DIY mini pumpkin candles

Now that the kids are back in school, you can finally decorate your house in peace. With fall just around the corner, this means lots of sunflowers and branches, cinnamon sticks, pinecones and, of course, pumpkins. Although adding a few mini gourds to your fall tablescape is cute, why not kill two birds with one stone and feature these DIY pumpkin candles?

Each candle is made from a carved-out gourd, so you still get that fall look you crave while giving the pumpkins another purpose! If you’d rather use plastic pumpkins (so they last longer), just be sure the plastic is thick enough to hold the hot wax. We chose to make these pumpkin candles cinnamon scented, but you can make them any scent you’d like or leave them unscented!

*NOTE: Because these are fresh gourds, they will only last about 3 weeks. For a longer lasting product, use a plastic or fake pumpkin/gourd.

What you’ll need:

• Gourds and mini pumpkins
• Sharp knife
• Spoon
• Wax flakes
• Candle wicks
• Candle scent
• Spoon

Step 1: Carve your pumpkin

Using a sharp carving knife, cut off the top of the pumpkin or gourd.

Keep the top for decor purposes.

Step 2: Scoop out inside and clean

Using a spoon, scoop out all of the flesh from the inside of the gourds and pumpkins as well as the seeds.

Make sure the inside of the gourd is as clean as possible before you continue.

Step 3: Melt wax and add scent

In a large double boiler, heat wax over low heat.

Stir the wax with a spoon while it melts and continue until wax is fully melted (and reaches about 160 degrees F).

Stir in drops of your chosen scent and mix well.

Remove from heat and let sit until thick (the consistency of a Slurpee).

Step 4: Fashion wick into the pumpkin

While the wax melts, fashion the wick into the pumpkin. Either glue or stick your wick (using an adhesive) into the center bottom of the pumpkin.

We found that hot gluing it kept the wick from moving when the wax was added.

Step 5: Carefully pour melted wax into the pumpkin

Holding the wick in place, carefully pour the hot wax into the pumpkins, filling about 2/3 to 3/4 full.

Step 6: Let sit to harden

The pumpkin candles will need to harden for at least 24 hours before lighting.

Keep them at room temperature or in a colder room to prevent the wax from remelting. Once wax has hardened, carefully cut the wicks so they are only slightly showing from above the rim of the pumpkin.

Then display and enjoy!

More fall DIY projects

DIY vintage paper leaf wreath
DIY fluffy burlap wreath
Make a fall welcome sign