How to make a Christmas scented wax tablet air freshener with essential oils. This cute wax air freshener uses both soy wax and beeswax, and it's decorated with fresh holly. Use it to give off a light scent or give them as gifts.

I have two dogs, two cats, three kids, and a husband. Having a nice smelling house is important to me.

Until this year, we had therapists for in home therapy four days a week. Thankfully, we've graduated from therapy, but you better believe I was borderline obsessed with the house smelling fresh while they were here!

This Christmas, I wanted a fun Christmas scent for a natural air freshener. These Christmas scented wax tablet air fresheners give off a light scent.

They are perfect for small spaces. I keep one near my desk and a few in a pretty dish in the bathroom.

Christmas Scented Wax Tablet Air Freshener

Last year, I made these DIY air freshener with essential oils. After the season was over, we used them as fire starters outside.

This year, I wanted something a little different. I had some fresh holly, so I decided to use that. Note that since these do have fresh holly, they will only last about a week.

However, you can treat them (more on that below) so they last about four weeks. You can also use a faux holly if you want.

What Are Scented Wax Tablets Used For?

A scented wax tablet can be used as an air freshener. You can hang them in a small area or set them on a shelf.

They are also good for placing in drawers. They give off a light scent that can scent your clothing and keep it fresh.

Learn how to keep clothes smelling fresh in drawers.

How Do You Make Scented Wax Tablets?

You'll need a wax and essential oils. I use both beeswax and soy wax, but you can use just one of them.

How Long Do Wax Tablets Last?

They will last about one to two months. These use fresh holly, so they will last closer to one month.

When they no longer smell, you can repurpose them as fire starters. You can also melt them down and make pinecone fire starters.

Preserving Holly

I used fresh holly that was given to me. Holly will last about a week before it dries out, but you can easily preserve it with glycerin and water.

For best results, start with fresh holly that hasn't yet dried out. This will give you a vibrant color.

To preserve it, combine 1 part glycerin and 2 parts of water. Then place the stems, leaves, and berries in the solution, making sure to cover all parts of the holly.

Let them sit for four days. I set a cookie sheet on top so they don't get disturbed and the water doesn't evaporate.

After four days, remove the holly. Dry them very carefully with a paper towel.

The glycerin penetrates into the plant. This can help prevent the plant from drying out and discoloring.

Of course, you can also add faux holly or another plant. If you do use a fake plant, do not reuse these as fire starters.

Wax

I like to use a mixture of both beeswax and soy wax. Beeswax is very hard at room temperature, so it holds its shape well. However, beeswax doesn't hold a scent very well.

Soy wax holds a scent better, but it's very soft at room temperature. Mixing the two waxes gives you the best of both worlds so to speak. It holds a scent well, and it's firm enough to not break.

You can use all beeswax if you prefer, but it won't smell as strong.

Essential Oils

I used an interesting blend of essential oils for a wonderful Christmas scent. I'm not sure what to call it, but it smells like a Christmas tree mixed with the sweet scent of holiday baking.

To make the master blend, I used:

You can also use one of the following essential oil blends:

6 drops juniper essential oil, 4 drops frankincense essential oil, 2 drops cedarwood essential oil, 2 drops clove essential oil
6 drops fir essential oil, 4 drops sweet orange essential oil
2 drops peppermint essential oil, 2 drops wintergreen essential oil, 1 drop cassia or cinnamon essential oil, 1 drop wild orange essential oil
4 drops pine essential oil, 2 wintergreen essential oil, 2 peppermint essential oil

You'll use 10 drops of essential oils for these Christmas scented wax tablet air fresheners. I create a master blend in an empty essential oil bottle and use that. Otherwise, you can just add 10 drops.

For the recipe that I used, you'll use 8 drops. You can add 2 more drops of one of the oils. I would add one more drop of sweet orange and clove, but you can add another balsam fir if you want that scent to be stronger.

Simply Earth also has a winter spice essential oil blend that would be really good for this project.

For more air freshener ideas with essential oils, check out these posts:

Christmas Scented Wax Tablet Ingredients

1 cup beeswax
1 cup soy wax
10 drops essential oils
Fresh holly
Circle mold

Christmas Scented Wax Tablet Instructions

Step #1

Melt beeswax and soy wax in a double boiler over medium heat. Do not heat over direct heat or in a microwave because it can be a fire hazard.

I put the wax in a Pyrex measuring cup and set it on a canning jar ring in a pan of water.

Step #2

Stir the wax occasionally to help it melt. Once it's melted, carefully remove from heat. Let cool for about 5 minutes. Add essential oils and stir well for 1 minute.

Step #3

Pour the melted wax into the mold about 3/4 full. Since mold sizes may vary, I recommend filling them half way and adding more so you don't run out of wax.

Step #4

Place the fresh holly on top of the wax. Do not press it down. It will sink enough to stick in the wax without being submerged.

Step #5

Let sit overnight. Carefully remove from the mold. I find it easiest to peel the mold from the wax.

If you want these to be hanging, use a chopstick to create a hole before the wax is fully set up. Then remove the chopstick when it's hardened. You can then tie string in it.

You can hang these on your tree, place in a drawer, or set in a dish to give off a light scent.

essential oils, diy, air freshener, christmas

Yield: 3

Author: Cari @ Everything Pretty

Estimated cost: $10