How to Make an Advent Candle

There are many ways to count down the days until Christmas Eve arrives. Like an Advent calendar, an Advent candle is a fun and meaningful way for your family to enjoy the season, and it’s easy enough to create that you’ll want to make it part of your holiday tradition every year.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• White 12-inch taper candle
• 12-inch ruler
• Paint pens in various colors
• Paper towel
• Candlestick holder

1. Measure twice, mark once. You’ll need to measure off 24 spaces for the 24 days (nobody is going to think to burn the candle on Christmas Day). Begin by using a ruler to measure halfway down your candle. Mark that spot with a short horizontal line of about half an inch. Then divide the upper half and lower half in half again, marking as before. Keep dividing evenly until you have 24 evenly spaced marks.
2. Write in the numbers. Beginning above the first mark at the top of the candle, write a 1 in whatever color you choose. Then write a 2 between the first two lines. Keep going until all 24 numbers are filled in.
3. Decide how to decorate the rest of the candle. Fill in as much of the white space on the candle as you wish with season-appropriate symbols and sayings. If you’re afraid to test your artistic talents, simply write phrases such as “Ho, Ho, Ho” or “Joy to the World.”
4. Allow the candle to dry fully on a paper towel before handling it.
5. Burn your Advent candle. Mount it in a candle holder, and on December 1, light your candle. When the “1” is completely burned through, blow it out. The next night, light your candle again and burn through the “2.”

Tips & Warnings

• Before you begin marking the days of the month, you may want to set your candle in the holder you intend to use. Make note of how much of the bottom of the candle disappears into the holder so you don’t use that space for drawing or numbers.
• Pick up more than one taper candle in case you make a mistake. You can also make a second candle to give to a friend or family member.
• If you’re not a terribly good artist, you may want to practice your decorations on a sheet of paper first. Otherwise, your dove may turn out looking like a chicken.
• If you have trouble coming up with symbols to draw on your candle, ask your kids or partner about their favorite Christmas symbols. Some to consider: stars, Christmas trees, stockings, snowflakes, wreaths, candy canes, and a cross.
• Find paint pens, which write on all surfaces, at your local craft store.
• Even when your candle is dry, try to handle it as little as possible, as the markers transfer to skin. You don’t want your hard work to fade away.

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