The final Christmas craft of 2019, with how to make your own DIY Christmas candles, three different ways.

So, I know this is cutting it quite fine to Christmas day, but I wanted to squeeze another Christmas craft in before we reach 2020! Today’s post is all about how to make your own DIY Christmas candles, in three ways. Two of them in candle forms, which look a bit like a cup of coffee or latte, with the last way as wax melts.

I have previously made teacup candles and this is just another extension of trying out a bit of candle making with a Christmas twist.

DIY Christmas Candles – Chocolate Caramel Latte

Jumping straight in with a fancy looking candle that you can make at home, with the chocolate caramel latte candle. This candle is exactly what the title of it is. A candle that looks like a chocolate caramel latte, with cream and sprinkles on top.

What you will need:

To make one cup you will need the following items. If you wish to make more than one, then you will have to increase the amounts to suit.

• Latte or mulled wine style glass cups – I got mine from Home Bargains
• 160g Container soy wax for the candle and 100g for the topping
• 16g Fragrance oil – Spiced Chocolate Macaroons and 10g for the topping
• Candle colourant in brown
• Wax melting pot/jug
• Pre-waxed wick
• Foam glue dot to attach the wick
• Wick stabiliser
• Thermometer
• Glass heatproof bowl
• Whisk
• Spoon
• Wax shavings (keep reading to see how to make these)

Step 1 – Measure out and melt

For one candle you need 160g of the wax; however, if your cups differ in size then you will need to work out your wax. To do this, fill your chosen cup with water and measure this out into a measuring jug. This should give you a measurement in ml, which will be equal to the number of grams needed. You then need to minus 20% of this total to get the amount of wax you need.

With your fragrance oil, you need to calculate 10% of the total grams to get the number of grams needed to fragrance the candle. Hope that makes sense! My teacup candles post may explain this a bit better.

Then, using a wax melting pot or jug over a pan of hot water, begin to melt the soy wax. Add in the candle colourant to colour the wax. To get a deep brown colour you will have to add in a lot more of the colourant than I did. When the candle begins to set, the colour lightens and becomes more opaque because of the soy wax. I think you are supposed to properly measure out the colourant; Eroma has a great guide on this.

Whilst the wax is melting, prepare your latte or mulled wine glass cups with wicks. Make sure these are stuck in the centre of the bottom of the cup. Place on a wick stabiliser to keep the wick nice and straight whilst the wax cools and sets after pouring.

Step 2 – Add Fragrance

The temperature of adding fragrance to the melted was can vary. I often opt to add it in between 75°C – 80 °C as this enables a good hot and cold throw of the fragrance. When your wax reaches these temperatures, add in your fragrance oil and stir thoroughly for a few minutes. You want the fragrance oil to mix well into the melted wax.

I am using spiced chocolate macaroons fragrance oil, which has a chocolate, almond and sugary scent to it. You could use any fragrance oil that has similar notes to this; there are so many fragrances to choose from!

Step 3 – Pour and set

Now, the pouring temperature can be dependent on the wax you are using. Information of this should be supplied with the wax when you buy it. Mine states that the pouring point is between 50 °C – 70 °C. I often pour my candles when they reach about 60 °C to go for the middle point.

Pour your melted wax into the waiting latte cups and stabilise the wicks so they are straight. Allow these to cool and set before moving onto the next step of the whipped cream.

Step 4 – Add the topping

Before making the whipped cream like topping, you can make the ‘sprinkles’. Melt some soy wax, colouring this a caramel type colour. Pour this out into a square mould (a soap or chocolate making mould will do). Allow it to cool and set before using a cheese grater to grate it. These grated pieces will make up your sprinkles. You can also pour a think layer of the melted wax into the mould, and when it has set, break this into pieces that resemble pieces of caramel crack or bark.

When the candles have set, melt 100g of soy wax in a heatproof bowl over a pan of hot water (Bain Marie style). When the wax reaches the best temperature for adding in the fragrance oil, add in 10g of your chosen fragrance oil and combine.

Allow the wax to begin to cool and form a ‘skin’. Once it has formed this ‘skin’, grab your whisk and begin beating the wax until it is whipped cream consistency. This will happen fairly quickly as the wax cools. If it becomes too stiff to work with, gently heat it over the water again to allow it to melt slightly. Then, using a spoon, scoop it onto the top of your candle. Make sure the wick stays upright and central, building the whipped cream around it. Sprinkle on your grated toppings and your first DIY Christmas candle is complete!

Don’t forget to trim the wick down before giving away or lighting!

So there you have the first of the DIY Christmas candles of the post. What do you think?

DIY Christmas Candles – Gingerbread Latte

The next candle is very similar to the one above, however, it is in a different cup and with a different scent. You could always use an old teacup for this one too; I used old punch cups we haven’t used in years! As before the measurements of the items will vary, depending on what container for the candle you are using. I have added in my measurements, but these may differ from the amount you will need.

What you will need:

• Punch glass cups or teacup
• 120g Container soy wax
• 12g Fragrance oil – ‘Nutcracker’ by Candle Shack
• Candle colourant in varying colour to make ‘gingerbread’ colour
• Pre-waxed wicks
• Foam glue dots
• Candle making jug
• Wick stabiliser
• Thermometer
• Glass heatproof bowl
• Whisk
• Spoon
• Wax shavings

Step 1 – Melt the wax and colour

As before, work out the amount of wax you will need and melt it over a pan of hot water in a candle making jug. Add in your colourant as this is melting. I needed three different colours to get the shade i needed for the candle. This takes a bit of experimenting, as the shade the melted wax turns is not how the colour will set.

Whilst it is melting, stick your wicks into your chosen cups.

Step 2 – Add the fragrance

When the wax reaches the right temperature for adding fragrance, add in the fragrance oil. Stir and mix well. The fragrance oil I am using in this candle smells like gingerbread with a nutty after smell. I think it is one of my favourite fragrances that I have used in making candles.

Step 3 – Pour and allow to set

Again, when your wax reaches the right temperature, pour this out into the waiting cups. Place in the wick stabilisers to keep the wick straight and central in the candle whilst it sets.
Now, make sure you don’t do what I did and have the wax level higher than the stabiliser. My candles came out a bit of a mess, with the large imprint of the stabiliser. Oops!

If your candles set nice and smooth (as they are supposed to), without the imprint of the stabiliser then you can skip the next step. Your candles are ready to go. If you do want to add a bit extra, or cover up any mistakes in the top of your candle then move onto the next step.

Step 4 – Add topping

Like the first candle, meltdown 100g of wax in a heatproof bowl over a pan of water. Add in your fragrance when ready, and allow it to cool. Whisk when the skin has formed and until it represents whipped cream. Then scoop it onto the top of the candle, making sure the wick stays upright and central. Add of a few wax shavings to decorate. When set, trim the wick and either put on display or wrap as part of a Christmas gift.

So, there you have candle number two of the DIY Christmas Candle! What do you think?

DIY Christmas Candles – Cranberry Wax Melts

So this third way isn’t technically a candle, but it is made of wax and emits fragrance when it is melted. I like to call them flameless candles. Wax melts are great for fragrancing your home, and there are some really pretty wax burners out there. Apparently, you also get more burn time from a wax melt than you do a candle, which means you can enjoy the fragrance for longer. Winner!

What you need:

So, to make these wax melts you are going to need the following. I, again have added my measurements, but again it will depend on the type of mould that you use.

• 160g Soy Pillar candle wax
• 16g fragrance oil – ‘Festive Cranberry’ by Candle Shack
• Candle colourant – red
• Candle making jug
• Chocolate mould or festive sweet mould
• Thermometer

Step 1 – Measure and melt

To make wax melts, you need to use a different wax base for making pillar candles. This means that you will be able to remove them easily from the mould and the melts hold their shape. Use the same method for measuring out the wax needed above by placing water into the mould and measuring it out.
Make sure the mould is fully dry before placing in any melted wax though!

Once you have your amount, melt this in the candle making jug over a pan of hot water. Add in a red wax colour and allow it to melt with the soy wax. Use more of the colour for a more vibrant red.

Step 2 – Add fragrance

Again, when your wax is at the right temperature, add in your fragrance. I am using Festive cranberry, which has a lovely fruity berry smell to it. Definitely a Christmas berry scent! Mix this in thoroughly for a few minutes to make sure the fragrance oil sticks to the melted wax. You want this wax melts to pack a punch with the fragrance.

I also made two more batches of wax melts using different fragrances – ‘Gingerbread’ and ‘Witches Brew’, both from Candle Shack. The Gingerbread fragrance is self-explanatory (I think), but the Witches brew fragrance is a bit harder to describe. I think it smells like apple pie and custard, but others think it smells more like toasted almonds.

Step 3 – Pour into the mould

Allow the wax to reach its pouring temperature, and then pour into your moulds. I am using a Rolo type chocolate mould for this one; however, I did also use some festive shaped moulds too for the other fragrances. Allow these to cool and set before removing. You may find that the wax starts to melt if you hold them in a warm hand for too long.

All that’s left to do is pop them in your wax burner to enjoy the fragrance, or package them up nicely to give away as gifts. How easy are they to make?

There you have the third way of making DIY Christmas Candles!

Which one did you prefer the best? Would you keep them all to yourself or give them away?
Let me know in the comments below!

**Aimsy’s Antics holds no responsibility for the making of your candles. This post is intended for advice and inspiration only, and other research should be conducted to make sure you are using the correct items to make the candles safely. Always follow the guidance on the ingredients you are using. **

DIY Christmas Candles Video:

See below for the video tutorial version of this post!

DIY Christmas Candles – Pin It!

• 

• 

•