How Do You Make Easy Christmas Candles?

Candles are a classic and extremely popular decoration during the holiday season. The warm, inviting glow of a candle helps create a cozy and festive atmosphere. Plus, the appealing scents of holiday candles, like pine, cinnamon, and peppermint, evoke beloved memories and traditions.

Homemade candles also make wonderful Christmas gifts. Handcrafted candles add a heartfelt personal touch to any present. Friends and family will appreciate the time, effort, and creativity that went into making custom, homemade candles just for them. The candles can be customized with festive shapes, scents, and decorations to match the recipient’s style and holiday spirit.

Making Christmas candles at home is easy, fun, and inexpensive. With just a few basic materials and simple steps, you can create gorgeous candles perfect for gifting or decorating. This guide will walk through everything you need to know, from gathering supplies to finishing touches.

Gather Materials

To make easy Christmas candles, you’ll first need to gather the necessary materials:

Beeswax or soy wax – The type of wax you use will depend on your preference. Beeswax gives candles a natural honey aroma and soy wax is often easier to work with.

Wicks – Make sure to get wicks designed for the type of wax you are using. The wick size determines how large the flame will be.

Fragrance oils or essential oils (optional) – Adding scented oils will give your candles a nice aroma, like pine or cinnamon for Christmas candles.

Double boiler – You’ll need this to melt the wax at the proper temperature.

Metal or silicone molds – The vessel that holds the wax while cooling into the candle shape.

Popsicle sticks – These help center the wick and remove wax drips.

Thermometer – To monitor the temperature of the melted wax.

Prepare Wax

The next step is preparing the wax. To do this:

• Chop the wax into small 1-inch pieces using a knife or wax cutter. This makes it easier to melt.
• Place the pieces of wax in a double boiler or metal bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Heat on low, stirring occasionally until completely melted.
• If desired, add a few drops of essential oil or candle fragrance once the wax is melted. Stir to incorporate. Different scents can be blended, but keep the total fragrance around 1-2% of your wax.
• Remove the wax from heat once it reaches the proper temperature. For pillar or votive candles, 180-190°F is ideal. Higher temperatures around 200°F are better for container candles. Check with a thermometer.

Melting the wax slowly and avoiding overheating will result in a better quality finished candle. Now the wax is prepared and ready for adding wicks!

Add Wicks

When candle making, it’s important to use the right type of wick for your wax. Wicks are made of different materials like cotton, wood, or paper that are braided or twisted together. The thickness and type of wick determines how fast it burns and whether it will create a full pool of melted wax and a bright flame when lit. For paraffin, soy, or beeswax candles, use a cotton or paper cored wick specifically made for that wax.

To add the wick, first secure it to the bottom of your candle mold or container using a hot glue gun. Make sure the wick is centered. Have the wick stick out about 1-2 inches above the top of the container so there is enough wick exposed to light. The wick length can be adjusted later if needed. Now you’re ready to pour in the wax!

Pour Wax

Once the wax is melted and mixed thoroughly, it’s time to carefully pour it into the candle molds. Make sure the wax is not too hot, generally between 150-165°F is ideal. Tilt and rotate the mold slightly to coat all sides as you pour.

After the initial pour, gently tap the sides of the mold on a towel-covered surface to help release any air bubbles. Air bubbles can leave holes in the finished candle, so this is an important step.

Let the wax cool slightly and begin to harden, usually about 1 hour. Then pour a second layer of wax to fill in any divots caused by air bubbles. This second pour helps ensure your candles have a smooth, flawless surface.

Create Layers

One fun way to decorate your Christmas candles is by creating colorful layers. To do this, start by pouring your first layer of wax and allowing it to fully harden. This may take an hour or more depending on the size of your candle mold. Once hardened, use a knife or spoon to gently scrape along the sides of the mold to remove any wax drips or uneven edges. This will create a smooth canvas for your next layer.

Next, decide which color wax you want to use for your second layer and prepare it as you did with the first. Slowly pour your second color over top the first layer, again filling the mold to capacity. Let this fully harden before moving on. The key is patience – you want each layer to fully set up before adding the next. Rushing this step can ruin the layered effect.

Continue alternating colors and scrapping the sides of the mold as you build up as many layers as you wish. Get creative with different color combinations. Once your final layer has hardened completely, you’re ready to unmold your now beautifully layered candle!

Adding Decorations

Once you’ve poured your first layer of wax into the candle mold, you can add fun decorations to give your homemade candles a unique, personalized touch. Some popular options include:

Pressed Flowers: Pick colorful flowers or greenery and gently press them into the top of the still-warm first layer of wax. The wax will hold them in place as it fully hardens. Pressed flowers give candles an elegant, natural decoration.

Dried Spices: Whole spices like cloves, allspice berries, star anise or cinnamon sticks add warmth and festive fragrance to Christmas candles. Press spices gently into the wax so they stand upright.

Glitter: Add sparkle by sprinkling glitter over the top of the first layer of wax. Choose big, chunky glitter or fine grains. Make sure any glitter you use is non-combustible to avoid potential fire hazards.

When choosing decorations, avoid anything that could catch fire, like dried leaves, paper or pine cones. Only add decorations to the first layer of wax so they don’t move or float when you pour additional layers. The decorations will remain visible through the sides of the finished candle, adding a special touch to your homemade Christmas gift.

Unmolding

Before attempting to unmold your candles, make sure you allow them to fully harden for 24-48 hours. This ensures the wax has completely set and makes it easier to remove the candles from the mold. Rushing the unmolding process may cause the candles to crack or break.

When you are ready to unmold, carefully turn the candle mold upside down onto a flat surface. Slowly peel the mold away from the sides and bottom of the candle. Apply even pressure as you lift the mold so you do not bend or warp the candles. Work slowly and patiently during this step.

If the candles feel stuck, you can place the mold in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes before unmolding. The cold temperatures will help shrink the outer layer of wax ever so slightly from the mold. Avoid putting the mold in the freezer as this can cause cracking.

Once unmolded, your homemade Christmas candles are ready for the finishing touches!

Finishing Touches

After your candles have fully set and hardened, it’s time to add the final details to complete your homemade Christmas candles. Here are some tips for finishing touches:

Trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch – Use sharp scissors to trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch length. This will help the candle burn evenly and prevent excess smoking.

Smooth any imperfections – Inspect the candle surface and use a knife to gently smooth any divots, air bubbles, or uneven wax. Be careful not to dig too deep.

Label and decorate – Personalize your Christmas candles by adding gift tags or attaching decorative embellishments. Tie raffia, ribbon, or twine around the jar and affix a label with the candle name or scent. Get creative with jars, ornaments, pine cones, and more!

Enjoy!

Making easy Christmas candles is a fun way to get into the holiday spirit and create beautiful decorations or homemade gifts. Once your candles are complete, be sure to store them properly by keeping them out of direct sunlight and away from any heat sources. Candles can be a fire hazard if not handled carefully.

If gifting your homemade candles, be sure to include a label with safety instructions like keeping away from children and pets, trimming the wick before each burn, not leaving candles unattended, and burning on a heat safe surface. You may also want to attach a decorative gift tag with a holiday greeting or message.

We hope you’ve enjoyed making these simple Christmas candles! The whole process allows you to unleash your creativity. Just remember to follow proper safety precautions when burning any candles in your home.