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Homemade Candles

Need a handmade Christmas gift idea? You won’t believe how easy it is to make all-natural homemade candles!
Prep Time5 minutes
Active Time20 minutes
Additional Time3 hours
Total Time3 hours 25 minutes
Course: Handmade Gifts
Yield: 3 candles

Equipment

  • Printer
  • Scissors

Materials

  • 1 lb 4 cups beeswax pellets
  • candle wicks
  • essential oils sweet orange, clove, spruce
  • glass jars
  • free printable gift tags

Instructions

  • Pour 4 cups of beeswax into a mason jar or Pyrex measuring cup.
    Use something that you don’t mind dedicating to your craft closet, as it will be difficult to get whatever you use here clean again.
    If you want a more efficient way to melt larger amounts of wax, you could also use a crockpot liner for an easy cleanup.
  • Microwave the wax in 2-3 minute increments. Stirring between. Similarly to melting chocolate. It should take about 9 minutes total.
    If you're doing this for the first time, using a double boiler is the easiest way to melt your wax if you don't have a microwave. A melting pot is another good option if you want to invest in a candle-making kit.
  • Once the wax is completely melted, add essential oils of choice. I used 40 drops sweet orange, 10 drops spruce, and 5 drops clove.
    Remember, the amount of wax used should complement the amount of oil—too much oil can overwhelm the scent. 
  • Set out the candle molds you’d like to use. I used glass Weck jars.
    You could also get creative by using tea cups or nice jars you find at thrift stores for a more vintage vibe.
  • Add the candle wicks to the glass jars. To do so, dip the metal part of the wick into the melted wax. Place the metal end of the wick into the center of the candle mold, holding into place until the wax dried.
    You can use a wick sticker for additional support if needed.
  • Add candle wick stabilizers. Tape two skewers together on each end, leaving the center open. Carefully slide the skewers over the wick so that the skewers rest at the top of the candle mold, holding the wick in place. Do not pull on the wick, it will come off of the glass. If this happens, just repeat step 5.
  • Once the wick & skewers are in place, pour the wax into each mold. Set aside to harden.
    Make sure you use the right amount of wax so that it fills the container to the desired level without overflowing. You can always adjust by adding more wax later if needed. If you're worried about air bubbles, let the wax mixture cool slightly before pouring it into the jars.
  • Once hardened, remove the skewers and trim the wick!
    Leave about half an inch of excess wick at the top to ensure a clean burn. Wax cool is essential, so allow it to set fully before trimming the wick. This ensures that the wax hardens evenly and reduces any mess.
  • Add ribbon & a cute label, and give to friends & family!