DIY Christmas Candles
Transform your holiday decor with cozy Christmas candles you can make by hand. This charming cottage-style tutorial walks you through crafting festive, scented candles perfect for gifting or adding warmth to your holiday home.
Yield: 12 Candles
Cost: $5-$6 per candle *estimate
Equipment
- 1 Candle-making pitcher For melting and pouring wax safely and smoothly
- 1 Hot plate or stove A hot plate helps keep your kitchen mess-free while crafting
- 1 Kitchen thermometer Essential for checking wax temperature before adding oils
- 1 Silicone spatula or wooden stir stick For gently mixing in oils
- 1 Large Heat-safe silicone mat Protects your workspace from wax spills
- Set of Bamboo skewers or wick holders Helps center and hold your wicks while pouring
- 1 Scissors or wick trimmer To trim wicks to the perfect length
- Set of Clean glass jars 8 oz amber jars work beautifully for a cozy cottage look
Materials
- 10 lbs. of Soy Wax Flakes Or use beeswax or coconut wax
- 12 Cotton Candle Wicks Make sure the wick is the correct size for your containers
- Essential Oils of Your Choice or Frangrance Oils 45 drops per 8 ounce candle
- 12 Labels Free printable Sign UP Above in Post
Instructions
- Prepare Your Workspace: Lay down a heat-safe silicone mat or parchment paper to protect your work area from wax spills. Make sure your jars, tools, and wicks are all set out and within reach—having everything ready ahead of time makes this a relaxing and enjoyable process. *IN NOTES SECTION BELOW ARE THE COMPLETE SCENT FORMULAS!
- Secure the Wick: Place a cotton wick in the center of each jar. Wrap the top of the wick around a bamboo skewer or wick holder, resting it across the jar’s opening to keep the wick upright and centered. This step helps prevent drifting and uneven burns later on.
- Melt the Soy Wax: In a candle wax pitcher placed over a hot plate or double boiler, slowly melt the soy wax flakes. Stir occasionally and use a thermometer to monitor the temperature until it reaches 175°F. Heating too quickly or too hot can affect scent throw and texture.
- Cool and Add Essential Oils: Remove the wax from heat and let it cool to 135°F before adding your essential or fragrance oils. At this temperature, the wax is cool enough to preserve the scent’s strength but still fluid enough to mix well. Stir gently but thoroughly for at least 30 seconds using a clean skewer or stir stick.
- Pour the Wax: With a steady hand, carefully pour the scented wax into your prepared jars. Hold the wick in place as you pour, and leave about ½ inch of space from the top. Pour slowly to reduce air bubbles and ensure a smooth surface.
- Let the Candles Set: Place your candles in a cool, undisturbed area to set for at least 24 hours. Avoid moving or disturbing the jars while the wax hardens to prevent uneven surfaces or sinkholes.
- Trim the Wicks: Once the wax has fully cooled and set, trim each wick to about ¼ inch. This helps your candles burn cleaner and more evenly.
- Cure the Candles: Store the candles in a dark, cool place for at least one to two weeks before lighting or gifting. This curing time allows the wax and oils to fully bind, which improves both scent strength and burn quality.