my care2
make a difference
healthy & green living: more than 5,000 ways to enhance your life

customize your free newsletter

Customize your Healthy & Green Living newsletter now


Make Floating Pumpkin Candles

posted by Annie B. Bond Jan 9, 2001 2:03 am
Make Floating Pumpkin Candles
15 comments

By Annie B. Bond

One of my favorite decorations for the fall season is to make floating pumpkin candles.

We put them on our harvest dinner table in blue glass bowls filled with water, where they float and they look just beautiful.

Here’s how to make your own:

Food markets that carry local harvest produce often offer miniature pumpkins. They are 3″-4″ across. Buy six to eight of these pumpkins, and the same number of votive candles (pure beeswax votives, if you can find them). Hold a votive candle over the top of the pumpkin and trace a circle around it. Using a knife, carefully cut out the circle so that a votive candle will fit into the hole snugly. Repeat with all the candles. Fill bowls or pails with water, light the candles and float the pumpkins in the water.

More on Crafts & Hobbies (110 articles available)
More from Annie B. Bond (3247 articles available)

15 comments

15 comments

add your comment »
15 comments add your comment
Michelle H.

I love the idea but I could use a picture since I learn visualy. I think I will try them for my pond for the haloween season. Maybe tea lights instead of votives so I can put the metal part in and leave it, just replacing the candles?

Kathy Logan

On halloween nite, it would look good floating in the swimming pool.

Alicia Wright

This is a fabulous idea! I will try this!! Thanks!:)

Alicia Wright

Wonderful idea!! I am going to do this!!

Dou Liping

Interesting! I will try.

Dou Liping

Intersting! I will try.

randi m.

plase read Cindy M's cmments...She states a fact that most of us overlook, or take for granted...

Kristina D.

I would suggest using soy candles.

Cindy M.

I was at first outraged at the idea of somebody refusing to eat honey. However, I have since learned why. I know it's a stretch for many to have empathy for the bees, but please consider what I have to say. The reason it's specified to use beeswax candles is because regular candles are made with petrolium products. Very NON green. And beeswax, I've heard burning it actually cleans the air. They're also very nice! BUT, environmentally, the bees' lives are in great danger, which in turn strongly affects our food system. Most companies who provide us honey are very damaging to their health. These are endangered species, meaning not only for themselves, but for ourselves they are necessary. Bees are weakened with either smoke or poison, to have their items stolen from them (honey, beeswax, etc.) And their honey, which they need to survive, is replaced with cheap white sugar, nowhere near as healthy. Their lives are already in danger. Besides, you've heard the term "busy as a bee", well, it's a saying because they fly the equivalent of going around the world something like 2 times, for something small like, half a tablespoon. It might be more or less, but the point is, it's a lot. And then we steal if from them. I admit I haven't looked into wht seems to be some of the better companies, like Clarks or Ambrosia, but we've got things like soy candles and Agave Nectar. Why do we need to hurt bees? If anything, take into consideration of checking out the companies.

ma Zee
  • ma Zee says
  • Oct 3, 2007 2:55 PM

I have seen this idea used with tealights, those are the short little candles usually in an aluminum cup, and can be bought by the bag. The tealights they have their own container plus are shorter and melt down right into the container. Also be forewarned the mini pumpkins are very dense and hard to cut and sharp knives have to be used so be cautious when carving the hole out.

Please enter your comment.
Or, log in with your
Facebook account:
1500 characters remaining

who's talking about this story?

Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

910

Copyright © 2009 Care2.com, inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved