Burning a Candle at Both Ends: a Tutorial

I’m just going to come out and say it: it is my birthday. Usually, I NEVER tell people on my birthday that today is the day, because it always results in an awkward “Oh! Happy Birthday”, and then they feel like maybe they should have known, and I feel weird because of course they shouldn’t know. Between their grocery list, remembering if it is their day for carpool, and making sure their kids have clean clothes, knowing that today is my birthday doesn’t even make the list. Plus, I’m awful at remembering birthdays, so I feel it is hypocritical to expect other people to remember when I constantly drop the ball.

Ok… now that we’ve gotten all my hang-ups about birthdays out of the way, let’s talk about burning a candle at both ends, shall we?

First. Commit to way more than you can handle. Second. Stay up late at night and get up early in the morning to get things done. While doing this, commit to even more… oh, wait. You’re probably here for the actual candle tutorial, right? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

Supplies:
Candle (I just used a birthday candle)
Craft Knife
Fire Source- I used a lighter
Small fork (a pickle fork would work)
Spoon
Cupcake or cake to put the candle in

Start by cutting away the candle at each end. You want to cut off just less than half, to get to the wick. Cut a little less than halfway down so that you expose the wick without cutting it. You’ll cut about 1/2 an inch in on each side. Save your wax bits, you’ll need them in a few steps…

Then carefully pull up the wicks.

Put the wax bits in a spoon, then melt them with the lighter. I found that applying the heat right to the wax worked better than trying to heat up the spoon.

With the prongs of the fork, pick up the wax bits, and use them to secure the fork to the bottom (formerly known as the side) of your candle.

Put the handle end of your mini fork into your cupcake. If you want to know the truth, mine isn’t in a cupcake. It is sitting in pure awesomeness. That’s because I didn’t have a cupcake handy, so I filled the cupcake liner completely with frosting. Winning.

Only light the ends of the candle when you’re truly ready. This candle burns a LOT faster than a traditional candle, so you want to make sure that you are ready to go with camera, birthday boy/girl, and whatever else you need.

Don’t forget to make a wish when you blow out the candle!