Make Your Own Scented Holiday Candles

Bring the scents of the season into your home with these easy-to-make candles.

Three Holiday Candles With Plaid Ribbon, Twine and Gift Tags

DIY Essential Oil Candles

Bring in the scents of the season into your home with these easy-to-make candles.

Photo by: Jason Kisner

Jason Kisner

Materials Needed

Yield: 1 candle

  • small glass jar
  • wooden dowel
  • wick
  • glue dot
  • soy wax flakes
  • essential oil (in desired scents)
  • double boiler
  • pot holder
  • thermometer
  • scissors

Melt Wax Flakes

Start by filling the glass jar twice with your wax flakes to ensure there is enough wax for the candle. Using a double broiler, melt down the soy wax flakes (Image 1). Stir with a wooden dowel until completely liquefied (Image 2) — about 180 degrees F.

Let Cool

Allow the wax to cool down to 100 degrees F (Image 1). This helps prevent the candle from cracking as it solidifies. While cooling, attach a wick to the bottom of the jar using a glue dot (Image 2). Twist a wooden dowel around the wick to help keep the wick upright when pouring the wax into the jar (Image 3).

Add Essential Oils

Mix your essential oils into the wax. For an evergreen tree scent, combine 10 drops of balsam fir needle and 5 drops of eucalyptus. For a spiced cider scent, combine 10 drops of sweet orange and 5 drops of clove bud. For a snickerdoodle scent, combine 10 drops of vanilla and 5 drops of cinnamon.

Adding Essential Oils Into Melted Soy Wax

Mix Essential Oils Into Wax

Mix in your essential oils of choice into the wax. For a holiday tree scent, combine 10 drops of balsam fir needle and 5 drops of eucalyptus. For a spiced cider scent, combine 10 drops of sweet orange and 5 drops of clove bud. For a snickerdoodle scent, combine 10 drops of vanilla and 5 drops of cinnamon.

Photo by: Jason Kisner

Jason Kisner

Pour Scented Wax

Carefully pour the wax into the jar (Image 1). Allow to sit for 24 hours (Image 2). Use scissors to cut the wick.

Decorate the Jar

Now your candle is ready for gifting. Add a piece of plaid ribbon around the lip of the jar and finish with a gift tag and the name of the scent for a fun, festive touch.

DIY Holiday Tree Candle With Plaid Ribbon, Twine and Gift Tag

DIY Essential Oils Candle

Now your candle is ready for gifting. Add a piece of plaid ribbon around the lip of the jar and finish with a gift tag with the name of the scent for a fun, festive touch.

Photo by: Jason Kisner

Jason Kisner

Make It Bright

Easy and budget-friendly, these DIY candles make perfect gifts for co-workers, friends and family.

Three Holiday Candles With Plaid Ribbon, Twine and Gift Tags

DIY Essential Oil Candles

Easy and budget-friendly, these DIY candles make perfect gifts for co-workers, friends and family.

Photo by: Jason Kisner

Jason Kisner

Next Up

25 Ornaments Under $30 That Make Great Gifts

These thoughtful Christmas ornaments are proof that good things really do come in small packages.

DIY Paper Christmas Tree Forest Advent Calendar

Count down the days until Christmas with this festive, budget-friendly Advent calendar centerpiece.

Make a Christmas Tree Forest Pom-Pom Wreath

This unique Christmas tree forest pom-pom wreath only uses a few supplies, but creates a cozy and festive addition to your holiday decorating. And the best part is that it’s easily customizable to match your own Christmas color scheme.

The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $50 for Women

Show the ladies in your life how much you care with these thoughtful (and budget-friendly) stocking stuffer ideas.

How to Make a DIY Hot Air Balloon Ornament for Christmas

Take your holiday decoration game to the next level with this unique, classy and carefully crafted DIY hot air balloon ornament for Christmas.

Gift or Enjoy: Endlessly Customizble Christmas Shortbread Cookies Recipe

Whether you're gifting them or serving them at a holiday party, we'll help you fill your Christmas cookie tray with ease. We’ve formulated one easy shortbread dough to be the base for three different cookie flavors. Cranberry-Orange and Toffee-Chocolate Chip are enticing and holiday appropriate, while Smoked Cheddar-Jalapeño offers an unexpected savory bite. Whatever their favorite flavor — this sweet or savory shortbread cookie recipe promises something for everyone.

Endlessly Customizable Layered Cheesecake Bars

Just one pan of these 3-in-1 cheesecake bars will fill your entire dessert tray or a Christmas tin for gifting. Get creative by swapping in your own fillings and toppings, or use our easy guide for the season’s most tempting flavors: Cookies ‘n Cream, Peppermint Patty and Pecan Pie. They all come from one pan and the variety is sure to please a crowd.

Make Festive Tomato Cage Yard Gnomes for Christmas

Add whimsy and cheer to your holiday decor by creating no-sew, larger-than-life gnomes out of tomato cages.

How to Make a Surprise Gift Box for Hanukkah

Delight your recipient with a gift box that's filled with small presents and releases a playful butterfly when opened.

How to Make a Scratch-Off Card for Father's Day

Give Dad a break this year with a DIY scratch-off lotto-style card with prizes like breakfast in bed, a free pass from mowing the lawn and a car wash.

What's New in Handmade

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.