Snowy Christmas Scene Centerpiece Project

The following directions are for creating a snowy Christmas scene centerpiece for you to enjoy throughout the holiday season. These beautiful Christmas scene centerpieces make wonderful decorations and gifts for your friends and family.

This is a list of items needed to complete one centerpiece:

Paraffin Wax - one to three pounds (depending on the size you want your centerpiece to be when finished)

A flat piece of Cardboard - Cut in a round or oval shape and to the size you have chosen your centerpiece to be. This will be the base of the centerpiece.

A taper candle

A double boiler (One in which you are not going to be preparing food in again.) If you do not have a double boiler, you can also use two separate pots, one a little larger than the other. Fill the larger pot about a third of the way with water. The smaller pot will be where the wax is melted down. The smaller pot will sit inside the larger pot. When the water in the larger pot heats, it causes the to melt the wax, without using direct heat. These methods are the safest way to melt wax. It is not recommended to use direct heat.

Various small Christmas figurines. (small trees, towns people, sleds, miniature light pole, etc...)

Clear white glitter (optional)

A large stainless steel bowl.

Directions:

Step One: Start by melting two pounds of wax. If more wax is needed it can be melted and added before moving on to step two. Use low to medium heat. Be very careful when melting the wax, never leave it unattended. Each type of wax has a different flash point (the temperature in which the wax melts). Use a glass candy thermometer to measure your temperature. Never let the wax exceed 250 degrees Fahrenheit. For more information on melting wax visit candletech.com.

Step Two: Once all the wax is melted, pour it into the stainless steel bowl. It is now time to whip the wax. Whipping the wax is very easy. Simply use a whisk or a fork and begin beating the wax just as would if you were beating eggs to make scrambled eggs. As the wax begins to cool, you will notice the wax will start to look like soapy dish water. Then it will start to turn back to a white color and become slushy in appearance looking more like snow. As you whip the wax be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl to prevent the wax from sticking to the bowl. Whip the wax until you have achieved the appearance of snow.

Step Three: After you have reached the desired appearance for your wax, begin placing the whipped snow wax onto the cardboard cut out. Cover the entire piece of cardboard with a coat of the whipped wax. Sprinkle white glitter over the whipped snow to make it glisten and sparkle. Place the taper candle into the whipped wax in the center of the cardboard. Place the whipped snow wax around the taper candle holding it up with your hand until it is stable enough to stand on its own. Place the other miniature figurines you have chosen around the candle in various spots. If necessary add small amounts of whipped snow wax around the base of the figurines to help secure them once the wax hardens. Allow the centerpiece to set for approximately three to four hours.

Try adding different decorations such as holly berries, evergreen, bows, ribbon, poinsettia flowers etc.. to give the centerpiece a different look. There are many different variations you can try. Keep in mind, the centerpiece candles are not meant to be burnt. I am sure this will make a beautiful addition to your holiday decor as it has to mine.