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Homemade Decorative Fire Starters: Holiday Craft | The Old Farmer's Almanac

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Seasonal Crafts: Make Your Own Fire Starters

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Margo Letourneau
Mare-Anne Jarvela
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Make your own decorative fire starters with these simple instructions.

All you need are some dry twigs or pinecones, a little candle wax, and glitter!

  • Find about 12 skinny, straight twigs, all about the same thickness and about six inches long.
  • Bundle the twigs together by tying them in the middle of the bunch with cotton string.
  • Melt some old candle stubs or wax in a wide tin can set in a saucepan of simmering water.
  • When the wax has melted, use tongs to dip the bundle of twigs carefully into the wax.
  • Lift the twigs out onto newspaper, and sprinkle them with gold, silver, or colored glitter before the wax hardens.
  • When the wax is cold, tie the bundle with raffia or colored string.
  • Instead of twigs, you can use pinecones (the size of eggs).
  • Dip the cones into the hot wax and then sprinkle them with glitter.
  • For a nice gift, put 12 glittery cones in an empty paper egg carton or small wicker basket, and decorate with a pretty ribbon.

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Seasonal Crafts
About The Author

Mare-Anne Jarvela

Mare-Anne Jarvela has worked for The Old Farmer’s Almanac as head editor of the Garden Guide, senior research editor, and/or contributor for over 30 years. She is a nature lover who’s happiest in her garden or baking for her family and friends. Read More from Mare-Anne Jarvela

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Comments

Susan (not verified)

5 years 4 months ago

I make my own fire starters by melting wax, dipping a cotton ball half way in, let it dry and then using a plastic knife, smear petroleum jelly on the top half of the cotton ball. They light quickly, burn for up to 18 minutes which gives your kindling and wood time to burn well. I use leftover scented candles for the wax which smells nice too.

S Fadden (not verified)

13 years 4 months ago

do you light the twig or light the string around the twig?

I would think, that you would light the string, but you could do either. . .

With "fire starters" you light the 'starter' then add more wood to the top of it, so the flame underneath gets the top stuff going.

I make small fire starters blocks from sawdust & wax. Works great!