The Holidays are a time that are filled with lots of different aromas; from the Christmas tree to Christmas fare, the Holidays are a delight to the senses! If you would like to make your own Holiday decor, using natural scents, try this easy-to-make Holiday candle, made from just two simple ingredients*.
* Note: You will also need other equipment to make the candles.
Soy Wax Holiday Candles
Natural candles are usually made from either beeswax or soy wax. The benefits of a natural-made candle are many when compared to petroleum-based, store-bought candles. Candles made from soy wax are more environmentally friendly, burn cleaner and longer, and are made from a plant-derived source.
This article will look at how to make a Holiday candle with soy wax as the base.
Essential Oil Holiday Candles
Holiday candles that are scented with essential oils emit a more natural, and healthier, aroma than those which use fragrance oils. Essential oils are derived from plants and contain the properties of the plant from which they were derived (1).
Not all essential oils are good to use when candle making. Some scents last longer than others; in general, citrus top notes will evaporate rapidly and a large quantity of essential oil is needed. Base note essential oils last longer but, due to the expensive nature of many base note oils, they may be cost-prohibitive for candle making. Other aromas which hold well (in my experience) with making candles from soy wax include peppermint (Mentha x piperita), coffee bean, cacao absolute, and vanilla (Vanilla planifolia).
What You Will Need to Make a Holiday Candle with Essential Oils
You will need just two ingredients to make a soy wax Holiday candle:
- soy wax
- essential oils
Quantities of these ingredients will vary depending upon the size and quantity of candles you wish to make.
In general, I have found that you will need between 15 – 25 drops per one ounce of completed candle. The weight of the completed candle is usually different to the amount of raw soy wax that you will need to make the candle; average 0.75 ounce of raw soy wax to one ounce of completed candle.
How to Make a Soy Candle with Essential Oils
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Add the required amount of soy wax to a heatproof container.
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Fill a pan with water and place it on the stove.
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Add the container containing the soy wax to the water (like in the bain marie method); do not empty the contents into the water.
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As the water heats up, the wax will start to melt. Keep the temperature of the wax below 170F to avoid bubbling in the wax; use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature.
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Once the wax is fully melted, take it off the heat.
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Quickly add the required amount of essential oils.
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Stir the mixture.
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Pour the mixture into appropriate candle molds/containers with wicks prepared.
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Leave the candles to set; do not move until the candles are fully set to avoid cracking.
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Once set, remove the candles from the molds (if appropriate). Light, and enjoy!
References:
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University of Maryland Medical Center, Aromatherapy, accessed November 23, 2015: https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/treatment/aromatherapy
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A decade of the international training and experience of a certified aromatherapist.
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