DIY Tealights with Hidden Messages

These DIY tealights create a cozy atmosphere and reveal a hidden surprise message as the wax melts.

Tealights with small motifs or messages make for wonderful, personalized gifts that can be adapted for any occasion. Whether hand-drawn or printed, these candles serve as thoughtful tokens of appreciation, well wishes for recovery, or greetings for birthdays and weddings.

The paper messages are designed to be safe; they become saturated with wax and the candle burns only as long as sufficient wax is vaporized. The paper will not ignite.

Materials

• Tealights
• Paper
• Scissors and pen
• Printer

Crafting Tealights with Messages – Step-by-Step

Step 1: Choose and Print Messages or Motifs

For printed greetings or messages, write them on a computer, select your desired font, and print them out.

Step 2: Trace the Tealight Outline

Place a tealight over the writing on the paper and trace its outline with a pen. If the writing is too large, adjust the font size and reprint the message. For those who prefer to draw their own motifs or write messages by hand, draw the outline of the tealight onto paper and then draw or write directly within the circle. It’s best to position the writing above or below the center point to ensure the wick does not obscure the message later.

Step 3: Cut Out the Circle and Punch a Hole

Finally, cut out the messages with scissors and carefully make a small hole in the center using scissors or a knitting needle.

Step 4: Remove the Wick from its Holder

Gently pull the tealight out of its holder. Then, on the underside, carefully pull out the wick along with the metal disc that holds it. Removing the wick is important, as the metal disc could otherwise significantly cover the motif.

Step 5: Thread the Wick Through the Paper and Reinsert into the Candle

Thread the wick through the center of the paper circle containing the motif or message, and then carefully reinsert it into the tealight.

Step 6: Slide the Candle Back into the Holder

Slide the tealight, now adorned with the motif, back into its aluminum holder. The candles with surprise messages are now complete.

Enjoy gifting them!