Made: Teacup candle

I wouldn't usually do a make so near to Christmas, but teacup candles are so quick and easy that you'll have time to make plenty before next Wednesday!

You will need
One small pillar candle (scented or unscented)
A pretty teacup - scour the charity shops near you, I found the ones above for 49p each on different occasions
Two pans: one for the water and one for the wax
A candle wick, preferably one of the ones with a wick sustainer attached (I got a pack from Hobbycraft or they're easily available on eBay)

1. Use a saucepan that you don't mind getting covered in wax. I bought a new 'Value' one from Tesco for about a pound, or you could use an old one that's on its last legs. Fill another pan with water and put onto the heat, then place the candle in your wax pan and put that on top of the first pan. Do not melt your wax in a pan directly on the heat: it could catch fire.

2. Melt the wax gently, supervising it so it doesn't flame. This stage takes a while.

3. When the wax is melted, hold the wick in the centre of the cup and pour in wax until it's about 3/4 of the way up. Leave to set.

4. The wax shrinks as it cools, leaving a well in the centre around the wick. Once it is totally set, melt the remaining wax and top up the candle. For a perfect finish, you can leave a small gap and repeat the process, allowing your candle to set and re-melting the last of the wax before pouring it on.

5. Once the final candle is totally set, trim the wick to about 1cm in length. Stand back and admire!