My New Hobby Is Helping Me Win the Holidays This Year (and It’s Under $30!)

Whether I’m working on a deadline or unwinding with a movie at the end of a long day, I spend a lot of time in front of a screen. So lately, I’ve been on a quest to find screen-free hobbies to fill my free time. Plus, crafty Christmas is in — so I wondered, could I use a newfound hobby to DIY some super cute and sentimental gifts this holiday season? 

Then, I found VVF’s Candle Wax Pen Set — and unlocked my new favorite pastime, along with the perfect gift for all my family and friends.

The VVF Candle Wax Pen Set includes 12 pens that are pre-filled with colorful candle wax, which are ready to use to decorate the candles of your choice! I’m using taper candles. It’s such a fun way to upgrade basic candles into personalized gifts for family and friends! 

Plus, these candle wax pens couldn’t be easier to use: Hold a pen in your dominant hand, squeeze the base until a streak of wax comes out of the tip, and you basically just draw on your candle. 

If you take a gander on social media, you’ll notice that candle decorating is a pretty popular pursuit — but most people use candle wax paint and ultra-thin brushes to decorate their tapers. Sure, a paintbrush might provide a more detail-oriented illustration, but it’s not the best choice for people with minimal artistic skill or shaky hands. (Um, hi! Yes! Over here!) So this is the perfect option for beginner artists. 

I’ll be the first to admit that even with this kit, painting candles has a learning curve. Since it takes a few hours for the wax to harden, you need to carefully handle the tapers as you go so you don’t smudge your handiwork. The good news? You can always wipe off any mistakes with a damp paper towel and start again. 

I encourage you to embrace the imperfections, though; a crooked line or a wonky dot here and there just emphasizes the fact that these decorated candles are handmade, not store-bought. And that makes them that much more special. 

I’ve tried quite a few different motifs so far: dots and squiggles, snowflakes, holiday berries, and groovy flowers. I love that I can customize them with personalized doodles for each person on my list. I’ve been making them in pairs of two, then tying my tapers in twine for the cutest giftable set. And even after decorating 12 candles — and making many, many mistakes — I still have more than enough wax left over to make at least 12 more.

The VVF Candle Wax Pen Set is typically sold for $32, though it goes on sale often. Currently, you can grab a set for just $23! But above all, the thought and care that goes into these gifts? Well, that’s priceless.

Buy: VVF Candle Wax Pen Set, $23