Call me basic but… I love candles. I’d say about 90% of the time I come out of Target or Home Goods, I end up buying a new candle. I also love recreational classes. Cooking classes, dance classes, painting classes – I’ve done them all. So, when my friend told me about a new candle making workshop in Boston, I couldn’t resist signing up. It may be a little late for Galentine/Valentine’s suggestions, but if you’re looking for a fun activity with your girlfriends or a unique date night idea, check out the Paddywax Candle Bar on Newbury Street in Boston.

The Paddywax Candle Bar is an adorable little shop with exposed brick walls and colorful merchandise lining the edges of the store. For $40 per person, you can pour your own custom candle. The class itself takes only an hour and you can bring your own alcohol. Additionally, signing up for the class also allows you 20% off all merchandise in the store (candles, diffusers, stationery and even beard wax for men)!

When you arrive, you will see a table lined with trays that have a bunch of equipment on them. Everyone chooses their own seat, puts on an apron and you get started. To begin, each person gets 15 minutes to choose their own scent and candle vessel. WARNING: indecisive patrons may find this workshop overwhelming. We chose from 30 different scents (fragrance categories include spice, woody, sweet or fresh) and over 35 different vessels. The instructor then shows you how to pour your candle and how to assemble the wicks. The whole process is quite simple – I felt like I was back in 8th-grade science class. Once you’re finished, you can either leave your candle at the Paddywax Bar overnight so it has time to cool off and set or you can have them ship it to you for an extra $8.

What I loved most about this place is that almost all of the containers can be repurposed; one can be used as a planter, several can be used as a decorative canister and one can even be used as an ice cream bowl! We were told that the candles last for 70 hours and if you use up all the wax, you can book a refill for 30% off.

Not local to Boston? No problem. Paddywax has locations all around the country including Austin, Birmingham, Charlotte, Dallas, Georgetown, Madison, Nashville, Reston and Philadelphia.

DID YOU KNOW? Cold temperatures can harden and shrink wax, making it easier to remove. During this class, I learned that you can put a candle in the freezer and after a few hours you can use a butter knife to break up any large chunks of wax that remain in the container. Voila! You have a new canister!