This DIY oil lamp is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful decorative items for your home during the holiday season. Its beautiful glow brings warmth and coziness to the room and fits well with any interior. I can’t imagine Christmas without this lovely oil lamp.
These oil lamps are also an easy DIY to make from start to finish with children. For example, you can gather branches and pine cones with the kids, arrange them in a jar, and light the oil candle. Even very young children can unleash their creativity in the process.
Why Make Glass Jar Oil Lamps?
Making oil lamps is much simpler than crafting traditional wax candles. It doesn’t require a hot stove or special skills, making it a great activity even for small children who can help at every step.
I also love these lamps because they make a lovely gift for holidays. Last year, we gave an oil lamp to all our relatives. It was delightful to make them in large quantities, and it didn’t take much time at all.
Suitable Oil for Lamps
Virtually any cooking oil available in grocery stores can be used to make oil lamps. However, I do not recommend paraffin or other industrial lamp oils because they emit toxic particles into the air when burned, which we shouldn’t inhale. Olive oil is a great choice, but more affordable vegetable oil or other cooking oils work just as well.
Refined seed oils might not be suitable for cooking, but I see no reason why they can’t be used in an oil lamp. They don’t impart any strong smell or noticeable color to the lamp.
Oil Lamp vs. Water-Oil Lamp
Indeed, you can partially fill the lamp with water to save on oil, but there are several factors to consider to ensure success.
- Water and oil separate when combined, leaving a distinct line between the transparent water and the yellowish or greenish oil. This might not look very pretty.
- If the wick touches the water, it will not burn properly. Ensure the wick is short enough that it doesn’t reach the water.
- Decorations submerged in water can spoil over time, requiring the lamp to be lit daily to prevent this. An oil-only lamp doesn’t have this issue.
Materials for Decorating
You can use almost anything you like to decorate your lamp. Go out into nature and gather beautiful items such as pinecones and spruce branches. You can also use visually appealing holiday spices like cinnamon sticks, star anise, and peppercorns. Dried berries and raisins make great additions as well.
However, avoid using fresh berries, as they may spoil in the oil. I recommend using dry elements whenever possible.
Attention!
Please remember not to leave a lit candle unattended or within children’s reach. Many fires start due to unattended candles or oil lamps.
Supplies Needed
- Glass jar – Any size will work, large or small.
- Large paperclip or wire – Long enough to extend 3–4 cm (1-1,5 in.) beyond the jar’s diameter.
- Cotton or linen string – For the wick.
- Ribbon or twine – To secure the wire around the jar.
- Cooking oil – Enough to fill the jar.
- Decorative materials – Any elements you like to include in the lamp.
Making the Oil Lamp
- Arrange all the decorative elements in the jar, placing them as you want them to appear. Smaller items, such as berries, will sink to the bottom of the jar, so try to position them on top of pine needles or other materials. You can even glue small items on orange slices or twigs if needed. Start with larger items and then add smaller ones.
- Choose whether you want a shorter or longer wick. A few centimeters (1-2 in.) are more than enough since wicks burn very slowly. I prefer using longer wicks to fill the jar, as it creates a beautiful effect.
- Use wire or a large paperclip to create a small loop in the center, just large enough to hold the wick. Bend the ends of the wire down so it fits securely over the jar.
- Since the wire might not stay in place on its own, tie a piece of string or ribbon around the jar’s neck to hold it steady.
- Thread the wick through the loop, leaving about 1 cm (0,4 in.) sticking out above the oil.
- Pour oil into the jar until it reaches the wick loop. If the loop is too high, bend it down. Coat the wick in oil before lighting it.
- Once lit, the lamp fills the room with soft, cozy light, especially when the room is dark.
FAQ
Can the olive oil used in the lamp be reused for cooking later?
Yes, as long as all the components inside the lamp are food-safe. Do not reuse the oil if you’ve added essential oils or spices that may have flavored it.
Why does the lamp keep going out?
If the wick burns out, pull more wick out. If it continues to go out, check if there’s enough oil and refill as needed.
Tips and Ideas
- Use a variety of complementary colors for a cohesive look, such as red dried cranberries, brown cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices, and green pine branches.
- Thin cotton or linen string works well as a wick. I often use simple kitchen twine.
DIY Magical Glass Jar Oil Lamp for the Christmas Season
This DIY oil lamp is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful decorative items for your home during the holiday season.
Materials
- Glass jar - Any size will work, large or small
- Large paperclip or wire - Long enough to extend 3–4 cm (1-1,5 in.) beyond the jar’s diameter
- Cotton or linen string - For the wick
- Ribbon or twine - To secure the wire around the jar
- Cooking oil - Enough to fill the jar
- Decorative materials - Any elements you like to include in the lamp
Instructions
- Arrange all the decorative elements in the jar, placing them as you want them to appear. Smaller items, such as berries, will sink to the bottom of the jar, so try to position them on top of pine needles or other materials. You can even glue small items on orange slices or twigs if needed. Start with larger items and then add smaller ones.
- Choose whether you want a shorter or longer wick. A few centimeters (1-2 in.) are more than enough since wicks burn very slowly. I prefer using longer wicks to fill the jar, as it creates a beautiful effect.
- Use wire or a large paperclip to create a small loop in the center, just large enough to hold the wick. Bend the ends of the wire down so it fits securely over the jar.
- Since the wire might not stay in place on its own, tie a piece of string or ribbon around the jar’s neck to hold it steady.
- Thread the wick through the loop, leaving about 1 cm (0,4 in.) sticking out above the oil.
- Pour oil into the jar until it reaches the wick loop. If the loop is too high, bend it down. Coat the wick in oil before lighting it.
- Once lit, the lamp fills the room with soft, cozy light, especially when the room is dark.
