Peppermint Swirl Candle
A fun kid-made gift for Christmas with a peppermint twist, these Candy Cane Candles are super easy to make and smell amazing!
Peppermint Candle Craft
I love making homemade gifts for the holidays and it’s something that I’ve tried to instil in my daughter.
Thoughtful, homemade gifts are always a great choice and give children opportunities to be creative and gracious in their gift-giving. I also like giving gifts that people can “use up” and don’t create clutter, like Candied Pecans or Homemade Bath Bombs.
A couple Christmases ago, Ella and I made these delicious-smelling peppermint candles as a thoughtful teacher gift. She was so proud to wrap and bring these candy cane candles to school to give to each of her teachers.
We used a mixture of cleaned candle jars and pretty glass jars that I had saved from yogurts and sauces. You could also use mason jars for these homemade candles.
Of course, I hope it goes without saying that this craft requires:
- adult supervision
- a clean workspace
- knowing your child’s abilities
- care – especially with hot wax and essential oils
Ella and I made these candles when she was 7 years old. She had used the hot plate before for crayon wax crafts and often cooks on the stove with me, so I was comfortable knowing that she would be careful and mature with the materials in this craft.
The glasses that we used to melt the candle wax did not get hot during the crafting process, but if yours does, have a well-fitting oven glove on hand or consider using a small pot with a handle.
Materials for Peppermint Candles
- Soy Wax Flakes <– this kit comes with dye
- Peppermint Essential Oil or Flavor Extract <– essential oil will give a stronger smell but flavor extract will be cheaper and safer to handle
- Heatproof Glass Jars
- Candle Wicks
- Candle/Coffee Warmers
- Hot Pads
- Popsicle Sticks or Kebab Sticks, for stirring
- Red Candle Dye <– alternatively, you can use some red crayon wax shavings but I personally haven’t tried this and think the smell would overpower the peppermint smell. A shaved red wax melt may be a better choice.
Tip: you need two extra glass jars (or small pots with handles) to make the candles, in addition to the jars needed for the finished candles.
How to Make Peppermint Candles
Place a candle wick in each glass jar that you plan to use for your finished candles. Ensure your wicks are a couple inches longer than the final candle will be – you can always trim it down later.
Place the candle jars on a hot pad or heat-protected surface.
Place 1/4 cup of soy wax flakes in a heatproof glass jar or small pot with a handle. Add a few drops of essential oil or flavor extract.
Place the jar on the candle warmer and turn on.
Allow the wax flakes to melt, stirring occasionally with the kebab sticks to ensure even melting.
Once melted, carefully pour the melted wax into your prepared glass jars. Repeat this process, allowing each candle layer to set before adding on a new layer.
Alternate adding red and white layers of melted wax to the prepared candle jars. To make the red wax, add a few drops of red candle dye or shaved red wax melts.
Trim the wicks to your desired length before wrapping or using.
Pin this Easy Peppermint Candle Tutorial:
Grab your free printable for our candy cane candles craft:
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Peppermint Swirl Candle
A super easy candle that smells like candy canes and has a pretty peppermint twist look.
Materials
- Soy Wax Flakes
- Peppermint Essential Oil or Flavor Extract
- Heatproof Glass Jars
- Candle Wicks
- Red Candle Dye
Tools
- Candle/Coffee Warmers
- Hot Pads
- Popsicle Sticks or Kebab Sticks, for stirring
- Scissors
Instructions
- Place a candle wick in each glass jar that you plan to use for your finished candles. Ensure your wicks are a couple inches longer than the final candle will be - you can always trim it down later.
- Place the candle jars on a hot pad or heat-protected surface.
- Place 1/4 cup of soy wax flakes in a heatproof glass jar or small pot with a handle. Add a few drops of essential oil or flavor extract.
- Place the jar on the candle warmer and turn on.
- Allow the wax flakes to melt, stirring occasionally with the kebab sticks to ensure even melting.
- Once melted, carefully pour the melted wax into your prepared glass jars. Repeat this process, allowing each candle layer to set before adding on a new layer.
- Alternate adding red and white layers of melted wax to the prepared candle jars. To make the red wax, add a few drops of red candle dye or shaved red wax melts.
- Trim the wicks to your desired length before wrapping or using.
Notes
If you don't want to buy red candle dye, alternatively, you can use some red crayon wax shavings but I personally haven't tried this and think the smell would overpower the peppermint smell. A shaved red wax melt may be a better choice.
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I hope your family loves making these homemade peppermint candles – and that the gift giver appreciates all of the love that went into making them!
For more fun homemade gifts kids can make, check out our DIY Flower Pressed Candles or our DIY Mermaid Flower Pots.