30+ years ago , my sons and I, as a Christmas presents for their elem. sch. teachers, made chunky candles. Here's the tute:

1. Using a double boiler, melt old candles, paraffin, etc. but save a couple of the longest ones for the "wick".

2. Clean a discarded cardboard container (from milk/OJ) and cut it to size - about 4-6 inches high.

3. Hold the long candle in the center of the container and place ice cubes directly around the candle to fill the container.

4. Carefully pour the melted wax over the ice cubes until container is full.

5. Let cool several hours.

6. Pour out water (from melted ice) and tear off the cardboard.

This should result in a "lacy" network of wax with the old short candle in the middle for lighting. As a variation, you could also place old crayon stubs interspersed with the ice cubes for a more colored effect. Hope you enjoy this.

We did that in Girl Scouts both when I was a GS and when I was leader for my daughter's troop. Lots of fun!

That is a neat and inexpensive gift idea. Thanks!!

Thank you for sharing this great idea :D:D:D

.I still have one in Xmas colors my son made in 4th grade. He is now 43 years old! I have kept all the little things they made for me in elem. scool. Get them out every year for Xmas.

great idea!

Thanks! sounds like a fun project to try sometime with my children.

I remember my mother making some of these candles(back in the early 60's); she also took Ivory soap flakes, small amt. of water and whipped the soap flakes with electric mixer till they stiff. Then with a spatula she applied the whipped stuff to the milk carton candles. Sometimes she used food coloring in the soap flakes. When the lights in the room were turned off, it was magical! I remember the centerpiece for the dining room table she made with three candles and pine branches. Sweet memories!!! Chris

I made these in the early 60's. Great fun. :thumbup:

I remember these as well, I think they were popular about the time everyone was into making wine bottles into glasses with a special cutter. And we use to take soda cans or beer cans and rub the tops on the ground until it came off, and you had a container left. Weird.