AKA: How I’m Keeping the Wick Lit… and Myself Too.
Every year, as soon as the first leaf drops and someone whispers “pumpkin spice,” my candle-making brain flips into full holiday mode. Before I know it, I’m testing winter fragrances in 90-degree weather, hand-pouring wax at midnight, and wondering if peppermint essential oil can be considered a personality trait. Welcome to the magical, merry chaos of creating my Christmas candle collection—a season that is equal parts joy, glitter, coconut-apricot wax… and caffeine.
As a small candle business owner who also works a full-time job, the holiday season is something of an Olympic event. Except my hurdles are “meet retail demand,” “ship orders on time,” and “remember to buy groceries.”
The Joys: Why I Do It Every Year Anyway
Designing a holiday candle line is truly one of my favorite parts of the year. There’s nothing quite like turning a vintage vessel into a glowing keepsake or hand-painting a wax ornament that looks like it could hang on a Christmas tree. It’s creative, it’s festive, and it’s an excuse to sniff cinnamon, fir, and cranberry for hours “for research purposes.”
Each year I get to bring customers brand-new handmade Christmas candles infused with personality, craftsmanship, and clean-burning luxury. Seeing someone light up (pun very intended) when they discover a scent that reminds them of home? Pure magic. These little creations become gifts, décor, memory-makers—and that’s what keeps me pouring.
The Woes: Hustle, Bustle, and Holiday Muscle
But let’s be honest: running a handmade candle shop during the holiday season means embracing the hustle. Retail demand peaks, everyone suddenly remembers they need gifts, and USPS becomes either my best friend or my holiday villain (no in between).
There are nights when I’m pouring wax at 1 a.m. because the daytime belongs to my 9–5. Weekends often turn into “marathon candle-making sessions,” and my kitchen becomes a festive wax lab. I’m juggling inventory, photographing products, managing my website, answering messages, and trying very hard to avoid smelling like a walking Christmas tree at my job. (Spoiler: I fail every time.)
And somewhere in the middle of it all, I’m also trying to, you know… enjoy the season myself. Drink some cocoa. Look at some lights. Remember what the outside world looks like.
The Balance: Finding Moments of Calm in the Candle Craze
The truth is, even in the madness, I wouldn’t trade it. Creating a Christmas candle collection from home—while navigating work, life, and the never-ending sparkle of the retail season—is a joyful whirlwind that reminds me why I started this business in the first place. It’s a labor of love… heavy on both the labor and the love.
So whether you’re a fellow small business owner burning the candle at both ends (literally), a customer curious about what happens behind the scenes, or someone who simply loves supporting handmade holiday magic—thank you for being part of this season with me.
Your support helps keep my wicks burning, my creativity flowing, and my holiday spirit glowing (even when I’m running on very little sleep and very strong coffee).