Looking to add a dash of handmade warmth and a hint of luxury to your holiday decor? Iv'e got just the thing: a softly glowing wood-wick candle nestled in a rustic dough bowl, filling the room with a rich, sophisticated scent inspired by Tobacco Vanille by Tom Ford. This isn’t just any candle—it’s a holiday experience, crafted by you!
Follow my DIY holiday candle guide, and you too can create your own dough bowl candle. Plus, we’ll share some fun candle history and tips to make this a centerpiece your guests won’t stop talking about. Ready to make this luxe holiday project happen?
Why DIY My Winter Candle? Nothing Beats Handmade Charm + Luxury
Sure, you could buy a candle—but where’s the fun in that? When you make your own, you’re creating a cozy masterpiece that’s both unique and personal. And this isn’t just any scent we’re talking about—Tobacco Vanille is inspired by the signature fragrance by Tom Ford, known for its alluring mix of tobacco leaf and warm vanilla notes. This candle is all about smoky elegance, making it a holiday vibe with a touch of high-end charm.
Whether you keep it for yourself or gift it to someone special, this candle is sure to add a warm, festive glow and luxurious scent to any home.
Here’s What You’ll Need (Grab These Essentials to Get Started):
Dough bowl: This rustic bowl makes a beautiful, reusable vessel for your candle. This really is the eye catching show stopper and gives you 3 candles in one so it will last the whole holiday.
Wood wicks: You’ll need 3–4 wood wicks to ensure an even burn across the dough bowl. The love affair with wood wick is the sound. It's like a fireplace for a tiny space.
Soy wax: To fill a dough bowl, you’ll need around 2–3 pounds of wax.
Tobacco Vanille fragrance oil: Inspired by Tom Ford, this scent combines the earthy richness of tobacco with creamy vanilla and a hint of spice. Perfect for a winter candle! It's really the secret sauce and now you can get it on Amazon.
Wax melter: For melting the wax evenly without the stovetop mess. I mean if you have a pot you hate and never want to use again with a pour spout I can live with that.
Step 1: Set Up Your Candle Station
Find a flat, clean workspace. Cover it with parchment paper or an old towel to keep any wax drips from sticking. It’s all about making your candle-making station cozy and hassle-free!
Step 2: Melt the Wax
Using your wax melter, heat the soy wax to around 170–180°F. Soy wax is perfect for holding fragrance and burns cleanly, making it an ideal choice for a sophisticated scent like Tobacco Vanille. For a standard dough bowl, you’ll need 2–3 pounds of wax, depending on the size of your bowl.
Candle Fun Fact
Did you know that candles have been around for over 5,000 years? Ancient Egyptians used reeds soaked in animal fat, while Romans were among the first to create something closer to today’s candles. Now we have modern waxes and elegant scents to turn candle-making into a luxurious craft.
Step 3: Add the Tobacco Vanille Scent
Here’s where the magic happens! Add about 1 ounce of fragrance per pound of wax and stir it in well to distribute evenly. Inspired by Tobacco Vanille by Tom Ford, this fragrance combines warm vanilla with hints of smoky tobacco leaf, dried fruits, and a touch of spice. It’s a complex, sophisticated scent with just the right amount of depth and warmth for a winter evening.
Step 4: Place Your Wood Wicks in the Dough Bowl
A large dough bowl candle needs 3–4 wood wicks to create an even burn. Place the wicks at equal distances across the bowl, ensuring they’re securely attached with metal bases. Wood wicks not only give this candle a rustic look but also create that delightful crackling sound, adding to the candle’s luxurious vibe.
Wick Tip: Trim each wick to match the depth of your bowl, keeping them about ¼ inch above the wax line. This ensures a steady, even burn.
Step 5: Pour and Set
Slowly pour the scented wax into the dough bowl, leaving about ½ inch from the top. This will prevent overflow and give the candle a clean look. Let it set for at least 24 hours so the fragrance has time to bind fully, giving you a beautifully balanced scent throw when you light it.
A Scent that Elevates Any Space: The Luxury of Tobacco Vanille
This candle isn’t just about looks; it’s a sensory experience. Inspired by Tom Ford’s iconic Tobacco Vanille fragrance, this scent brings a sophisticated warmth to any space. With earthy tobacco leaf balanced by creamy vanilla, a hint of cocoa, and dried fruit, it’s a fragrance that feels both rich and comforting—perfect for cold winter nights and holiday gatherings. Plus it's not that cliche artificial pumpkin spice or cinnamon smell. Sometimes a candle is beautiful, but then you light it and can't wash the cheap faux winter outta your hair.
Light it during your Thanksgiving or Christmas festivities, and let the warm, inviting aroma set the scene. Your guests will likely ask where you got it (and you’ll get to tell them you made it yourself!). I like to keep the mystery alive and then gift them with this high end candle ;) Win-win!
I Bet You Didn't know ( A Little Candle History)
Candles have a long history, with some unexpected twists! Ancient Chinese candles used whale fat, while Colonial Americans boiled bayberries to create naturally fragrant wax. It took 15 pounds of bayberries just to make one candle! Today, with luxurious scents like Tobacco Vanille and clean-burning soy wax, we can create candles that don’t just provide light—they create ambiance.
Why This DIY Candle Makes the Perfect Holiday Gift
A handmade candle like this one makes the ultimate holiday gift. With its smoky, inviting scent, crackling wood wicks, and rustic charm, it’s a gift that’s both luxurious and personal. Whether you’re giving it to a friend or keeping it as a cozy winter treat, this candle is sure to make any space feel a little more special.
Make It Your Holiday Table’s Centerpiece
Once complete, place this dough bowl candle on your holiday table, Christmas mantle, or entryway. It doesn’t just add light; it brings a warm, elegant ambiance with a luxurious scent. This is more than just a candle—it’s a handmade centerpiece that adds a touch of Tom Ford-inspired elegance to your holiday decor.
So grab your supplies, fire up that wax melter, and let’s start crafting! With just a little effort, you’ll have a candle that lights up your home and fills it with holiday magic.