Make a custom mug candle in minutes with this simple craft that\u2019s perfect for girls nights, craft nights, and more! We hosted a girls night where we all made our very own mug candles, and it was one of the best fall parties ever! <\/p>\n Enter your email below and we\u2019ll send this idea straight to your inbox (plus you\u2019ll receive tons of fun weekly ideas from us!)<\/p>\n <\/div>\n There\u2019s something about fall that just makes me want to craft and make all the cozy things. Over the past few years, we\u2019ve hosted craft nights to make sweater pumpkins, cozy sweatshirts, and even rope pumpkins! <\/p>\n When we were looking for supplies for another craft night, we saw these cute Halloween spooky mug candles, but they were like $25 each and not the colors or styles that we wanted. <\/p>\n But we loved the idea \u2013 so we bought a bunch of mugs at a thrift store, grabbed candle making supplies, and tested out the idea a couple of times at home to make sure it worked! Spoiler alert \u2013 it did! <\/p>\n Once we knew the craft worked, we invited a bunch of our girlfriends over and had our own make your own mug candle craft night. We ate all sorts of fall treats like fall snack mix, pumpkin snickderdoodles, and of course drank some spiced apple cider. You can\u2019t have a fall party without a fall drink! <\/p>\n Whether you want to do this on your own at home or invite people over for a fall craft night, you can use our step by step tutorial to create the cutest, coziest, candle crafts ever! <\/p>\n To be completely transparent, we ordered this candle making kit for our party. It was probably overkill and way more than we needed, but it also meant that we knew we had everything we needed for as many people as we wanted. It also included instructions for making candles, which was super helpful since we had never made homemade candles before! Oh and it also included the amount of wax you needed per ounce, which was also super helpful! <\/p>\n If you want easy, go with a candle making kit \u2013 just know you might have supplies leftover for another candle craft later. If you want to get just what you need, I\u2019ve included the supplies below. But know that after you add up the cost of all of these things, the price of the candle making kit ends up being cheaper in most cases! <\/p>\n In addition to the actual candle making supplies, you\u2019ll need the following to turn them into mug candles! <\/p>\n I am by no means an expert in the art of candle making. Lucky for me, there are easy-to-use kits that made it super simple to make these cute decorative candles despite my beginner status. So this tutorial is going to be more about how to make the mug candle than how to make a candle in general. <\/p>\n The first thing you need to do is make the base candle so that it\u2019s ready to decorate and finish. Here\u2019s the process we used! <\/p>\n For our girls night, we asked everyone which mug they wanted, what color they wanted, and what scent they wanted. We prepped the candles ahead of time since we didn\u2019t have that much time for our girls night and wanted everyone to go home with a finished candle. If you have enough time, you can definitely do the entire process below during your craft night! <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Figure out how much wax the mug can hold<\/strong> by weighing the amount of water it can hold on a kitchen scale. For each ounce of water, you\u2019ll need that many ounces of wax flakes. So a mug that holds six ounces of water needs six ounces of wax flakes. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n Use the wax melter to melt the wax<\/strong> until it is completely liquid. (If you\u2019re using a candle making kit, I recommend following whatever instructions it comes with.) <\/p>\n<\/li>\n Add the scent and coloring you\u2019d like to the melted wax,<\/strong> stirring it in with a popsicle stick. And don\u2019t be like me and try food coloring \u2013 it definitely doesn\u2019t work! Again, follow any instructions that come with the coloring or candle making kit if you have them! <\/p>\n<\/li>\n Add the wick to the center of the mug<\/strong>, pushing it down firmly so it sticks to the bottom of the mug. Then carefully place either a wick holder (often come with packs of wicks) or chopsticks or even popsicles sticks around the wick to keep it centered as you pour in the wax. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n Pour almost all of the melted wax into your mug<\/strong>, leaving a few tablespoons out. Pour those remaining tablespoons into a small microwave safe bowl and save for later. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n Because we all wanted different colored candles and different scents, I had to melt the wax individually. If you are making one candle or are only doing one color for the group, then you can melt all your wax at one time. This would save you a lot of time and could easily be done in a large saucepan.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Now you need to wait for the wax to harden. The amount of time it takes will largely depend on how big the candle is and how hot your house is but I\u2019d say it took 1-2 hours for our wax to solidify enough to do the craft. <\/p>\n This is a great time to hang out, eat some fall snack mix, talk, make sweater pumpkins, or watch a movie. <\/p>\n You can also speed up the cooling process by putting them in the fridge or freezer, but it will likely cause your candles to crack, so I don\u2019t recommend it if you want candles with a nice smooth top. <\/p>\n The wait is finally over; it\u2019s time for the fun part, designing the candles! <\/p>\n Choose whatever beads and letters you want<\/strong> to design your candle. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n Lay the design out on the hardened candle top<\/strong> to see what it\u2019ll look like and figure out your spacing. It can have a cute fall saying, beaded pattern, or whatever makes you happy! <\/p>\n<\/li>\n Remove the design<\/strong> from the candle and set aside for a minute. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n Melt the extra tablespoons of wax<\/strong> that you saved (that match you color and scent) in the microwave \u2013 heat for 30 second increments until liquified.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Spoon the liquified wax on top of your candle top<\/strong>, just adding enough to do a thin layer of wax \u2013 you may not use it all and that\u2019s okay. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n Immediately place the design on top<\/strong> of the melted candle wax, using tweezers for perfect placement (and to avoid burning your fingers on the hot wax). Try to be precise \u2013 the more you move them around, the more ridges you\u2019ll end up with around your designs. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n Let it dry and harden<\/strong>, giving you the cutest little mug candles! <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n If you forget to save some extra wax, you can also just use a lighter to remelt the top layer of the wax, then place the design on top. We tried this on a few of our candles and while it doesn\u2019t give you the same clean layer as the above method does, it works in a pinch. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Once your design is in, leave it on a flat surface to dry. This should only take a couple of minutes. <\/p>\n After the wax is set, you\u2019ve got a festive mug candle ready to be enjoyed. Here are a few of the designs my friends came up with during our candle mug craft night! I love how creative they were with this! <\/p>\n No, I used a kit because it had everything I needed. If you have supplies already, you can just use those. If you don\u2019t have the supplies, the candle making kit was definitely the most affordable way to go. <\/p>\n<\/details>\n That is hard to answer since it depends on what mug you are making and how many. The average mug holds 8 \u2013 12 ounces, so roughly 3\/4 a pound per mug.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n Absolutely \u2013 just know that once you start using the candles, your design will never look the same. I\u2019m personally using my candle more as a decor item in my office, but you can use it however you want! <\/p>\n<\/details><\/div>\n If you have a limited amount of time for this craft and want to do it together at a party, prep the candles ahead of time<\/strong> by filling them and letting them harden at room temperature. Then just finish the craft for your girls night! <\/p>\n Try not to move the design around <\/strong>after you place it. The more you tinker and try to get things just right, the more ridges your wax will have once it dries. <\/p>\n These are intended to be decor<\/strong>, so if you choose to melt them, the design will melt with it. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Cook: <\/span>15 minutes<\/span><\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Total: <\/span>1 hour<\/span><\/span> hour<\/span> 15 minutes<\/span><\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Serves <\/span>1<\/span><\/p>\n Figure out how much wax the mug can hold\u00a0by weighing the amount of water it can hold on a kitchen scale. For each ounce of water, you\u2019ll need that many ounces of wax flakes. So a mug that holds six ounces of water needs six ounces of wax flakes.<\/span><\/p>\n mug<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Use the wax melter to melt the wax\u00a0until it is completely liquid. (If you\u2019re using a candle making kit, I recommend following whatever instructions it comes with.)<\/span><\/p>\n candle wax<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Let the wax cool down until its temperature reaches 185\u00b0F. Add the scent and coloring you\u2019d like to the melted wax,<\/strong>\u00a0stirring it in with a popsicle stick. Again, follow any instructions that come with the coloring or candle making kit if you have them!<\/span><\/p>\n candle scents, <\/span>candle coloring<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Add the wick to the center of the mug, pushing it down firmly so it sticks to the bottom of the mug. Then carefully place either a wick holder (often come with packs of wicks) or chopsticks or even popsicles sticks around the wick to keep it centered as you pour in the wax.<\/span><\/p>\n candle wick<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Pour almost all of the melted wax into your mug, leaving a few tablespoons out. Pour those remaining tablespoons into a small microwave safe bowl and save for later.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Allow the candle to harden completely, this can take 1-2 hours depending on how large your mugs are. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Once hardened, use beads to create a design on the candle. Lay the design out on the hardened candle top\u00a0to see what it\u2019ll look like and figure out your spacing. Once you\u2019ve finalized the design, remove it and set aside. <\/span><\/p>\n fall beads + letters<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Melt the extra tablespoons of wax\u00a0that you saved (that match you color and scent) in the microwave \u2013 heat for 30 second increments until liquified.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Spoon the liquified wax on top of your candle top, just adding enough to do a thin layer of wax \u2013 you may not use it all and that\u2019s okay.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Immediately place the design on top\u00a0of the melted candle wax, using tweezers for perfect placement (and to avoid burning your fingers on the hot wax). Try to be precise \u2013 the more you move them around, the more ridges you\u2019ll end up with around your designs.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Once your design is in, leave it on a flat surface to dry. This should only take a couple of minutes. Once it\u2019s hardened, it\u2019s ready to enjoy. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n If you need even more fall crafts for your craft night, try one of these fun fall activities!<\/p>\n Want more easy party ideas like this one? Enter your first name and email address in the form below to join the Play Party Plan community! You\u2019ll receive weekly party ideas, games, and recipes directly to your inbox!<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"mug](\"https:\/\/www.playpartyplan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/cozy-candle-craft-3.jpg\"\/)
<\/figure>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.playpartyplan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/mug-candle-craft-idea.jpg\")
<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.playpartyplan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/stars-light.svg\"\/)
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWant to save this Idea?<\/h2>\n
Candle Mug Making Craft Night<\/h2>\n
![\"women](\"https:\/\/www.playpartyplan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/cozy-candle-craft-6.jpg\"\/)
<\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.playpartyplan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/check-light.svg\"\/)
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nSupplies<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
![\"supplies](\"https:\/\/www.playpartyplan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/mug-candle-supplies.jpg\"\/)
<\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.playpartyplan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/rotate-light.svg\"\/)
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nSupply Notes<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
Supplies to Make Candles<\/h3>\n
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Supplies to Make theMug Candles<\/h3>\n
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![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.playpartyplan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/mug-candle-craft.jpg\"\/)
<\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.playpartyplan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/utensils-light.svg\"\/)
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nHow to make A Mug Candle<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
1 \u2013 Melt and Color the Wax<\/h3>\n
Note!<\/h2>\n
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Melting tip!<\/h2>\n
![\"four](\"https:\/\/www.playpartyplan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/mug-candle-craft-collage1.jpg\"\/)
<\/figure>\n2 \u2013 Let Wax Harden<\/h3>\n
![\"mugs](\"https:\/\/www.playpartyplan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/mug-candle-craft-7.jpg\"\/)
<\/figure>\n3 \u2013 Create Your Mug Candle Design <\/h3>\n
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![\"four](\"https:\/\/www.playpartyplan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/mug-candle-craft-collage2.jpg\"\/)
<\/figure>\n 4 \u2013 Finish the candles<\/h3>\n
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Tip!<\/h2>\n
![\"two](\"https:\/\/www.playpartyplan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/mug-candle-craft-collage3.jpg\"\/)
<\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.playpartyplan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/cozy-candle-craft-5.jpg\"\/)
<\/figure>\nCraft FAQs<\/h2>\n
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Do I have to buy a candle making kit?<\/h3>\n<\/summary>\n
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How much wax do I need?<\/h3>\n<\/summary>\n
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Can I actually use these candles?<\/h3>\n<\/summary>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.playpartyplan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/icon-embellishment-star.svg\"\/){kind=icon}
<\/figure>\nHelpful Tips <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
![\"mug](\"https:\/\/www.playpartyplan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/cozy-candle-craft-4.jpg\"\/)
<\/figure>\n\n
\nTry not to move the design around\u00a0<\/strong>after you place it. The more you tinker and try to get things just right, the more ridges your wax will have once it dries.<\/span>
\nThese are intended to be decor<\/strong>, so if you choose to melt them, the design will melt with it.<\/span>
\nIf you forget to save some extra wax, you can also just use a lighter to remelt the top layer of the wax, then place the design on top. We tried this on a few of our candles and while it doesn\u2019t give you the same clean layer as the above method does, it works in a pinch.<\/span>
\nBecause we all wanted different colored candles and different scents, I had to melt the wax individually. If you are making one candle or are only doing one color for the group, then you can melt all your wax at one time. This would save you a lot of time and could easily be done in a large saucepan.<\/span>
\n\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.playpartyplan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/plus-light.svg\"\/)
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nMore Fall Crafts<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.playpartyplan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/child-light.svg\"\/)
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWant more Party Ideas?<\/h2>\n