Why not close out 2021 by stretching yourself, experiencing something novel, and trying something for the very first time? I can’t think of a better way to set yourself up for success as we are about to transition to a new year.
That’s exactly what Cam and I did earlier this week. While we didn’t do anything particularly earthshattering or monumental, we decided to try our hand at something we had never dabbled in before: Candle making.
This Christmas, Cam’s sister and her fiancé had the thoughtful idea to get us an at-home-date-kit as a gift. Once a month for this first part of the year we will receive a different prepackaged “date box” with a fun activity we can do together at home. All we need is a positive attitude, a willingness to try something new, and perhaps some tasty apps and drinks to spice things up, and the kit provides the rest. So far, we’ve received one date box that was centered around holiday candle making. Always game to roll up our selves and explore uncharted territory, Cam and I opened the package and set off on an exciting at-home adventure.
If you’re anything like us, then you probably don’t have a robust background in all things candles. And while this lack of experience may discourage or even intimidate some, we embraced our rookie status and challenged ourselves to learn as much about this new endeavor as possible.
Dipped candles originated with the Romans around 500 B.C., and evidence for Chinese candles crafted from whale fat date back to the Qin Dynasty (221-206 B.C.). These candles were traditionally made from tallow, beeswax, and animal fat. The mass market manufacturing of candles made of paraffin wax exploded during the Industrial Revolution, and since then candles have become a common staple in every household. While they no longer serve as our primary source of indoor light, just think of all the ways we’ve come to use candles in the present day. From everything to birthday celebrations to holiday traditions to ambiance creators and hygge makers, candles play a critical role in bringing people together and creating environments that radiate with warmth, energy, and light.
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts there’s something almost therapeutic for me about lighting a candle and cozying up on the couch at the end of a long work day. This seemingly small ritual marks a transition – a slowing of pace and changing of mindset – and signals the warm, welcomed end of a long, multifaceted day. While I’m not typically drawn to intense scents or overpowering aromas, there’s just something so peaceful and comforting about the candle “routine” I’ve recently adopted: I simply can’t give it up.
Needless to say, then, I was jazzed that candle making was the first date box activity Cam and I received. The instructions were surprisingly straightforward and simple, and we gathered our supplies and huddled together to learn how to bring our own candle creations to life.
Our kit contained the following ingredients:
(2) 8 oz. glass candle jars
(2) 0.44 lb. soy wax blend
(1) 0.70 oz. Gingerbread fragrance
(1) 0.70 oz. Candy Cane fragrance
(2) Wicks
(2) Wick bars
(2) Wick stickers
(2) Wooden stirring sticks
(2) Safety warning labels[1]
In addition to these received items the recipe called for us to have the following instruments on hand: A large glass measuring cup, a microwave, and a thermometer. We didn’t have a wax-dipping thermometer readily on hand, so we decided to forgo the instructions and skip that step. What could go wrong?
We started by removing the metal cap from the mason jar provided[2]. Next, we applied our wick by pulling back the tab on the wick sticker and securing the metal part of the wick to the top of the sticker. We then peeled back the attached paper and stuck the wick in the center of the candle jar. Trying to be exact with our placement, we rested the wick bar horizontally on top of the jar and placed the wick in the inlet of the bar so it could securely hold everything in place.
Next, we emptied the soy wax into our giant Pyrex measuring cup and microwaved it for two full minutes. After this initial round we paused to check on the wax’s progress before adding more time in fifteen second increments. The instructions cautioned us to use our thermometer at this point to check our wax temperature and ensure we didn’t burn everything to the ground, but we decided to eyeball it and wing this step instead. Badass, I know.
Once the wax was nice and melted at some high temperature we weren’t even remotely aware of, we slowly poured in one of the fragrances, mixing the wax as we did so. Following the instructions, we stirred the concoction for two whole minutes and then carefully poured the contents into the previously prepared mason jar.
From there we rinsed and repeated the instructions to make the other candle scent. Once both candles were successfully melted, mixed, and poured we let them sit undisturbed for a full day so they could harden in peace. Although we can’t light the candles for another two weeks[3], in the interim we were pretty pleased with at least the appearance of the end result. And, we could definitely detect notes of ginger, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and almond alongside hints of peppermint, vanilla, amber, and musk. In short, the entire apartment smelled like a winter wonderland!
And voila! Just like that we made candles! While it wasn’t particularly difficult, we had a blast trying something different and learning a new skill together. The experience was fun and refreshing, and it inspired us to chat about other new things we want to test and explore in the coming months.
As we head into the new year, what types of things will you try to grow your abilities and expand your horizons? It’s never too late to learn something new, and the time to start is always now. So, get cracking, let the brainstorming begin, and get out there and discover what all you can make possible. Enjoy the experience, lose yourself in the process, and marvel in the many ways you can continue to expand, stretch, and grow your world.
Happy New Year, everyone!
[1] Because, you know, safety first.
[2] First step, done. Easy peasy.
[3] They need to cure for at least fourteen days before use. Apparently burning too soon doesn’t give the fragrance enough time to appropriately settle; the longer a candle cures, the stronger the fragrance will ultimately be.
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