Is it just me or is the candle aisle at Target some kind of magic? I could spend hours wandering up and down the aisle looking at all the containers, trying out different scents and basically envisioning my home illuminated by nothing but candlelight. Magic, I say!
Then I look at the price tag and it’s lights out (see what I did there?) I can hardly afford one candle this time of year much less a house full, so here we are, making our own. Since you can buy supplies in bulk, it makes candle hoarding that much more affordable. It also lets you go buck wild with an assortment of colors and scents.
These DIY holiday candles kick things up a notch, giving you a pretty color and fresh scent with each layer, so it’s just like getting three candles for the price of one.
DIY Holiday Candles
Holiday scents never get tired. Ginger, sweet orange, cedarwood and balsam fir make any home feel warm and cozy. And as an added bonus, they make your house smell fresh, which will trick guests into thinking you just cleaned.
As these layered-scent candles burn, they slowly unveil a new scent with each layer so they never feel stale or give you that overpowering scent headache. Just as you get used to one, there’s suddenly a new one to enjoy.
As for the colors, I tried making these with fancy candle dye at first. Then I splurged on a $2.99 box of crayons which I ended up liking a lot better. The weirdo that I am, I wanted the perfect shade of rust red and moss green, and the array of crayon colors was more classic than the fluorescent wax dye I had been using.
They were also easier to mix into the melted wax so I could blend my own shades. So, if you love the idea of coloring your DIY holiday candles, I recommend using crayons. If not, skip them entirely and you’ll still be able to enjoy the different scents as your candles burn without having to obsess over colors.
Here’s how to make your own DIY holiday candles.
Supplies
- Soy wax flakes
- Essential oils (I used 20 drops of ginger | sweet orange + cedarwood | balsam fir for each layer)
- Candle wicks
- Crayons
- Small sauce pan
- Candle making pitcher or clean aluminum can
- Tape, string or clothespin to hold the wick in place
- Jars or cups
1. Place about 1 cup wax flakes in the candle making pitcher. Place it in your saucepan and fill the pan with 1-2 inches of water.
Place the saucepan on the stove and melt wax over low-medium heat. Work in small batches because you’ll need each layer to cool completely before adding the next.
2. When the wax has melted, add pieces of crayon (the more crayon you add, the darker the color will be) until you get the perfect shade. Remember that the shade will lighten as the wax cools so don’t be afraid to add too much. Stir the wax to disperse the color.
3. Remove the wax from the burner and let it cool for a few minutes before adding your essential oils.
4. Place the wick in the bottom of the jar and hold it in place with tape, string or a clothespin. Pour the first layer of wax into the jar and let cool completely.
To speed up the process, you can place them in the fridge, but I recommend cooling them at room temperature to prevent bubbling and cracking.
5. Repeat the process with the other layers and scents, allowing each one to cool completely before adding the next.
6. Trim the wicks before lighting.
For more DIY holiday candles, check out the candle archives.
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Nice holiday idea – hard to find the small heat-proof glass jars though
You can always reuse old candle jars
Very sweet
Didn’t know you could use crayon wax with soya wax?
I guess they are not vegetarian/ vegan friendly with crayon wax?
Cas, I’m actually not sure what kind of wax they use in crayons, so I can’t answer that with certainty, but you could be right! (I will do some checking to see!) There are other ways to color the wax that would keep them vegan.
I just looked around. It seems like the issue is more with the pigments used in crayons than the wax itself, which is typically paraffin. I think vegetarian soy wax crayons would be a good replacement.
Can you use paraffin wax instead of soy or beeswax?
It’s Beng Averilla not Bengal
Yes, you can!
I saw on one thread that crayon pigments can clog the wick as you burn candles
I’ve attempted to make these candles using soy wax and crayons, but my candles never stayed lit. Someone told me to use the cheapest crayons to reach the best burning possible. Haven’t tried that suggestion yet. Has anyone had similar issues with their candles not burning when colored with crayons?
I have been told that the wax in the crayon clogs up the wick resulting in it not burning properly
My candles tunnel and then go out. I have to keep poring out the melted wax to keep a mediocre flame. I’m going to try the soy wax without the crayon tonight.
Omg yes, it wouldn’t burn at all!
I absolutely adore this idea. I used wax crayons to make lipsticks with coconut oil and essential oil, but I am forever getting the consistency wrong! However, I have just ordered myself a kilo of soy wax flakes, so im hoping my candle making skills aren’t too shabby! xmas prezzies here I come!
I had no idea that candle making was so easy! I have GOT to make some of these and stop wasting money on expensive candles.
Layered candles are such a great twist on a fantastic project. They always make such great gifts =)
wondering if baby food jars would be heat resistant…..
I’m not 100% sure, but I’m thinking yes! They would be super cute in baby food jars!
You can use baby food jars as they are microwave proof
Wouldn’t the scents mix together?
They kind of do evenutally, but it’s not a bad thing. 🙂
How do u clean the pot after using?
thx
I seen that you never got a reply to this! An easy way to clean your wax pot is to clean it ASAP after pouring. If not, just put the pot back in your double boiler re-melt the wax – use a paper towel to remove as much of the liquid wax as possible – use another to wipe out the pot really good – last you can use rubbing alcohol and paper towels to wipe it out completely and it also helps remove any lingering scents/fragrance oils! BEST way to clean your pots that I’ve found, if you have the actual pouring pitchers/pots….DON’T use soap and water bc any water left in your pot will make them rust and then they are ruined!!! The alcohol not only removes left over scents it will also evaporate any moisture left to prevent rusting! Hope that helps!
-Vicki W.
MoonWick Candles, Llc.
There are “higher octane” rubbing alcohols that evaporate quicker. Not all stores carry it but not hard to find. The dollar store ones are typically like 70% and the higher are 91%. I find it at Walgreen and sometimes Wal-Mart. I buy it to make a homemade wrinkle releaser spray so the liquid sprayed on clothes evaporates quickly. I mention because cleaning with the 91% alcohol would have the tools dry quicker / evaporation is quicker and thus less likely to rust and be ruined
Hi there, I love your idea so much, can i just showcase this idea to my DIY collection on my blog, if you allow me to do so. i will link back to your blog post. Thanks in advance
Where to you purchase the wax flakes?
I got them from Hobby Lobby. Most large craft stores should have them in their candle section, or you can also find them online.
Thank you for such a beautiful idea! Can’t wait to start giving these a go 🙂
Hi, great resource ! I got them from White Paris Luxury.
Can you use beeswax pellets instead of soy?
You can, but beeswax has a stronger natural scent than soy so you might not get the same effect with the layered scents.
Did not work flame was dieing and wax was bubbling
SO how long does this process take? Does it take a while for the wax to completely cool before adding the next layer?
Amazing idea and very good realization.
I daily find so interesting and inspirational thing in your blog.
Thansk a lot for sharing with us.
matrimoni a Varese e Milano
cheers
So crayons mixed with wax…I want to try this.
Hi can we gt more detail about colouring the wax without using crayons? I find they didn’t burn as well as they should, and the paraffin in crayons is not great…so just some explanations on what kind of liquid drops? and what are wax colour dye chips ?THanks for the info great ideas keep em coming !!
A very inspiring and amazing idea to prepare outstanding XMax presentes for my friends.
Thanks a lot for the inspiration.
Consulente d’immagine e di stile
Cheers
I’m thinking of what to give away for Christmas and coming across this article is just perfect! This step-by-step process is very helpful. Will make sure to apply this. Thank you!
Wow! This is great post for someone like me who loves candle very much. Thanks LINDSEY for sharing your innovation.
I love candle too.
“LAYERED SCENT HOLIDAY CANDLES” like it.
Baby food jars work great! My granddaughter’s baby food jars were saved for this very purpose. I have a large sheet of candle wax and candle color blocks. I met the wax in the microwave in a glass measuring cup purchased for this very purpose. To begin I line up my jars and put the wicks in. I melt my wax with chips of the color that will match the scent I’m going to use. I don’t put my scent in until everything is in liquid state. I have been filling the jar with the one scent but I love the layering idea. I cap the jars immediately after filling which creates a seal. I am SO going to do this! Thank you!
I love this idea, but I do have a question. I have read in several places on the internet that crayons are not to be used for coloring soy wax because it interfers with the burning process. So my question is, with you using crayons to color, how does this affect the scent and the burning?
I haven’t tried crayons. However, I saved a lot of money by buying an assorted color dye pack on Amazon. The price was unbeatable and it lasted long.
Crayons cannot be used in making candles. Your wick will get clogged and
Not burn correctly. It’s a super cute idea though. Also, you must test your
wick to see that it’s the correct size. Too small, it will tunnel , too large and
the flame will be too large and the glass can crack. Ask me how I know 🙁
I love candles and I pay good money for the ones I order. I’m going to try your idea. Thank you so much. Have a wonderful holiday season!
I appreciate how you said that you need jars and wax to start making a candle. I also like how you said that you may need to cut the wicks down as well. My husband and I are looking into candle making supplies so we can make out own to give to our neighbors and presents.
Very Very nice Diy. I did the came thing but with a different look. What i did was i used slope to make a little wave shape. Check it out : http://hacksdiys.com/home-living/decoration/making-colorful-candles-with-crayons-at-home-instructions/
Never ever use crayons to color candle wax… I’m a candle maker I own a business. Crayons are not mention to be candles they contain chemicals . Crayons clog up the wicked causing a fire risk. Hobby lobby sells candle dye it’s 3.99
I haveva question do the colours mix together while burning or do they stay separate?
Very good idea. I’m going to try your recomendations. Only it’s bad that some of your photos are dissapeared. I like photos on your blog.
Great idea and design. You have such cool blog ideas. I like to try out myself. Thank you for sharing the information.
Jars with baby food cool applied. You can say – this is the second life for jars. and such candles are great gift ideas for friends and neighbors.