Make these gorgeous peppermint striped soy candles for Christmas! Enjoy them yourself or give them as gifts.

Christmas is coming, and it’s time to start making scented candles! Today I’m going to show you how to make these fun peppermint striped soy candles. They’re easy, but they do require a little patience in order to create the stripes. I hope you love these as much as I do!

If you’re brand new to candle making, you may find this article helpful, as I go into more detail about the how and why of the candle making process: How to Make Soy Candles: A Beginner’s Guide

Tools & Materials

A. 3 cups soy wax flakes (this is my favorite brand from Amazon and it comes with the wicks and wick-centering devices)

B. wick-centering devices (you’ll need one for each candle)

C. pre-waxed cotton wicks (1 per candle)

D. candle jars (I’m using these 10 oz frosted glass jars with wood lids from Amazon)

E. 1 oz (2 Tbsp.) candle fragrance oil (I’m using Candy Cane, from Candle Lynn)

F. red wax dye (this is my favorite kit from Amazon)

1. 2 glass measuring cups
2. measuring spoons
3. mini hot glue gun and glue sticks
4. digital meat thermometer
5. fork
6. scissors
7. 2 eye droppers

Directions

1. Measure the wax flakes.

I like to use glass measuring cups, but you can use any microwave-safe containers, as long as they have pour spouts. You’ll need a total of three cups (24 oz.) of soy wax flakes, which should melt down to approximately 1 1/2 cups (12 oz.) of melted wax.

Put about 3/4 cup of flakes into the smaller measuring cup and the rest in the larger one.

2. Melt the wax.

Pop the wax into the microwave for one minute, then pull it out and stir it with a fork. Then back in for 30 seconds. Continue, stirring each time, until the wax is completely melted. Do this with both containers of wax

3. Add wax dye.

Heat the smaller container of wax to between 180-190 degrees. Use the digital thermometer to check the temperature.

Now add 2-3 pinches of red wax dye flakes and stir well. The wax dye should immediately start to melt and spread across the surface of the wax. Stir well.

4. Add fragrance oil.

Wait for both containers of wax to cool to between 175-185 degrees and then add the fragrance oil, dividing it between the two. Stir well.

5. Prepare the wicks.

Use a dab of hot glue to attach the wick to the bottom center of each candle jar.

Then thread the wick through a metal wick-centering device and rest it on the rim of the jar.

6. Pour the first layer.

Use a plastic eye dropper to just cover the bottom of each jar with red wax. Then let it cool completely. I found that the eye droppers make it easier to control the amount of wax going in. And more importantly, they make it easier to avoid getting wax on the sides of the jars.

7. Pour the 2nd Layer.

Once the first red stripe is completely cool and hardened, use the second eye dropper to fill the jar about 3/4 inch with the clear (white) wax. Let this layer cool completely.

8. Repeat.

Continue to fill layers with the respective eye droppers until your candle jars are filled, being sure to let the wax harden completely between each pour.

You will likely need to re-heat your wax in the microwave a few times. But only heat it enough to melt it. The cooler your wax is when you pour it, the better.

9. Trim the wicks.

Once your candle is cooled and hardened, trim the wicks with a sharp pair of scissors.

10. Let them cure.

Replace the jar lids and store your candles in a cool dry place for at least two weeks to cure before burning. Enjoy!

More DIY Candles…

How to Make Candles Smell Stronger: 6 Tips for Great Scent Throw

DIY Mason Jar Candles

The Best Christmas Candle Fragrance Oils- Tested & Reviewed!