As much as I love summer, it’s time to embrace the temperature drop. The crockpot is out and we’ve even had a couple fires in our fireplace already.
Last year, I made my husband a batch of homemade fire starters and they were a hit! I’ve tried a couple different versions of DIY fire starters and this one is by far the easiest to make and clean up after. They have a special blend of spices that give off a festive aroma and make a unique housewarming gift.

Materials:

• 4 cups bees wax flakes

• 12 bay leaves

• 6 cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces

• sprigs of fresh rosemary or a couple tablespoons of dried

• 1 Tablespoon whole dried spices such as closes, star anise, and/or nutmeg

• Essential oils of choice. I used a couple drops of orange, northern lights black spruce, clove and nutmeg

• Twelve 1 and 1/2 inch pieces of natural candle wicks or wick string

• 12 -cup regular muffin pan

• paper baking cups

• Saucepan for melting wax

Instructions:

• Line muffin tins with paper liners. Fill each one with a bayleaf, a few pieces of cinnamon, dried spices and whole spices. Add your wick to the center of the tin.

• In a saucepan, melt the wax flakes. I like to place the wax flakes in a glass jar and submerge in boiling water about 2 inches deep. Stir the flakes and add essential oils as desired.

• Pour melted wax into each cup. Let cool completely.

• Remove fire starters from pan and store in an airtight container until ready to use. These make great gifts and can be packaged individually.

These fire starters make a great gifts and can be packaged individually or stacked in jars.

Whether you have a fireplace or a fire pit, these starters are well worth the time and effort to make.

These are a great option to package and give as gifts i.e. Stocking stuffers, housewarming gifts (wood is a traditional housewarming gift), or added to a Christmas basket.

Be sure to share and tag Wildflower Confectionery with your DIY fire starters!