DIY Candles in Teacups – A Beautiful Handmade Gift Idea

Looking for a thoughtful gift that’s as beautiful as it is practical? These DIY candles in teacups make the perfect handmade present for almost any occasion!

Whether you’re celebrating Mother’s Day, a birthday, or simply want to brighten someone’s day, this charming project is sure to impress.

The best part is, they’re easy to make, totally customizable, and will look absolutely lovely in anyone’s home.

Whether you want to add color and fragrance, or keep things clean and unscented like I did, this project is all about making something personal.

Taking the time to create something with your own hands shows thoughtfulness and care in a way that store-bought gifts often can’t.

Let’s get started!

Gather Materials to Make DIY Candles

Gather the following materials to complete this project:

• Teacup and saucer – I purchased mine from HomeGoods, but you can also use a vintage set or find them at a thrift store.
• Candle making kit– containing soy wax flakes, metal pouring pitcher, candle wicks, wick stickers, wick holder, and a metal spoon
• Pot
• Scissors
• Candle fragrance oils or essential oils- optional
• Candle coloring dye that is specific for candle making, or colored wax- optional

Steps to make DIY candles in teacups

This is my very first time making candles, and I promise—if I can do it, you can too!

I kept things simple, took my time, and learned a few helpful tips along the way, which I’ll share below.

Whether you’re new to DIY or just looking for a fun afternoon project, this candle tutorial is beginner-friendly and super satisfying.

Prep Your Teacups

First things first—give your teacups a thorough wash and dry to ensure they’re clean and ready for wax.

Once they’re completely dry, attach a candle wick to the center of the bottom using a wick sticker or a small amount of hot glue.

Press it down firmly so it stays in place.

To keep the wick upright, place the metal positioner on top of the cup and insert the wick.

Note: The wick holders that came in this kit were a bit small for my teacups. They kept sliding down the side of the cup, so I had to use tape to hold them in place.

If you don’t have this kit, lay two skewers across the top of the cup and sandwich the wick between them.

Melt the Wax

Next, it’s time to melt your wax.

Place the metal pouring pitcher, half-filled with wax flakes, inside a pot of hot, simmering water.

Stir occasionally until everything is fully melted.

I continued adding wax flakes until my entire bag was melted.

Pour the Wax

Once your wax is melted and ready, use an oven mitt to carefully pour it slowly into your teacups.

Ensure the wick remains centered and leave sufficient space at the top of the cup.

Let It Set

Now comes the hard part—waiting!

Let your candles cool and harden completely.

This typically takes between 1 and 2 hours.

Want to Add Color and Scent to Your DIY Candles?

Adding color or fragrance is a fun way to personalize your candles, but it’s totally optional!

I personally chose to skip the fragrance because I’m sensitive to strong scents, and I still love how the candles turned out.

So don’t feel like you have to add anything—simple and unscented can be just as beautiful and calming.

This is a great gift idea for someone who is sensitive to fragrances but adores candles!

To Add Color:

• Use candle dye chips or liquid candle dye for the most consistent results. Add a small amount to your melted wax and stir until it’s completely dissolved.
• You can also use crayon shavings as a budget-friendly option. Just grate a small piece into the wax and stir well. Keep in mind, crayons can sometimes affect how cleanly your candle burns, so use them sparingly.
• Start with a little color and build up slowly—it’s easier to darken the wax than to lighten it.

To Add Fragrance:

• Once your wax is fully melted and slightly cooled (ideally around 180°F), stir in your candle fragrance oil. This helps preserve the scent when the candle burns.
• Follow the recommended usage rate on your fragrance bottle—usually about 1 ounce of oil per pound of wax.

Finishing Touch

Once the wax has set, remove the wick holder.

Trim the wick down to about ¼ inch.

And that’s it—you’ve got yourself a gorgeous handmade candle!

But wait, my candles looked perfect, and then I removed the wick holder and saw this…

I couldn’t believe there were pits in the wax, and I thought the candles were ruined!

I was so sad and immediately googled, “What to do if DIY candles have pits around the wick?”

Here’s the good news: it was an easy fix, and my candles weren’t ruined after all!

Troubleshooting tip

Even with careful steps, minor issues can pop up when making candles—no worries!

Remember, when you DIY, it’s all part of the learning process.

How to Fix Sinkholes Around the Wick

It turns out this is super common—wax naturally contracts as it sets, which can leave little dips near the wick.

Here are a couple of ways to fix the problem:

• Reheat a small amount of wax and carefully pour it into the hole to level the surface. Let it cool again completely before trimming the wick.
• No extra wax? No problem! A heat gun or hair dryer works well to gently melt the top layer, allowing it to smooth out.

I had a little bit of wax left over and was able to cover the holes!

Now the candles look like this!

They’re not perfect, but I think they turned out great for my first time!!

Candle Safety Tips

Handmade candles make beautiful gifts, but it’s always important to keep safety in mind, both when creating and burning them.

Here are a few tips to help keep things safe and enjoyable:

• Use caution when melting wax. Wax gets very hot, so always handle your container with oven mitts or potholders and work on a heat-safe surface.
• Do not leave melting wax unattended. Keep a close eye on your stove and keep kids and pets away while you’re working.
• Never leave a burning candle unattended. Always keep an eye on it, especially around kids or pets.
• Trim the wick to ¼ inch before each burn to prevent high flames or soot.
• Place candles on a heat-safe surface, away from flammable materials such as curtains, paper, or fabric.
• Don’t burn the candle all the way down. Stop when about ½ inch of wax remains in the bottom of the teacup.

Closing Thoughts

And there you have it—a sweet and simple DIY candle project that’s just as fun to make as it is to give!

Whether you’re gifting these DIY teacup candles or keeping one for yourself (no judgment here!), they add a lovely handmade touch to any space.

I loved keeping mine fragrance-free because I’m sensitive to scents, but that’s the beauty of DIY—you can make it just the way you like it.

I hope this tutorial inspires you to get creative and craft something meaningful.

If you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it turns out!

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Blessings, Donna and Rich

More DIY Gift Inspiration

Here are some more DIYs I’ve done that would make great gifts!

• Cinnamon Stick Candles
• Oyster Shell Trinket Dishes
• Decorated Pillar Candles
• Rosette Heart Pillow
• Wood Bead Garland

Pin It For Later

Don’t forget to pin the image below to one of your Pinterest boards (hover over the picture and click the red Pin button in the top left corner).

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