A candle making kit is one of the most popular craft gifts available, and for good reason. It gives the recipient everything they need to make their first candle at home, without the need to source individual components. But not all kits are equal. Here is what to look for when choosing one.
What should a good candle making kit include?
A quality candle making kit should contain everything needed to make at least two or three candles from scratch. Look for kits that include:
- Soy wax flakes: The best choice for beginners. Avoid kits that use paraffin wax without stating it clearly.
- Pre-waxed wicks with sustainers: Ready to use, correctly sized for the vessels included.
- Fragrance oil or oils: At least one fragrance option, ideally two or three so the maker can experiment.
- Vessels: Glass jars or tins to pour the candles into. These should be heat-resistant and appropriately sized for the wick included.
- A pouring jug or container: For melting and pouring the wax safely.
- Instructions: Clear, step-by-step guidance written for a complete beginner.
What to watch out for
- Paraffin wax without disclosure: Some cheaper kits use paraffin rather than soy. This is not necessarily a dealbreaker, but it should be stated clearly.
- Mismatched wick sizes: The wick should be correctly sized for the vessel diameter included in the kit. A wick that is too small or too large will produce a poor result.
- Insufficient fragrance: Some kits include very small amounts of fragrance oil that are barely enough for one candle. Check the quantities before buying.
- No thermometer: Temperature control is important in candle making. A kit that does not include a thermometer or at least recommend one is cutting corners.
Candle making kits as gifts
A candle making kit is a brilliant gift for anyone who enjoys craft, cooking, or making things by hand. It is a gift that provides an experience as well as a product, and the candles made from it become a further source of satisfaction and pride. It suits a wide age range and works for birthdays, Christmas, and as a hen party or group activity gift.
Beyond the kit: what to buy next
Once you have made your first candles from a kit, you will likely want to experiment further. The natural next step is to buy individual components in larger quantities, which allows you to try different fragrance combinations, vessel sizes, and wick types. This is where candle making becomes genuinely creative.
Prefer to buy rather than make? Browse our Scented Soy Candles, all hand-poured in Carlisle, Cumbria. Or explore our Best Sellers for our most popular fragrances.