Our last Family Day, in December, celebrated the winter holidays.
Throughout the world, the winter holidays can be a time to think about the traditions we share and what is most important to us. Many people celebrate with delicious foods, festive music and sparkling lights. What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?
The winter solstice occurs in December. It marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The winter solstice is known as the return of the light, because from this day forward, daylight hours begin to increase. Many winter holidays began as a way to celebrate the return of the sun. People would light candles, burn warm fires and decorate their homes with twinkling lights. This festive tradition of light continues today for many different winter holidays. How does your family celebrate the winter season with light?
Now it is your turn to make your own holiday candle.
You will need the following supplies:
- Scissors
- Beeswax sheets (you can get these online from a candle-making supply company)
- Wick string
- Holiday cookie cutters (optional)
- Choose a colored beeswax sheet for the main color of your candle. Place the sheet on a clean, flat surface.
- Place the wick string parallel to and ⅛ inch away from the edge of the sheet you’re about to roll. With the end of the wick lined up with the bottom edge of your sheet, cut the wick one inch longer than the height of the sheet.
- Firmly push the wick into place. Begin to roll the edge of the wax over the wick, pinching the wick into the wax.
- Roll the sheet away from you, making sure the bottom edge is lined up as you roll for an even thickness. Once you’re done rolling the sheet, press the edges down firmly with your thumb to secure them.
- Using scissors or holiday cookie cutters, cut out shapes from different colored wax sheets to decorate your candle. Press them onto it to make them stick. Mix and match shapes and colors to create your favorite holiday symbols.
- Trim the wick to ¼ inch before you light your candle to ensure it burns correctly.
- To fit your candle into a candle holder, you can pinch the bottom edge to make it smaller. Light it upright on non-flammable flat surfaces only.
