Simple scented candles could be your new go-to DIY gift

Ribbon-wrapped mason jars filled with jams, preserves, candied nuts and spice rubs will pass between neighbors, family members, party hosts and co-workers this holiday season. Would you rather give a non-edible gift? Try a homemade candle in a jar.

Economical and practical (who doesn't want their house to smell like cinnamon and vanilla?), jar candles are also surprisingly fast and simple to make. You don't need any special equipment and you can buy the supplies (wax and wicks) on Amazon if that's most convenient.

Here's one quick-and-dirty way for beginners to make scented candles at home.

Supplies needed

• 1 clean aluminum can (large or small, depending on how many candles you are making)
• Flaked candle wax (for these candles, we used soy wax), roughly twice as much flaked wax as you need melted wax
• Wooden skewers (1 for stirring and 1 for each candle you plan to make)
• Candy thermometer (optional, but recommended)
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground cloves
• Clean glass jars
• Candle wicks

Instructions

Fill can with flaked wax (as much as will fit; you will add more once it starts to melt down). Place in heavy-bottomed saucepan or pot filled one-third of the way with water. Bring water to a simmer. If can begins to float or tip, place a heat-proof plate over the top to keep it in place.

Maintain water at a simmer and stir wax with wooden skewer. As wax melts down, add additional flaked wax, stirring, until you have enough melted wax to fill your desired number of jars. For reference: a standard can holds 15 to 16 ounces. A quarter-pint mason jar holds 4 ounces and a half-pint holds 8 ounces. To make the two candles pictured, I melted enough wax to fill the can about three-quarters of the way.

For best results, when wax is melted, place candy thermometer in wax and bring to wax manufacturer's recommended temperature for adding fragrance. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon and ½ teaspoon ground cloves for about every 2 cups of melted wax. Stir vigorously until spices are blended in.

Pour a thin layer of wax in the bottom of each jar. Place a wick in each jar.

When wax begins to turn opaque, use tip of skewer to press base of wick into place, centered on bottom of jar. Use twist ties or rubber bands to secure two skewers, or two halves of a broken skewer, around the wick to keep it centered.

When wax cools to optimal pouring temperature (according to manufacturer's instructions), vigorously stir wax again to mix spices throughout and pour wax into jars, leaving ¼ inch space at the top.

Leave candles to cool slowly at room temperature (cooling too fast can cause cracks). When wax is solid, remove skewers and trim wick to ¼ inch.