DIY Candle Thank You Gifts

Written By Kasey Ross

This post has affiliate links to produce that I used when making these candles


If you’re looking for bridal shower, baby shower, party, wedding or teacher appreciate thank you gifts/favors that feel elevated, minimal, and expensive — but are secretly affordable and handmade — these DIY candles are it.

I made these chic, neutral vanilla-scented candles for my bridal shower, and they turned out even more beautiful than I imagined. Guests gave so many compliments and truly could not believe I made them myself.

The best part? They’re simple to create, customizable to any scent, and easy to package in a way that looks completely high-end.

Why Candles Make the Perfect Party/Shower Favour or Gift

Candles are:

  • Practical (everyone uses them)

  • Aesthetic and minimalistic decor

  • Easy to customize with scent + labels

  • Budget-friendly when made in batches

  • Universally loved

I chose to make vanilla candles because they’re warm, inviting, and generally neutral — perfect for a large group with different scent preferences. It smells beautiful without being overpowering.

You could absolutely change up the scent, I like to use essential oils for a more natural fragrance option.

The final look after they are packaged and displayed with the thank-you cookies I made.

 

How They Turned Out

These candles looked clean, minimal, and modern — exactly the vibe I wanted.

They smelled amazing without overwhelming the room, and once boxed with the custom stickers I made and ribbon, they genuinely looked boutique-quality.

The small paper boxes and custom stickers (designed in Canva and printed locally — you could also use Staples, VistaPrint, etc.) completely elevated the final look.

For the shower, I also made sugar cookies that say “thank you” and packaged those along side the candles. If you want to do something similar you can check out my blog post on how I made the sugar cookies for my shower here:

The Supplies I Used

Soy Wax & Candle Making Supplies Kit

This kit has all the essentials for making the candles and is a 100% natural soy wax. The wax, the wicks, the wick holders and the wick stickers which keep the wicks stuck to the bottom are all included.

To figure out how many lbs of wax you need to buy you need to first pick your vessel. I used 10 oz vessels, and after a quick Google search I was able to determine that each 10 oz jar needed about 0.50 - 0.55 lbs of wax to fill it to the proper amount. I made 35 candles so I multiplied that by 0.55 lbs which came to 19.25lb. So I ordered 20lb of wax.

Quick reference:
* 7 oz vessel -> 0.35 - 0.40 lbs of wax
* 8 oz vessel -> 0.40 - 0.45 lbs of wax
* 9 oz vessel -> 0.45 - 0.50 lbs of wax
* 10 oz vessel -> 0.50 - 0.55 lbs of wax

Candle Vessels/Jars

I chose a cream-colored vessel because I wanted something neutral that would complement all of my guests’ homes. Here are some of my favorite options in the 7–10 oz candle size. To me, 10 oz was the maximum size I wanted to use — not only because the larger the candle, the more wax required (and therefore the higher the cost), but also because the 7–10 oz size fits beautifully in many areas of the home, whether in a bathroom, on a coffee table, or on a bedside table. Some of these options even come with stickers that say “handmade with love” ready to use on the jar!

Fragrance Oil

I chose to use a Vanilla Oil to scent my candles. I liked it because it was mild and warm. I used this Gya Labs Vanilla Essential Oil:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079J8953S?smid=A31LSP1L7F6XJ2&th=1&linkCode=ll2&tag=createcozychi-20&linkId=2b8c2667c1086631f2db10f70004cc62&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

Some other natural essential oil smells that are quite neutral are:
* Eucalyptus for a spa like smell - Handcraft Blends Eucalyptus Essential Oil
* Lemon for a fresh summery smell - SVA Lemon Essential Oil

Small Boxes for Packaging

If you like the brown box look here are some options for you:
Valbox 50 Pack Brown 4x4x4 Gift Box (This is what I used)

If you don’t need 50 boxes you can buy 25 boxes here.

If you prefer the look of a white box here are 2 options:
25 Pack of White 4x4x4 Boxes
50 Pack of White 4x4x4 Boxes

Stickers/Labels

You can print your own tickets at home if you have a laser/inkjet printer! I designed my sticker in canva and printed 2 different types.
I used a 2x3” Label Sticker on the candle jars: Premium Label Supply White Stickers
I used a 2x4” Label Sticker for the outside of my box : L Linked 2x4 Label Stickers, Printable White

The Final Touch - Ribbon

I used a satin ribbon around the boxes of my candles but I really love the look of the linen and sheer ribbons as well!

Step-by-Step: How to Make DIY Bridal Shower Candles

This process is very beginner-friendly.

1. Set Up Your Workspace

Line up all your candle vessels on a table or countertop.

Place your wicks inside each vessel and secure them using:

  • The wick holders included in your kit
    OR

  • Two wooden skewers resting across the rim (secure together with elastics and place wick between them)

Make sure the wick is centered.

2. Melt the Wax

Melt your wax in a large pot on the stove.

I used an old thrifted pot just in case cleanup was difficult afterward.

Follow the melting instructions provided with your specific wax type.

⚠️ Be careful — hot wax can burn.

3. Add Fragrance

Once fully melted:

  • Add the instructed amount of vanilla fragrance oil (or essential oils).

  • Stir thoroughly to distribute evenly.

4. Pour the Wax

Because I was making a large batch, I used a glass measuring cup with a handle to scoop wax from the pot and pour more easily.

Tips:

  • Wipe the bottom of your measuring cup with paper towel to avoid drips.

  • Pour slowly to prevent bubbles.

  • Fill to about ¾ inch below the rim.

You can gently tap the sides of the vessel to release air bubbles.

5. Smooth the Top (Pro Tip)

Save an amount of wax to smooth out the tops after.

Once the candles begin to set, if you notice imperfections or sinkholes, pour a thin top layer to smooth everything out.

Let candles dry completely — I left mine overnight.

6. Label + Package

Once fully hardened:

  • Trim wicks

  • Apply your sticker to the jar if you are doing one

  • Place into favour boxes

  • Add your box label

  • Tie with silky ribbon

And that’s it.

Simple — but looks completely custom and elevated.

Cost Breakdown: Why DIY Is Worth It

Making candles in batches significantly reduces the cost per candle compared to buying boutique candles individually.

Yet they look just as beautiful — if not more personal.

And when guests find out you made them? Instant wow factor.

I made a total of 36 candles (I kept one for myself, of course)
$40 - 2lbs of Wax & Wicks Kit
$10 - Vanilla Essential Oil
$96 - 36 Candle Jars
$15 - 50 Pack of Gift Boxes
$12 - White Ribbon
$24 - Print at home sticker/label packs.
$197 Total

Divided by 36 candles comes to $5.47 per candle!!!!

Customization Ideas

You can easily personalize these for:

  • Bridal showers

  • Baby showers

  • Wedding favors

  • Engagement parties

  • Holiday hostess gifts

Scent ideas:

  • Lavender

  • Coconut

  • Sandalwood

  • Citrus blends like orange or lemon

  • Eucalyptus mint

  • Seasonal scents

Final Thoughts

These DIY bridal shower candles were one of my favorite projects. They looked high-end, smelled incredible, and felt thoughtful without being overwhelming.

With simple packaging, neutral labels, and a beautiful scent, they became a favor that guests were genuinely excited to take home.

If you’re planning a bridal shower and want something minimal, chic, and meaningful — I highly recommend making these candles!

Kasey Ross