Outdoor Entertaining: Tis the Season for a Candle-Making Party
Greetings, friends. How quickly we have moved from endless summer to season’s greetings. Seems like one day we’re searching for sweaters while sipping on pumpkin lattes, and the next, we’re hustling and bustling our way to peppermint mochas. I’m ready, and it’s about time we plan a little holiday gathering. Sure, the weather might not allow for an outdoor event, but we’ll find a way to bring the outdoors in when friends come to call for a fun Christmastime celebration.
Inspired by one of my favorite HGTV shows, my idea is to host a small group of ladies for an evening of candle-making fun using some fragrant essential oils and herbs from the garden. Surprisingly, candle-making is not nearly as difficult as I imagined, and the enormous rosemary shrub still thriving in my yard will be more than a sufficient resource for this party. Whip up some festive drinks and appetizers, and we have a party.
For this event, setting the stage means gathering and setting up all the necessary candle-making supplies; in fact, I suggest practicing a little candle-making before your party, so you are comfortable with the process. It is suggested that a 50/50 mix of beeswax and soy wax works best, so have enough for each guest to make two candles. As far as fragrance, keep it simple by using only two, orange and rosemary this first time. While a variety of herbs could be used, too, we’ll just use the rosemary. The rich, earthy tones of an evergreen like rosemary seems appropriate for the season, but thyme, lavender and mint could be nice, as well. Whatever herb you choose, you’ll want to have them pressed as flat as possible ahead of time. To pretty-up the candles, have a supply of decorative holiday ribbon available to tie around the jars when complete.
Here is a complete list of supplies and tools we will need:
Supplies
½ pound beeswax and ½ pound soy wax (this makes two candles, so multiply by the number of guests)
6-inch candle wicks
Glue dots
Essential oils (rule of thumb is to use ½ ounce to 1 ounce of fragrance per pound of wax)
Pressed rosemary sprigs (or whatever herb you choose)
8-ounce canning jars (two per guest)
Variety of holiday ribbon
Tools
Tin can or metal pitcher for wax
Saucepan (to create a double boiler)
Tongs
Craft paintbrushes (one per guest)
Clothespins
Popsicle sticks
Tea towels
With all the supplies organized and displayed, gather guests around a table with an appetizer and a seasonal cocktail while you demonstrate first. I suggest you do all the wax melting in a few batches, mix in oils, and allow guests to prepare herbs and wicks, then pour the wax.
Here is the method:
Press rosemary sprigs between heavy books for a few days so they are flat and dry. Cut the rosemary sprigs to length so they will sit at least 1 inch below the rim of the jar.
Blend your oils. I’ll use half rosemary and half orange.
Create a double boiler using a saucepan with an inch or two of water and a metal pitcher or tin can. Place the wax into the pitcher and let melt completely.
While the wax is melting, use tongs to dip the rosemary sprigs into the melted wax and then place against the side of the jar. Use a craft paintbrush to brush melted wax over the rosemary to hold it in place.
Cut your wick to size, then add a glue dot to the bottom and place it into the center of your jar. Use a clothespin to secure the wick and keep it centered by resting the clothespin on top of the jar.
Once your wax is melted, remove it from the pan and use a popsicle stick to stir in the essential oils. Then pour the wax into each prepared jar. Let dry.
Wrap the outside of the jars in a dish towel and set aside to set and cool.
Candles will need to cure for 48 hours but after a couple of hours can be transported by guests. Once cured, instruct guests to trim the wicks with scissors.
Let guests choose ribbon for decorating.
Now with the activity established, let’s prepare some food and drink. First is our signature cocktail. We need one that can be made in a large batch because you’ll be busy melting wax. An easy and seasonal selection is a Cranberry Kringle. Peach schnapps, vodka and cranberry juice can be mixed ahead and shaken as needed while garnish is already on hand – just add a rosemary sprig and you have a refreshing seasonal delight!
Walk-around finger foods will be best with this activity, and you can prepare this culinary work of art the day before. Plan to spend a little time to have fun with this recipe: Christmas Tree Focaccia Bread. It takes some time, but not much hands-on time (except for the decorating), and the result is impressive, even if, like me, your art talent is limited. Again, using herbs – rosemary, sage and thyme – and some dried cranberries (you can add a few to your Cranberry Kringle cocktail, too), you’ll create a Christmas tree on the prepared bread dough before baking. Once baked and cooled, wrap in plastic (up to two days). To serve, just heat, cut in small squares – after displaying your work for all to admire, of course – and serve with a delicious seasoned dipping oil. You can supplement the apps with more, if you choose, but remember hands will be busy much of the time, so don’t overprepare. A plate of cheeses and fruits will complement your focaccia nicely.
Finally, decorate your cooled candles with pretty ribbon and enjoy the fragrant fruits of your labor. Guests will leave happy with some holiday décor or gifts to give and, perhaps even a new hobby. Sharing a fun festive evening with friends is just what makes this the most wonderful time of the year!
Cranberry Kringle
This recipe is for one drink, but you can mix a pitcher of ingredients, then use 5 ounces of the mixture, adding ice and shaking for each individual drink.
Ingredient per drink:
3 ounces cranberry juice cocktail
1 ounce peach schnapps
1 ounce vodka
Ice
Instructions:
Place ingredients in cocktail shaker, shake and serve immediately.
Christmas Tree Focaccia Bread
Ingredients:
1 cup of warm water
2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
¼ teaspoon honey
2½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 bunch of fresh sage
1 bunch of fresh rosemary
A few sprigs fresh thyme
¼ cup dried cranberries
Pinch of salt and pepper
Directions
In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and honey. Stir a few times, then let sit for 5 minutes.
Add 1 cup of the flour and ¼ cup of olive oil mixture to the bowl with the yeast. Stir until the flour has moistened. Let sit for another 5 minutes.
Stir in the remaining 1½ cups of flour and the salt. When the dough comes together, transfer to a floured board and knead 10 to 15 times until smooth.
Transfer the dough to a large, oiled bowl, cover with a towel and let rise for 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
Use two tablespoons of the remaining olive oil to oil a 9x13-inch (or larger) rimmed baking sheet.
Transfer the dough to the baking sheet, then press it down into the pan. Use your fingers to dimple the dough, then drizzle the top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Let the dough rise for 20 minutes until it puffs slightly.
To make the Christmas tree, use sage, rosemary, and thyme to form a Christmas tree design. Then add the cranberries around to look like ornaments. Sprinkle the salt and pepper across the top.
Bake the bread for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown.
Cool baked focaccia bread on a wire rack before cutting.
Seasoned Dipping Sauce
Combine and serve:
½ cup olive oil
½ cup balsamic vinegar
¼ cup fine grated Parmesan cheese
5 garlic cloves minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
