Close-up of two lit orange-peel candles made from halved oranges filled with wax on embroidered cloth with antique candlesticks in the background

Recipes

DIY Orange Peel Candles

Nothing captures the spirit of citrus season quite like enjoying oranges at their peak in the winter — and then transforming their vibrant peels into a festive, year-round craft! With just a few simple materials (including those often-overlooked food scraps!), this DIY candle-making project is both quick and surprisingly elegant. It’s the perfect way to add a touch of natural warmth to your space and give your holiday decor a fresh, sustainable twist.

What You’ll Need:

  • Oranges
  • ½ lb beeswax chips
  • ÂĽ cup coconut oil
  • Candle wicks
  • Something rigid, like a chopstick
  • Essential oils

The Method:

  • Prepare your candle vessels with wicks (you can buy a candle wick set online!)
  • We’re using halved orange rinds but you can use upcycled jars, eggshells, mugs, and even acorn caps for minis
  • Melt your beeswax and coconut oil together
  • You can use a double boiler method for melting
  • Pour your wax and oil mixture into your prepared vessels and allow the wax to set
  • Trim the wicks, enjoy your homemade candles, or give them away as gifts!

*note– we do not recommend adding essential oils as their safety for burning can vary.

Summary

With just a few natural ingredients like beeswax, coconut oil, and leftover peels, you can easily create festive candles that add warmth to your home or make thoughtful gifts. This simple DIY not only reduces waste but also offers a creative way to bring a little nature indoors, showing how overlooked food scraps can be transformed into something surprisingly elegant and lasting.

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