Candles are a great way to decorate your home with the changing seasons and also to make it smell like fall. Let's be honest, I'm completely OK with the idea of my house smelling like fall all year long, no matter the season.
These DIY chai candles are made in old canning jars and are a pretty, natural way to bring some seasonal cheer inside. They are delicately scented with baking spices—like ginger, cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg—that will warm your home.
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Making candles at home is very easy. You can purchase wax, or recycle old candles by melting down the old ones and salvaging the leftover wax. Essential oils can also be added to the melted wax once it has started to cool but has not fully set.
Supplies for Chai Candles
- Candle wax flakes - I used soy, because I wanted a natural wax that's easy to use and has a natural scent. You can substitute for beeswax if needed.
- Candle wicks - Make sure you pick a size that's at least as long as the height of your jars.
- Skewers or chopsticks
- Jars - The jars I used are ½ pint canning jars. I love the cute shape, but any jar you have at home can be used. You might want to slightly adjust the quantities if you're working with bigger jars. These ½ pint jars use about 7.5 ounces (dry weight) of candle wax flakes per jar.
- Spices - ginger, cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg are all great options for fall and winter scents.
- A pan for melting the wax - use an old pan you're no longer cooking in.
Instructions for Making Candles
Start by melting the wax. The soy flakes melt easily. If you use beeswax pellets or chopped wax, it will melt at a much higher temperature and take quite a bit longer to melt. You don't have to use a pan. A large measuring cup and microwave are even easier. I nestled an old pan inside of another pan to work like a double boiler.
As the wax is melting, dip the bottom of the candle wicks into the wax and place them at the bottom of the jar. Use the skewer or chopstick to help hold it in the center.
When the wax is almost melted, remove from heat and stir or swirl to melt the remaining wax. Add the spices and stir well.
Pour into the jars and let wax cool completely. Trim the wicks and use as desired or give as a gift.
Other DIY candle ideas for fall
French Vanilla Candles
Cinnamon Candles in Pumpkins
Ice Candles Made From Recycled Candles
Pretty DIY Colored Votives
Wood Wick Candles
DIY Chai-Spiced Fall Candle FAQ
The scent of the spices used in these chai candles can be fairly subtle. If you would like to create a stronger scent, add a few drops of essential oils.
Mixing and matching cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and any other autumn spice oils will give you that chai feel, but vanilla and lemon would also pair nicely with this mix.
If you'd like to add essential oils to amplify the autumn scent profile when you make these chai-spiced candles, you should add them after you've poured the wax and once it has started to set. You'll want to wait until the wax has cooled down but has not set fully. If you add oils when the wax is still too hot, the scent will burn off.
I used soy wax, but you can use beeswax as well. Beeswax tends to have a stronger natural scent than soy, so I opted to use soy instead.
DIY Chai-Spiced Fall Candle
Equipment
- An old pan or clean can for melting wax
Materials
- 14-15 ounces soy wax flakes per candle
- ½ teaspoon each: ground ginger, cardamom, allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg
- 2 8-ounce jars
- 2 candle wicks
- Chopsticks or skewers
Instructions
- Place wax flakes in a double boiler or large glass measuring cup in the microwave.
- Dip the end of the candle wicks into the melted wax and adhere to the center of the bottom of the jars. Wrap the wicks around chopsticks or skewers and set over the top of the jar to keep the wicks centered.
- Once wax has almost melted, remove from heat and stir to finish melting. Add the spices and stir well. (Some will sink to the bottom of the jar.)
- Pour the wax into the prepared jars, leaving a little space at the top. Let cool completely.
- Trim the wick to desired length and use or give as a gift.
Noelia says
Hey! Have you tried infusing for a long time, say, 3 chai tea bags in a very small amount of water -say, 25ml- and then pouring that into the melted wax?
Please let me know!
Michelle says
How does the wick not float when candles are burning. I thought you had to stick the wick in the bottom of the jar with a wick tab ?
Holly says
Don't put the spices directly into the wax. Put them in a coffee filter, tied shut. Then on low heat, infuse the wax with the spices for a few hours. Remove the bundle prior to pouring. Spice particles will clog the wick and eventually, it will stop burning. You won't be able to use the candle anymore once the wick stops drawing.
Tasha Starr says
Fully believe you, but won't this make the scent extra light in the candle? How do I get a heavy scented candle?? More spice? Longer infusion time?
Michelle H says
Using EO will work the same. But, I love the look of yours and with the jars being so cute and small I wouldn't worry about the wick clogging. It's been a year...did they clog?
Laurie says
I got these jars at Walmart. They are Mason jars for canning or preserving.
Dilcia Tebrow says
Awesome! Thank you :-)
Kate says
How do you keep the spices from sinking to the bottom of the jar while the wax dries?
Hillary says
Can you elaborate more on adding essential oils when the candle is first lit? How much would you recommend, and should that be repeated every time you light the candle? Thanks!
Stephanie says
You add the essential oils when the wax has cooled down but not yet set during the candle making process. If you add it too early the scent burns off. You would not want to add oils when you light the candle, but a diffuser would serve the same purpose.
Natasha says
How strong is the scent? I love really strong candles so...
Ashley says
What size wick/ what brand wicks are you using? Thansk!!
Kaelee says
I was wondering where you got the jars, I'm looking for similar ones but I seem to be out of luck. I'm thinking I'll search kitchen warehouse stores like Smart and Final.
Lindsey Johnson says
I think I found these at Hobby Lobby. I've seen them at Michael's, too, I think.
Anita says
Hi! Can't wait to try these. What kind/brand of wicks did you use? They look so much better than the ones I have!
Lindsey Johnson says
I'm sorry! I can't remember the brand. I found them at Hobby Lobby.
Courtnee says
How delicately scented are these would you say? If I burned one in a medium sized bedroom, would it provide a room fragrance or would I have to use two? I love the idea of a tea scent--could I put little ribbons of lemon peel in the candle to add a citrus scent? What about vanilla extract?
Lindsey Johnson says
It's pretty light. You could add some essential oils to the top of the candle before you burn it and the scent will diffuse better that way. And vanilla extract would be a great addition, as would the lemon peels.
Randy says
Easy way would be to put spices in bottom of a jar, add was and put on candle warmer. No wick needed. Just reheat on candle warmer when you you want the fragrance. More spice can be added when you you want stronger scent. Just saying.
Emma says
Wow! I've been buying lots of yummy fall candles in the last couple weeks, but these look like they would smell better than any of them! Although they might make me crave chai tea more than I normally do (if that's possible!) :)
Susanna says
Love those! Would love to get some for Christmas :)
A bike on my shirt says
I love it! I have to try it and only in 20 minutes, fantastic! :)
Mom says
Which spices and in what quantity did you use?
Lindsey Johnson says
If you scroll to the recipe, the spices are listed there. It's 1/2 teaspoon each.
tina says
I absolutely love this, and everything you make! x
Jamie Rippy (@MamaMommyMom) says
Oh, I bet these smell amazing! I've never been one for the flavor of Chai, but I love the smell!