Candle Making

Detailed information from Horst Reder (Wels, Austria), who has been offering candle-making workshops to the public and in schools for years. It’s a powerful form of public outreach. In Austria, it has been offered during the Advent season and at Christmas markets, and the proceeds are often donated to a social project (e.g., for a guide dog...).

Location

(organized by the youth group)

A large, public space, if possible, that can be well ventilated
or a covered area / tent
Good lighting
Ideal room temperature: approx. 18°C (the floor may need to be covered with plastic sheeting and old rugs)
Good lighting
- Electrical outlets must be available! – preferably a high-voltage power connection

Possibly another room for:

Coffee corner
Book table
Kids’ corner

Materials

(to be provided by the youth group)

enough extension cords, if necessary
If using a tent: Arrange for transportation; possibly radiant heaters or fan heaters (check with construction companies!)
Kitchen scale (preferably two—one for weighing the candles, one for preparing the wax mixture)
Decide what cause the proceeds will be donated to
Adhesive tape, wrapping paper (ask at a bakery or flower shop if possible)
Carry bags (ask at stores as well)
If desired: TV, VCR (organize videos yourself if possible; otherwise, coordinate with the person in charge)
Another great option would be some good music or an exciting audiobook
Old kitchen knives (for cutting the candles) and a utility knife (don’t leave them lying around!)
1 large work table and 1 smaller one, standard height, for pre-melting
Two timers
Enough cleaning rags and cleaning supplies
Tongs and gloves
Plastic scrapers for removing wax (car scrapers!)
Posters... (templates available for order)
possibly a small snack, tracts, ...
Labels for writing on, as well as colored pencils and pencils
Handheld fire extinguisher, first-aid kit
Cash register with change, calculator
Powerful hair dryer for removing wax residue, as well as tissue paper or blotting paper
1 old pot

Material

(to be sourced locally and made available afterward)

Information folder, beeswax and paraffin-stearin mixture, dye
Wicks in various thicknesses
1 hot plate, melting tubes, wooden lid
Price list (display prominently)
Hanging device for candles—only for in-person pickup
Thermometer (optimal temperature: 70°–73°C)
3 thermostat-controlled cooking pots
Old cable reel
Wooden boards for cutting and shaping
If desired: Tent (transport will be organized by the youth group)
If desired: invitation cards/posters that you still need to write on

By the way

Other services can also be offered:
(depending on the facilities, staff, etc.)

A video (that the children can watch if they get bored)
Coffee corner for parents: (coffee, cake, Christmas cookies)
Play area for toddlers (Duplo, etc.) -> organized by the youth group
Game room (various games)
Seating
Materials for on-site promotion
Book table: featuring children’s books, family books, and parenting books; possibly calendars, CDs, cassettes... Place Christian magazines, tracts, etc., available for free
Information booth about the youth group (with photos, children’s stories, etc.), possibly handouts

Time

Daily, from 2:00 p.m. at the earliest (homework) until 8:00 p.m. at the latest
Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (major event for families)
School classes can be invited in the mornings
Open program—children can come and go as they please
Possibly also “candle-making or candle-pouring workshops” for adults in the evenings

Staff

There should be 3–4 people for candle making (2–3 for melting wax and supervising, 1 for the cash register and packing)
For the coffee shop, 2 people from the congregation