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Candle Crafting: From Scented to Decorative
Trivia: What English word means “the day after tomorrow”?
RetireHub
January 24, 2026
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On this day in 1848, gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in California, sparking the California Gold Rush and drawing hundreds of thousands of people westward in search of fortune—forever shaping the state’s population, economy, and history.
Candle Crafting: From Scented to Decorative
Candle crafting has enjoyed a wonderful resurgence in recent years, blending creativity, relaxation, and practicality into one satisfying hobby. For many people, especially in midlife and beyond, making candles offers a calming, hands-on activity that results in something both beautiful and useful. Whether you’re drawn to soothing scents or eye-catching designs, candle crafting allows you to express your style while creating a cozy atmosphere at home.
At its simplest, candle making involves melting wax, adding fragrance (if desired), inserting a wick, and letting the candle set. Soy wax and beeswax are popular choices for beginners because they’re easy to work with and burn cleanly. Paraffin wax remains common as well, particularly for decorative candles, because it holds color and shape very well. As crafters gain confidence, they often experiment with different wax blends to achieve specific textures, burn times, or appearances.
Scented candles are especially appealing because they engage the senses and can influence mood. Lavender and chamomile are known for their calming qualities, while citrus scents like lemon or orange can feel energizing and fresh. Many candle makers enjoy creating seasonal blends—think cinnamon and clove in winter or floral notes in spring. Crafting your own scented candles also gives you control over fragrance strength, which can be helpful for anyone sensitive to strong smells.
Decorative candles take the craft in a more artistic direction. These might include layered colors, embedded dried flowers, herbs, or even seashells, and sculpted shapes made using silicone molds. Decorative candles are often created more for display than for burning, serving as table centerpieces, gifts, or accents on shelves and mantels. For some crafters, the visual joy of a finished candle is just as rewarding as lighting it.
Safety is an important part of candle crafting. Working in a well-ventilated area, using a thermometer to monitor wax temperature, and following fragrance oil guidelines all help ensure successful results. Labeling finished candles with burn instructions is also a thoughtful step, especially if you plan to give them as gifts.
Ultimately, candle crafting is about slowing down and enjoying the process. Whether you’re making a simple jar candle for your own living room or an elaborate decorative piece for a loved one, the craft offers a comforting blend of creativity, mindfulness, and warmth—one that’s easy to tailor to your interests and abilities.
What part of candle making interests you most? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: What Do You Do Most to Support Your Gut Health?
Most respondents are already taking steps to support their gut health, with probiotic supplements leading the way. Eating fermented foods and focusing on fiber-rich fruits and vegetables were close behind, showing strong awareness of diet’s role in digestion. Still, a notable group said they haven’t thought much about gut health yet—suggesting there’s plenty of room for education and simple habit-building.
TOP COMMENTS
“I have a Greek yogurt almost every morning. Seems to satisfy my gut.”
“A and B, yogurt 3/4 days a week and lots of fiber. Fruits, vegetables and things like quinoa.”
“I make chai pudding with oatmeal and berries. Also has vanilla, milk and honey. Tastes great and works well.”
“Years ago, my doctor suggested I eat yogurt twice a day, I don't like yogurt, so I found drinkable yogurt. I have one every morning. I eat sauerkraut a couple times a week, along with onions, garlic and beans more frequently. I tried the probiotic supplement, but that didn't work for me.”
Start the Year with Purpose: Choose Your Money and Wellness Focus
As the new year begins, the article encourages readers to thoughtfully choose one financial focus and one wellness focus that will make life feel calmer, more confident, and more intentional in the months ahead—rather than trying to overhaul everything at once. A key suggestion for financial focus is creating a big-picture net worth overview so you truly understand all your accounts, their purpose, and how they fit into your goals, which can guide decisions from gifting to retirement planning. For wellness, simple, specific habits—like drinking more water, moving daily, or improving sleep—can support your energy and well-being, showing that wealth and wellness work best when they support each other.
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Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Zipline mood
Meaning: A sudden burst of excitement or energy—when you feel upbeat, adventurous, and ready to dive into something fun or a little daring, even if just for a moment. It’s that “let’s go!” feeling that lifts you out of routine and into joy.
In a sentence: “After booking her first cruise in years, Victoria found herself in a total zipline mood—laughing more, making plans, and feeling young at heart again.”
Good News of the Day
Galloping into the Year of the Fire Horse: Bold Action Meets Dynamic Change
As the Year of the Fire Horse approaches with the Lunar New Year on February 17, 2026, Chinese astrology predicts a year filled with high energy, passion, and rapid movement that encourages people to pursue bold action and embrace change rather than staying still. The fiery combination of the Horse—known for its independence and confidence—and Fire—an element associated with warmth, creativity, and intensity—suggests a year of both opportunities and challenges, where courage and balance are key to navigating ups and downs. While horses themselves may face particular astrological pressures, many signs could benefit from aligning with the Horse’s spirited momentum, and overall the year invites everyone to act with purpose while tempering passion with prudence.
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RetireHub Trivia
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Want more trivia? Play our “Nostalgia Trivia Game” on our site! We add fresh questions daily, so there’s always something new to test your knowledge.
Not into trivia? No worries! We’ve got plenty of other fun games to enjoy, like:
What English word means “the day after tomorrow”? |
What is the name for the pleasant smell that often follows rain? |
What kind of plant food is a peanut, botanically speaking? |
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