Now I know summer has passed and a long cold winter is all that lies ahead, but that doesn't mean you can't still give a gift that screams SUMMER! I feel like people limit themselves to scarves and gloves as go-to gifts during the holiday season. For the record, I am not telling you to go out and purchase every on-sale summer item available because your brother will eventually use that cooler (that was 50% off), and your sister's kids would be super cute in polka dot bathing suits (that we're practically free). One thing that comes to mind and never goes out of style is BOOZE. While each season has its signature cocktail, the art of boozing can be celebrated throughout the year!
So today I made a super cheap (but still classy) gift. Candlerita: (noun) a candle in a margarita glass with a salted rim. (And other candle "cocktails.") Raid your local thrift store for cheap glassware and the possibilities are endless. Use coloring to dye your wax and different fragrance oils to mix up a candle cocktail. Here's how:
For the Candleritas, you will need:
- Candle wax (soy or paraffin): I prefer soy wax because it burns longer and more evenly. It also cleans up nicely and I think it looks better overall.
- Candle wicks: you can purchase either wick string or - if you plan on making more than a few candles - buy wholesale wicks that are pre-tabbed with a sort of aluminum "anchor" or "foot"
- Candle color and fragrance (optional)
- Margarita glasses
- Thrift store stock pot you aren't afraid to ruin
- Aluminum pitcher (made for candle and soap making) or a thrift store mixing bowl
- Thrift store wooden spoon and a couple of cheap chopsticks
- Glue
- Sea or epsom salt
Measure out your wax depending on the size of the containers you're using for the type of wax you purchased. (Tip: always add a little more than the manufacturer suggests.)
(Excuse the dingy-looking photo!) Set up a double-broiler: heat water in a large vessel and place a smaller vessel inside, so that the contents of the small vessel are heated indirectly by the water, and not directly by the fire. Add your wax to the small pot and simmer the water over very low heat until the wax is melted. Then add your scent - I'm using lemon and lime essential oils for fragrance (no added color, though).
While you wait for the wax, clean your glassware.
Paint a thin layer of glue around the rim of your margarita glass.
Dip the rim in salt, totally covering the glue.
Give the rim a few minutes to dry.
Set the wick in the glass - use the chopsticks to stabilize it. Hold the chopsticks down with one hand and slowly pour the wax into the glass with the other hand. Do not move the glass or the wick until the wax has hardened completely.
It's 5 o'clock somewhere! How cute is this margarita candle!?
Make it a gift! Wrap up the candle, a bottle of tequila and a few cocktail umbrellas for an instant fiesta.
Here are a few more variations I played with, using leftover wax from old candles! I've collected gallon baggies full of leftover wax, sorted by color. The materials are free and most of them are scented and colored already, just melt and pour.
Red and burgundy wax make a great glass of wine or port depending on your use of glassware.
Make it part of a gift package by adding a bottle of wine and a corkscrew or bottle-stoppers.
Use promo glasses to enjoy a favorite beer anytime. Leftover orange and yellow wax mixed with Bergamot and Orange Blossom fragrance oils yield a great pint of Blue Moon.
Make it a gift by including a six pack and a bottle opener. Or make a great housewarming gift for the bachelor in your life: fill a cigar box with cards, dice, aspirin, a corkscrew, and a few mints.
Happy holiday prepping!
