Stop Tossing Old Front Porch Gourd Decor — Use Them To DIY Cozy Fall Candles

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

While there are many fascinating ways you can use gourds for decor, you might want to swap them out for fresh ones when they start to look a little old. As your fall porch fades into winter, it's tempting to trash the out-of-season pieces and gourds that have faded under constant sun exposure. But before you bin them, you can hollow them out and repurpose them as lifelike molds to DIY cozy fall candles that look straight out of a magazine or high-end home goods store. Flat-bottomed, ornamental gourds will be ideal for molding the candle wax. While it's okay for them to be a little old, dry, or faded, they shouldn't be squishy or rotten. However, that doesn't mean you should use dried preserved gourds either. They'll be difficult to cut and tear away from the wax, and if you leave them intact they could catch fire.

If you're resourceful enough, you may not need to buy a lot of other supplies. Wax pellets will be easiest to melt down, but you can also remove leftover candle wax from jars or liquify those unused taper candles you got as a spur-of-the-moment housewarming gift. If you go this route, repurpose the wicks to save money on new ones. Besides wax, you'll also need a double boiler, a cooking thermometer (kept aside for craft use only), a sharp knife for carving, and a sturdy spoon for scooping. For optional flair, consider picking up a few bottles of candle-safe fragrance oil in scents that conjure up late-night bonfires, pumpkin patches, and apple pies. Additionally, try candle wax dyes in a few fall-specific colors, like burnished reds and oranges. With this crafty DIY, you can get more out of your gourds, minimize senseless waste, and create a relaxing atmosphere without buying expensive candles.

Start by putting your wax in a double boiler to let it melt — or if you're recycling old wax, try using a slow cooker to melt your candles. In the meantime, cut the tops of your gourds with a knife, creating a bowl shape. If a serrated knife doesn't seem to do the job, try a handheld saw like this Goldblatt Drywall Saw to speed things up. Next, get your spoon and start scooping out the seeds and flesh. Scoop deeply into the contours of the gourd to create that pumpkin-like mold shape on the inside.

Monitor the temperature of your melted wax if you're making scented candles. This is important because the right range allows the wax and oil molecules to form a stable bond, ensuring the fragrance oil doesn't evaporate from the heat or separate once cooled. Although the ideal temperature depends on the type of wax you're using, a range of 175 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit is generally good for soy wax and for spicy fall scents like cinnamon. This is also the right time to add in a liquid or powder wax dye.

Mix everything well, then set wicks in the center of your gourd molds before gently pouring in the melted wax. After it's completely hardened, make a cut through one side of your gourd mold and crack it open to carefully extract your candle. While you might be tempted to burn the gourd bowl as-is, know that fresh gourds will rot within a few days, especially when exposed to heat. Place the gourd-shaped candles on a fire-safe material before lighting them — like a glass or marble platter — to avoid making a mess of your mantel or coffee table.