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Homemade Gift Idea: Make Your Own Candles

Many people enjoy highly scented candles as a gift simply because it is something they can use all of the time. Making a gift yourself always makes it feel personalized and special to the person you are giving it to. Making your own candles is not only a lot of fun, but it is relatively inexpensive and easy to do.

When you get started, the first thing you’ll want to do is to make sure you have all of your supplies together and easy to reach. The most basic things you will need include a double boiler for melting the wax, a block of wax or wax chips, fragrance oil, wick, dye, metal spoon, and a jar. If you want to make your candles into shapes, you may also want to consider using a candle mold for making your candles. Now that you have all of your supplies in an easy to reach spot, you can start getting ready to melt the wax.

The first thing to do is to melt the wax. You can choose to use paraffin wax for traditional candles or many also like to make soy wax candles, both which are commonly used for making candles. You may want to consider melting the wax with a double boiler. A double boiler works by filling the bottom pot with water and the top pot with your wax, which helps it to melt evenly without overcooking.

When the wax is melted thouroughly, the next step is to add in the dyes and scents you wish to use. For many people who make candles, choosing the colors and scents they will use is their favorite part in making them. Since dyes and fragrance oils will vary depending on the type, be sure you follow any included special directions.

Now you are ready to place your melted wax into your container. The wax will be very hot, so you may want to wear pot holders and pour very carefully so you will not get burnt. If pouring the wax all goes smooothly, the next step will be to insert the wax into it. To keep the wick in place, you will want to wrap one end of the wick around a pencil and then set the pencil across the top of the container you are using.

Once you have let the wax cooled, your scented candles are finished and ready to be given as a gift. Other ways to further personalize your gift include decorating the jar, attaching bows, or including a special message. Everyone you give a homemade candle to will surely love it. The best part? They won’t even realize how simple it is to create!

Homemade Gift Ideas

If you know someone who is retiring and you are thinking of making a retirement gift rather than purchasing one, you are probably trying to think of a funny gift to give. Most retirements try to go for humor rather than getting too serious.You also want the gift to be special for your retiree. By going homemade you may also be considering the gift to be unique, but cost effective as well since you will be creating it yourself.

By creating the gift yourself, your gift will be more personal and you can make it in such a way that others will know you put a lot of time and thought into the retirement gift.One way to come up with ideas for your gift would be to brainstorm the retirees interests, likes, and hobbies. Make a list and once you have your list you will be able to narrow it down.If you want to create a gift that also has a bit of humor in it, then brainstorm ideas that will be easier to incorporate humor into.  After all if the retiree is going to do something very serious after retirement like work with his church, that won’t provide you with a funny idea.Although, if the retiree is a golf addict and plans to live on the golf course, then you can think of a way to incorporate humor into the gift.

You want your gift to be unique, you don’t want your gift to be the same as others.This becomes easier if your are creating a homemade retirement gift. For example if you like embroidery you could purchase a white shirt and add a saying on it like “golf nut” providing your friend likes golf. If you are learning to crochet you might want to think of a crocheted golf club cover.  The best way to introduce humor in that case would be to make the cover with a cartoon head or something that is personal to the retiree.

The ideas for gifts are unlimited when you contemplate a homemade retirement gift and provided you enjoy crafting creating your homemade gift will be easy for you.Perhaps you are not the type of person who is into crafts, in which case you would need to consider a different way of making your gift.Many people love chocolate so you could consider making homemade fudge and presenting it as your gift.  It may lack the humor element, but you could always present it in a box that has been designed towards humor. 

The ideas are endless, but when you make a homemade gift, you have the advantage of creating a personal, unique, and thoughtful gift rather then just purchasing a gift. Jump start your creative processes and have fun at your retirement party!