Creating Enchanting Floating Candles in Mason Jars
For years, I have been crafting floating candles in mason jars, and it’s become a cherished tradition. These charming decorations come together quickly and effortlessly, making them the ideal solution for filling any empty spaces in my home with a touch of festive spirit. They serve beautifully as centerpieces for dining tables, add warmth to a mantle, and can be scattered throughout a buffet setup. The versatility of these candles allows for endless customization, using whatever decorative elements you may have on hand, such as oranges, grapefruit, lemons, cranberries, juniper, fir, cypress, spruce, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and more.
Exciting Update: Infusing Essential Oils into Mason Jar Candles
This year, I had a delightful revelation—adding essential oils to my holiday jar candles has completely transformed the experience! I’m not sure why I hadn’t thought of it sooner. Every summer, I whip up these “Bug Away” essential oil floating candles, which not only look stunning but also fill my outdoor space with delightful scents while keeping pesky mosquitoes, flies, and gnats at bay during gatherings.
The concept of my autumn and holiday candles mirrors that of my summer creations: layering fruit, rosemary, and other festive decorations inside a clear jar, filling it with water, and placing a tealight or floating candle on top. However, it struck me that I had overlooked the addition of essential oils for my fall and holiday candles. What a missed opportunity!
Now that I’ve discovered this simple enhancement, my autumn and holiday candles will always include a splash of essential oils, adding an inviting aroma that elevates the entire ambiance!
Steps to Craft Floating Candles Scented with Essential Oils
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
While specific details are provided below for four distinct versions of these scented floating candles, here’s a general list of what you’ll need:
- Clear glass jars – You can create a single jar or group multiple jars together for an eye-catching centerpiece.
- Citrus peels, greenery sprigs, berries, cinnamon sticks, star anise, pinecones – Choose your favorite decorations to fill the inside of the jar.
- Water – Essential for creating the floating effect.
- Essential oils – To add fragrance and elevate the aesthetic.
- Floating candles or tealights – The finishing touch that brings your creation to life.
Step 2: Prepare Citrus Peels (if using)
Tip: A citrus peeler like this one simplifies the process of creating beautiful spirals.
- Begin by using the short end of the peeler to make surface cuts around the orange in a circular fashion. Continue making these cuts every 1/4-1/2 inch until the entire surface is scored.
- Next, gently pry up the orange rind using the long end of the tool, carefully peeling it away from the fruit.
- To create lovely spirals, wrap the orange peel around your finger or a wooden spoon handle.
Step 3: Add Decorations to the Jar
Tip: Arrange rosemary sprigs or other greenery around the inside of the jar, considering how it will look from the side. Tip: Start with heavier items (like citrus peels) at the bottom, then layer lighter elements (like cranberries) on top.
Step 4: Fill with Water
Tip: Leave about an inch of space at the top of the jar to ensure the candle flame is slightly enclosed. This not only enhances the glow but also protects the flame from drafts.
Step 5: Add Essential Oils
Tip: Here are some wonderful essential oils you might consider: cinnamon, orange, white fir, Douglas fir, spruce, juniper berry, frankincense, cedarwood, cypress, and rosemary.
Tip: Check out the four suggested combinations below.
Step 6: Place a Floating Candle or Tealight
Tip: Ensure that decorations are arranged safely, away from the candle flame.
Four Creative Essential Oil Floating Candle Variations
Option 1: Orange, Rosemary, and Cranberry
- This delightful combination is demonstrated in the step-by-step instructions above.
- Start by layering orange peel spirals, fresh rosemary sprigs, and cranberries in the jar.
- Fill with water.
- Add 6 drops of sweet orange essential oil and 4 drops of rosemary essential oil.
- Finally, position a tealight in the center, resting on the cranberries.
Option 2: Orange, Cinnamon, and Fir
- Begin with orange peel spirals, sprigs of fir (or any other greenery), and cinnamon sticks.
- Fill the jar with water.
- Add 6 drops of sweet orange essential oil, 2 drops of cinnamon essential oil, and 2 drops of fir essential oil.
- Place a tealight on top of the water.
Option 3: Rosemary and Cranberry
- Layer in fresh rosemary sprigs and cranberries.
- Fill with water.
- Add 4 drops of rosemary essential oil and 3 drops of cypress essential oil.
- Finish by placing a tealight on top of the water.
Option 4: Grapefruit, Frankincense, and Fir
- Layer grapefruit peel spirals and fir sprigs (or other greenery).
- Fill with water.
- Add 6 drops of grapefruit essential oil, 2 drops of frankincense essential oil, and 2 drops of fir essential oil.
- Top with a tealight.
Usage Instructions
- Light the candle when you’re ready to enjoy the ambiance.
- Most decorations can be reused for 2-3 days. To keep citrus peels, cranberries, and greenery fresh, store them in the refrigerator between uses. Add more essential oil as necessary.
- Double Use Idea: If the decorations remain fresh after using the candles, remove the candles and pour the contents into a pot. Heat on the stovetop over medium heat to fill your home with the delightful aromas of the season.
Where to Find Supplies?
This website contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission. The price remains the same for you as it would be without the affiliate link.
- Citrus peeler
- Essential oils
- Tealights
- Short 8 oz jars
- Medium 16 oz jars
- Tall 22 oz jars
- Free printable of these recipes and instructions
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Disclaimer: Please note that this website contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission. The price remains the same for you as it would be without the affiliate link.
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