Diy Christmas candles are made using natural ingredients and scented with essential oils for a healthier cozier home. Using essential oils in candles is a wonderful way to receive aromatherapy benefits and purify the air in your home.
I love making homemade gifts using essential oils. Everyone loves them; they are practical and very thoughtful. Making up a simple Christmas gift basket is by far my favorite way to give presents during the holidays or for birthdays. I’ll usually make two or three different recipes to add to the basket, then, depending on the season, add in a candle or two for a unique finishing touch.
Adding essential oils to candles is a great way to scent the candles without using synthetics or artificial fragrances. Candle-making may seem intimidating at first, but contrary to popular belief, it is actually a straightforward process and will make an excellent present for anyone on your list this year. The two candle DIY methods shared here will be the easiest candles to make and are the perfect Christmas blends to add to your holiday season.
The beauty of DIY Christmas essential oil candles is that you can customize the scent however you want. I love to add my favorite Christmas blends for a festive holiday scent this time of year.
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Scenting Christmas Candles
Essential oils are very concentrated. When using a diffuser to disperse oils, 5-8 drops will generally be more than enough. However, this is not the case when it comes to candles. When mixed with soy wax or beeswax, the concentration of essential oils, compared to artificial fragrances, will need to be at least doubled or even tripled in some cases to get the same scent.
I recommend using 15-25 drops of essential oil in a 4-ounce candle. This amount, in general, seems to release the perfect amount of Christmas scent to fill the air. Adjust the amount of oils for your preference. When in doubt, use less.
One more note on scented candles: I’ve had people reach out to me for alternative ways to scent candles, so they don’t have to use so much oil. A simple alternative to adding essential oils to your homemade candles is to leave them unscented altogether.
Then, run a diffuser in your home to get the scent you desire while the candle gives off the cozy warm feel we all have come to love. Diffusers only need a couple of drops of oils, compared to an 8 oz candle which calls for 40 drops.
ESSENTIAL OILS IN CANDLES
Any essential oil can be used to scent your homemade Christmas candles. It really just depends on preference and the scent you are going for. Make a blend of essential oils or use a single oil.
Some essential oil brands are stronger than others, so the number of oils you use may need to be adjusted accordingly. For example, if you make a candle and feel it is not strong enough, you can remelt the wax, add more essential oils, then let it cure again.
Some of the most popular essential oils to use in candle making are rosemary, wild orange, lavender, grapefruit, lemon, clove, and cinnamon.
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DIY ESSENTIAL OIL CANDLES
INGREDIENTS
1 pound beeswax
1/2 cup coconut oil
6 mason jars, 4 oz (or 3, 1/2 pint mason jars )
Metal pitcher or old coffee tin
Large pot that will fit your metal pitcher (or metal container you are using)
Bamboo Skewers or pencils
Essential oils (my favorite combinations are listed below)
INSTRUCTIONS
Add the beeswax to a metal pitcher or metal can. I suggest using a metal container, old popcorn tin, or similar that can be thrown away or set aside exclusively for candle making. Cleaning wax out of dishes is next to impossible.
Place the metal container into a large pot of water and bring to a boil. (Basically a makeshift double boiler) Reduce heat to medium and occasionally stir until beeswax is melted. Take care to ensure no water splashes into the beeswax container.
Once the beeswax is completely melted, remove from heat and stir in the coconut oil. (The coconut oil will help the beeswax burn slower, making the candle last longer).
Secure a wick at the bottom of the mason jar with a bit of glue and then fill with the melted wax and coconut oil. Leave about an inch of room at the top of the jar.
If using essential oils, add 15-30 drops of essential oils into each 4-ounce jar.
Finally, using a pencil or bamboo skewer, lay it horizontally across the top of the jar. Wrap the wick around the skewer to center it in the candle.
The wax will take about 24-48 hours to fully harden; after that, trim the wick down to 1/2″ and it is ready to light.
RECIPE NOTES
This recipe will make 6 4-ounce candles.
You can add more or less essential oils according to your preference.
Soy wax can be substituted for beeswax.
Using boiling water and paper cloth is the best way to clean wax off any utensils and supplies used to make your candles.
Don’t let any wax get down your sink drain!
HOW TO MAKE CANDLES IN THE SLOW COOKER
Another great way to make your candles is in a slow cooker. This option takes a little longer but requires zero clean-up.
INGREDIENTS
Soy wax or beeswax
Mason jars
Bamboo Skewers or pencils
Essential oils (my favorite combinations are listed below)
Slow cooker
INSTRUCTIONS
Fill the mason jars with wax all the way to the top of the jar.
Pour water into the slow cooker—about 2-inches, covering the bottom of the pot.
Place the mason jars of wax in the slow cooker.
Set the cooker on high with the lid in place.
Keep an eye on the wax; you may need to top it off with more as it melts.
Once all the wax is melted, carefully remove candles from the slow cooker.
Let it cool slightly, then add 15-30 drops of essential oils into each 4-ounce jar.
Feed a wick into the center of the candle, using a pencil or bamboo skewer, wrap the wick around its center, and lay horizontally across the top of the jar.
Allow the wax to cure at least 24-48 hours before trimming the wick and lighting.
HOMEMADE CHRISTMAS CANDLES WITH ESSENTIAL OILS BLENDS
Candles make the perfect gift for anyone on your list, and they are so simple to make. You can get really creative by picking a cute Christmas mug to make your candle in or by decorating a mason jar.
BEST ESSENTIAL OIL CHRISTMAS BLENDS FOR CANDLES
PEPPERMINT CANDY
10 drops peppermint
10 drops wild orange
5 drops grapefruit
MERRY AND BRIGHT
10 drops lemon
5 drops wild orange
5 drops cinnamon
5 drops Douglas fir
SPICED CIDER
10 drops cinnamon
7 drops clove
5 drops cardamon
3 drops wild orange
TREE FARM
10 drops Siberian Fir
10 drops cypress
5 drops cedarwood
TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS
10 drops clove
10 drops cinnamon
5 drops frankincense
CONTAINERS FOR DIY CANDLE MAKING
Anything that is safe to burn in is acceptable for making your candles in. This is the fun part and you can get very creative with this! Head to the local thrift store or your grandma’s basement to find the perfect container for your homemade Christmas candles.
A simple mason jar or a coffee mug works perfectly! Make sure the container you choose is heat-resistant and fire-safe.
WHAT KIND OF WAX IS BEST FOR DIY CHRISTMAS CANDLES?
Several different kinds of wax will work well when making your own candles. I prefer to use beeswax or soy wax.
However, I do use soy wax for my rosemary mint candles and hand-dipped candles.
Similar Posts
- Christmas Soap Bars
- Paleo Christmas Cookies
- Beeswax Candle Melts
- Honey Vanilla Candles
- Simple Beeswax Candles
DIY Christmas Candles
Making your own candles with natural ingredients and essential oils is a much healthier way to cozy up your home. Learn how to make the easiest candles and the best Christmas blends to add to them for this holiday season.
Materials
- 1 pound beeswax
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 6 4-ounce mason jars
- Candle wicks
- 10 drops Siberian Fir
- 10 drops cypress
- 5 drops cedarwood
Tools
- Metal pitcher
- Large pot
- Bamboo Skewers or pencils
Instructions
- Add beeswax to the metal container.
- Place the metal container into the large pot of water and bring to a boil. (Basically a makeshift double boiler) Reduce heat to medium and occasionally stir until beeswax is melted. Take care to ensure no water splashes into the beeswax container.
- Once the beeswax is melted, remove from heat and stir in the coconut oil.
- If using essential oils, add 15-30 drops of essential oils into each 4-ounce jar.
- Lay the bamboo skewer or pencil horizontally across the top of the jar. Wrap the wick around the skewer to center it in the candle.
- Once the wax has cured, trim the wick down to 1/2 inch before lighting it.
Notes
- This recipe will make 6 4-ounce candles.
- You can add more or less essential oils according to your preference.
- Soy wax can be substituted for beeswax.
- Using boiling water and a paper cloth is the best way to clean wax off of any utensils and supplies used to make your candles.
Erin says
If you’re making the candles with the slow cooker, when would you add the coconut oil?
Laura says
Same time as you add the wax. 🙂
Susan says
I noticed in the video when you added the wicks they didn’t touch the bottom. They seemed half inch from bottom.
I’m new to making candles and trying to get my wicks to touch and stay at the bottom is always a struggle. Seems if they don’t you would be wasting wax ??
Laura says
You can get longer wicks or shorter containers to make them reach the bottom. Also, you can secure them to the bottom with a little glue before adding the melted wax.
Deborah says
Thank you for this great tutorial!
I was wondering if I could add little petals of flowers and if so,
at one point during the process I would be able to add them. Thank You!
Deborah
Laura says
I have never added flowers to candles before, I need to check into that!
Raven says
Have you ever used wooden wicks with these? Thank you!
Firdaus says
Thank you I will try it