GIVING YOUR CANDLES AS GIFTS

Image via WikipediaA candle gift that never gets old (even though it looks very old-fashioned) is the "canning jar" candle. You can easily make these container candles simply by using old canning jars you have around the house.
Don't have canning jars? Don't worry. If you spend any time at flea markets or frequent garage sales, you'll find these. And if for some strange reason you can't, you can usually buy a dozen of these jars relatively cheaply at just about any grocery store or even some of the discount or "dollar" stores.
You simply use these jars as the containers. Then you follow the directions for the container candles. If you use paraffin wax, you can add any type of scent you'd like -- or think the recipient of your gift would like -- and the color that you'd like.
Some canning jars have embossed or raised decorations on the surface. Others are quite plain. Consider using plain jars as gel candles -- and then you can place all types of accessories in the jar! You can even top the jars off -- gel wax or otherwise -- with the lid of the canning jar.
For an added effect, you may want to wrap the lid in some type of gingham fabric to make give it more of a country look.
Candles are versatile gifts. They are every bit as appropriate as a Christmas present as a birthday present -- and every holiday in between. And since you love this hobby so much -- because let's face it, candle-making really is growing on you! -- you even try to think of holidays so you have a reason to give candles away.
It's not enough to give candles on Mother's Day, the Fourth of July, birthdays, New Year's Day, Easter, St. Patrick's Day, or even Valentine's Day. You keep looking for even more holidays. Well, Groundhog's Day may be pushing it a bit, now don't you think?
If you want get more ideas -- and even some cool directions for candles suitable for gifts -- go to http://www.swankeecandles.com It's all in my new eBook Secrets to Successful Candle Making. In it you'll learn all the basics in a nutshell about making professional quality candles -- right in the privacy and comfort of your home.