Ice Candles and Owls-Inexpensive Christmas Gifts or Decorations!!

It's that time of the year when light sparkles and shines in and outside of homes, stores, churches, and city squares.  In an effort to create light out of darkness, candles are burned, fireplaces are lit, and trees are decorated. It's also gift giving time and homemade gifts are always welcomed, fueling the fires burning within our hearts.

Today, the gifts I am making are fun and easy family crafts. They are really inexpensive to make and use recycled materials  and normal household items.

First, we'll make some ice candles.

Begin by washing out some empty waxed milk cartons.  Then, gather pieces of used candles to melt.

 ( I have a friend who saves all her old candles for me just for this project.)

The pictured campfire pots were purchased at a yard sale (all for $1.00) to make a double boiler for melting wax.

Melt the wax slowly stirring occasionally.

As the wax is melting, break up enough ice to fill the cartons you are using (don't crush the ice too fine).

 

Insert a taper candle into the carton and let the ice support it.  Then, slowly pour the melted wax into the carton.

Once the wax has hardened and the ice melted, pour off the water and tear the carton to remove the ice candle.

Wait a couple of days for the wax to hardened. 

Then light and enjoy the candle or give it as a gift.

  Next, we'll make some Owls to reflect the lights of the tree.

Save your used paper rolls.  Toilet paper rolls are the right length; the ones you get from the paper towels or the wrapping paper need to be cut to about 5 inches.

Press the center of the paper rolls shown, leaving points on the two ends of the topside.

I use a black sharpie to add the feathers and faces of the Owls;
they look the best when each one is different.

Place over the tree branches making sure some of the tree lights are shining on them.

Six or more  packaged together make a nice gift.