This is my second fun project to get ready for Christmas, though it can be a project for any time of year.
First, save all your little candles and ends of candles that are too small to safely burn. It doesn’t matter what color or scent. If you don’t have any saved, start saving them now for next year. Use an old coffee tin (not plastic) to save your candle pieces in because you will need the tin when you’re ready to start the project. I always keep a tin in my closet to deposit broken and ends of candles that couldn’t be burned any further. If you use a tin, you can pour the hot wax into it when a candle burns down, and just keep adding to it.
Second, gather pine cones. The big ones work better, but you can also use some of the tiny Hemlock pine cones as well. Take a bag or basket with you when you go on a walk so you’re ready when you find pine cones on the ground. They might be sticky from the tree’s sap so you might want to wear disposable gloves for this task.
Place all your candle pieces in an old coffee tin (preferably one with a removable wrapper and one wide enough to dip pine cones in). Take a cooking pan larger than the can (such as a Dutch oven), fill half way with water and bring to a boil. When the water is boiling, carefully lower the tin into the water, careful to not get any water inside the tin. Let the tin in the hot water on a hot burner, but turn the burner off. The candles will melt into wax. You can stir the candles/wax with a stick (like a paint stick) or an old spoon. Be careful you don’t burn your fingers on the hot wax! It doesn’t matter if there is a metal piece or wick in the tin—it will either sink or float and you can extract it.
When the candles have all turned to liquid wax, carefully remove the tin from the water. If you have to, turn the burner back on to heat it up more so that the candles melt. (Electric ranges hold the heat longer than gas, so if you’re using a gas range, you will most likely have to turn the burner on periodically throughout the project.
Take a pine cone and gently grip it with old tongues. Lower it into the wax for less than 5 seconds. Let the excess wax drip off. Then move pine cone to wax paper or newspaper. Let the pine cones dry for several hours, and when they feel dry enough on the top, turn them over gently. You will need a place where the pine cones can dry without being moved.
When pine cones are completely dry to the touch, you can place them in bags or boxes to store, but it would be better to use them immediately. Put the pine cones in decorated or plain baskets. Wrap basket and all in colored plastic see-through wrap. Gather the ends to the top and wrap with decorative ribbon or yarn. Now you have an inexpensive gift to give to a teacher, co-worker, friend, or as a hostess gift.
The pine cones may be tossed one at a time into a fireplace periodically, but not all at once because the candle wax will coat the chimney. The fragrance will permeate your home while making these gifts and when the recipient opens them, sets them out, and/or tosses them into the fireplace.
ENJOY!
While your pine cones are drying,
here is a 2-minute video I found online
that is interesting and explains
the life cycle of pine cones.