Don’t you just love how warm and cozy your house feels at Christmastime? And how it always smells so good — like warm cookies and fresh Christmas trees? Candles can give your home that Christmas feel and smell. And if your church has a candlelight service, you know that candles also add beauty and fun to Christmas Eve!
But candles are even more useful for kids who live in homes without electricity. Some sponsored kids who don’t have electricity use candles or oil lamps to light their way after dark. The light helps them read, do homework and see where they are walking.
Imagine what it would be like to live without electricity while you make these Christmas candles! They will help make your home will feel even cozier and smell even more wonderful.
Note: Candlemaking supplies can be found in craft stores or online. Make sure to read all the directions first with an adult before starting your candlemaking craft!
Supplies
- 4 recycled baby-food jars or half-pint canning jars
- hot glue gun or super glue
- candle wicks
- 1 ice pop stick per candle
- about 3 c. soy wax flakes or pellets
- double boiler OR a glass measuring cup and saucepan
- wooden spoon
- cooking thermometer
- essential oils such as frankincense, pine and peppermint
- acrylic paints, ribbons, glue or other decorations for the jar lids (optional)
Step 1
Adult help needed. Attach a wick in each jar by gluing it to the bottom with a hot glue gun or super glue. Let the glue dry, then wind the top of the wick around an ice pop stick to keep it upright while you work.
Step 2
Start with about 3 cups of wax flakes. Ask an adult to help you melt the wax in a double boiler. If you don’t have a double boiler, just place a glass measuring cup filled with wax inside a saucepan with a few inches of boiling water. Heat the wax to 180 degrees to melt completely, breaking up chunks with a wooden spoon if needed. Then remove it from the heat. Make sure to NEVER touch the wax — it gets VERY hot. Ouch!
Step 3
Let the wax cool for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the wax reaches 120 degrees. Then it's time to add the scented oil (If you add it when the wax is too hot, you won't be able to smell it). Start by adding about 75 drops of essential oils to the wax, adding more for a stronger scent.
Step 4
Then pour melted wax into your jars until they're mostly full. Wait for the wax to cool, at least 2 hours. You can use this time to decorate the lids of your jars! Once the wax has cooled, cut the wicks. Place the candles in windows around your house to make it look and smell warm and Christmasy!
Supplies
- 4 recycled baby-food jars or half-pint canning jars
- hot glue gun or super glue
- candle wicks
- 1 ice pop stick per candle
- about 3 c. soy wax flakes or pellets
- double boiler OR a glass measuring cup and saucepan
- wooden spoon
- cooking thermometer
- essential oils such as frankincense, pine and peppermint
- acrylic paints, ribbons, glue or other decorations for the jar lids (optional)
Step 1
Adult help needed. Attach a wick in each jar by gluing it to the bottom with a hot glue gun or super glue. Let the glue dry, then wind the top of the wick around an ice pop stick to keep it upright while you work.
Step 2
Start with about 3 cups of wax flakes. Ask an adult to help you melt the wax in a double boiler. If you don’t have a double boiler, just place a glass measuring cup filled with wax inside a saucepan with a few inches of boiling water. Heat the wax to 180 degrees to melt completely, breaking up chunks with a wooden spoon if needed. Then remove it from the heat. Make sure to NEVER touch the wax — it gets VERY hot. Ouch!
Step 3
Let the wax cool for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the wax reaches 120 degrees. Then it's time to add the scented oil (If you add it when the wax is too hot, you won't be able to smell it). Start by adding about 75 drops of essential oils to the wax, adding more for a stronger scent.
Step 4
Then pour melted wax into your jars until they're mostly full. Wait for the wax to cool, at least 2 hours. You can use this time to decorate the lids of your jars! Once the wax has cooled, cut the wicks. Place the candles in windows around your house to make it look and smell warm and Christmasy!
Supplies
- 4 recycled baby-food jars or half-pint canning jars
- hot glue gun or super glue
- candle wicks
- 1 ice pop stick per candle
- about 3 c. soy wax flakes or pellets
- double boiler OR a glass measuring cup and saucepan
- wooden spoon
- cooking thermometer
- essential oils such as frankincense, pine and peppermint
- acrylic paints, ribbons, glue or other decorations for the jar lids (optional)
Step 1
Adult help needed. Attach a wick in each jar by gluing it to the bottom with a hot glue gun or super glue. Let the glue dry, then wind the top of the wick around an ice pop stick to keep it upright while you work.
Step 2
Start with about 3 cups of wax flakes. Ask an adult to help you melt the wax in a double boiler. If you don’t have a double boiler, just place a glass measuring cup filled with wax inside a saucepan with a few inches of boiling water. Heat the wax to 180 degrees to melt completely, breaking up chunks with a wooden spoon if needed. Then remove it from the heat. Make sure to NEVER touch the wax — it gets VERY hot. Ouch!
Step 3
Let the wax cool for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the wax reaches 120 degrees. Then it's time to add the scented oil (If you add it when the wax is too hot, you won't be able to smell it). Start by adding about 75 drops of essential oils to the wax, adding more for a stronger scent.
Step 4
Then pour melted wax into your jars until they're mostly full. Wait for the wax to cool, at least 2 hours. You can use this time to decorate the lids of your jars! Once the wax has cooled, cut the wicks. Place the candles in windows around your house to make it look and smell warm and Christmasy!
Safety tip:
Never light a candle without an adult’s help, and never leave a candle unattended!
Pro tips:
- For extra scent, soak the wick in the same essential oils you mix into the wax! After soaking a wick, dip it once or twice in hot wax and let it dry before gluing it in the jar.
- Secondhand thrift stores might have jars you could reuse!
- For colored candles, you can buy candle dye (food coloring doesn't work).
- Add glitter when you add essential oils to the wax.
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