Candle making party

What it is

A craft party where everyone makes a scented candle. Soy wax is safe and easy to use, and guests choose their own fragrance blend and jar. Popular for adult birthdays, hen parties and Christmas gift-making.

Plan ahead

• One week before: buy a candle kit or soy wax (about 200g per candle), pre-tabbed wicks, wick stickers, fragrance oils and jars.
• The day before: set up a melting station (a double boiler or wax pot), thermometer and pouring jugs. Cover tables.

How to make a soy candle

1. Stick the wick to the centre of the jar bottom.
2. Melt the wax to about 80°C.
3. Let it cool to 65°C and stir in fragrance oil (about 8-10% of the wax weight) for 2 minutes.
4. Cool to around 55°C and pour slowly into the jar.
5. Hold the wick straight with a clothes peg or wick holder.
6. Let it set for at least 4 hours; trim the wick to 5mm before lighting. Ideally cure for a few days.

Fragrance bar

Lavender, vanilla, cedarwood, citrus, fig, rose and cinnamon. Guests blend two or three.

Food and drink

• Cheese and charcuterie board
• Prosecco or mocktails
• Biscuits and chocolates

Tips

• Hot wax burns: adults handle melting and pouring for younger guests.
• Keep water away from melting wax.