Candle Gift Boxes: Make a Menorah for Hanukkah Surprises!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE CANDLE BOXES DESIGNS

First, download my Candle Box designs from my free library – look for Design #693. Alternatively, you can use the Save This Project form near the top of this post and the design link will be emailed to you.

The designs are sized to be cut on any Cricut cutting machine.

The SVG and DXF folders contain three designs. There’s a base, a short candle, and a tall candle. Each design has a score and no-score version. The “For Joy Users” folder contains a base, short candle, and tall candle that are sized to be cut with a Cricut Joy cutting machine.

TIP: If you’re not sure how to download zip files and upload designs, go to jennifermaker.com/svgs.

STEP 2: PREPARE AND CUT YOUR CANDLE BOXES

HANUKKAH MENORAH CANDLE SET

CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

1. In Cricut Design Space on a blank Canvas, click “Upload.”
2. Click “Upload Image.”
3. Click “Browse.”
4. Find and select the “tall” SVG in the main SVG folder.
   NOTE: I’ll demonstrate with the “score” version of the tall candle SVG so I can show you how to set and attach score lines. If you do not have a scoring tool, use the “no-score” version of the file.
5. Click “Open” and then “Continue.”
6. Click “Upload” to add the design to your Canvas.
7. The large rectangular piece will be the candle body, the larger octagonal piece with tabs will be the lid base, the smaller octagonal piece with tabs will be the candle base, the circle with a slit will be part of the flame assembly, the larger yellow ellipse shapes and the smaller orange ellipse shapes will be the flames, the single yellow piece will be the flame support piece, and the long shape with the drippy edge will be the drippy candle wax lid piece.
   
   
8. Click “Save” and give your project a name.
9. Ungroup the design and spread the pieces out.
   
   
10. To use different colors of cardstock for the pieces, scroll through the Layers Panel and click the arrows to expand any layer groups, then select the bottom colored layer in the group and use the Color Box at the top to pick a new color to match your cardstock. I changed the tall candle piece colors to white.
    NOTE: If you want, change the color of the drippy wax piece, too. I set mine to gray to indicate glitter cardstock, ensuring it cuts on a different mat.
11. If you’re using the no-score version of the tall candle, skip ahead to step 18
12. If you’re using the score version of the candle, scroll through the Layers Panel and click the arrows to expand any layer groups if you haven't already.
    
    
13. Find the top layer in the first group. It will look like black lines.
14. Set the Operation to “Score.”
    
    
15. Click the topmost layer of the expanded group to select both the Score layer and Basic Cut layer.
16. Click “Attach” to attach the score line to its corresponding cut layer.
    
    
17. Repeat steps 12-16 with the remaining 11 layer groups with score lines.
18. Click “Select All” and then “Group” to group the entire tall candle design to keep the Layers Panel organized.
    
    
19. Follow steps 1-6 to upload the “short” candle SVG. I used the score version.
    NOTE: The large rectangular piece will be the candle body, the larger octagonal piece with tabs will be the lid base, the smaller octagonal piece with tabs will be the candle base, the circle with a slit will be part of the flame assembly, the larger yellow ellipse shapes and the smaller orange ellipse shapes will be the flames, the single yellow piece will be the flame support piece, and the long shape with the drippy edge will be the drippy candle wax lid piece.
    
    
20. Ungroup the design and drag the pieces apart.
21. Drag a bounding box around the entire short candle design.
22. Duplicate the short candle design three times, for a total of four sets.
    
    
23. To use different colors of cardstock for the pieces, scroll through the Layers Panel and click the arrows to expand any layer groups, then select the bottom colored layer in the group and use the Color Box at the top to pick a new color to match your cardstock. I changed the short candle pieces from three of the designs to different shades of blue to match my materials.
    NOTE: If you want, change the color of the drippy wax pieces, too. I set mine to gray to indicate glitter cardstock, ensuring they cut on a different mat.
    
    
24. If you’re using the no-score version of the short candle, skip to step 26.
25. If you’re using the score version of the short candle, follow steps 12-17 above to set and attach the score lines.
26. Select all four of the short candle designs.
27. Duplicate the four short candle designs once, so you have a total of eight sets.
    
    
28. To make the optional menorah base, follow steps 1-6 to upload the “base” SVG. I used the score version. If you use the no-score version, skip to step 30.
    NOTE: The base comes in three pieces. The piece with tabs on top and bottom is the middle piece, the piece with tabs on the top, bottom, and left will be the left piece, and the piece with the tabs on the top, bottom, and right will be the right piece.
    
    
29. Follow steps 9-17 above to set the score lines and change the base’s color if you want.
30. Your menorah is ready to cut!
    
    

CUTTING

1. Make sure the correct machine is selected.
2. Click “Make” in the upper right corner of the screen.
3. On the Prepare screen, make sure that “On Mat” is selected.
4. Set your Material Sizes to match your cardstock.
   My white mats were cut from 8.5” x 11” shimmer cardstock, so I changed the Material Size on those mats to “8.5 in x 11 in (Letter)”.
   My orange and yellow mats were cut from 4” x 6” cardstock, so I changed the Material Size on those mats to “4 in x 6 in”.
   My blue and gray mats were all cut from 12” x 12” cardstock, so I left the Material Size for those mats as is.
   
   
5. Click “Continue.”
6. On the Make screen, I used the following settings:
   Plain, shimmer, and foil cardstock: “Medium Cardstock - 80 lb (216 gsm)” setting with “More” Pressure.
   
   Glitter cardstock: “Glitter Cardstock” setting with “More” Pressure.
   
   
7. If you’re using a scoring tool, make sure the correct one is selected under “Load tools and material.” If not, click “Edit Tools” and select the correct scoring tool. If you’re not using a scoring tool, skip this step.
   
   TIP: If all of your materials use the same cut setting, check the box next to “Remember material settings” on your first mat to apply the settings to all of the mats. If you’re using a scoring tool, be sure to check the box AFTER you’ve finished step 7 above.
8. Place your first mat’s cardstock face up on a green StandardGrip machine mat so it covers the design area on the screen.
   
   
9. Use your brayer to smooth the sheet down and make sure it’s adhered well.
10. Make sure your Premium Fine Point Blade is clean and in the correct clamp.
11. Insert your prepared mat into your cutting machine so it matches the screen’s orientation, and press the flashing button to load it.
12. Press the flashing middle button to begin the cuts.
13. When it has finished cutting, don’t unload the mat just yet. Instead, gently lift a corner of the design to see if the cut went all the way through the sheet in the correct spots.
    
    
14. If it’s not cut through, smooth the material back down and press the middle “Go” button again so your Cricut can go back over the cuts one more time.
15. When the cut is finished, press the flashing button to unload the mat.
16. Flip your mat over and peel it away from the cardstock.
    
    NOTE: If making multiple candles, separate each of the candles’ pieces into a separate pile to make assembly easier. The tall candle uses a larger candle body, flame, and drippy wax pieces, and the short candle uses smaller versions of these parts.
    
    
17. Repeat steps 8-16 for the other mats.
    

STEP 3: ASSEMBLE YOUR CANDLE BOXES

Each candle has a large rectangular piece for the “body” of the candle, two base or lid pieces with eight tabs each, a small circular piece with a slit, four larger flame pieces, four smaller flame pieces, a flame support piece, and a drippy wax piece.

I’ll demonstrate with the tall candle, but the short candle pieces assemble the same way.

1. Grab the flame pieces. Fold and crease each smaller and larger almond-shaped flame piece inward along its score line (or dashed cut line if you used the no-score version).
   
   
2. On a larger flame piece, apply a small line of craft glue along the end of approximately one third of the inner crease.
   
   
3. Grab a smaller flame piece and, aligning the folds, press it onto the glue at the end of the larger piece. Make sure the tips of the large and small flame pieces align. Hold the pieces together for several seconds until the glue sets.
   
   TIP: If any glue seeps out, wipe it away quickly with your finger.
4. Repeat steps 2-3 with the remaining flame pieces.
5. Apply craft glue to the back of one half of one assembled flame piece.
6. Position another assembled flame piece so both small flame accents are at the bottom and facing outward
7. Press the back half of the unglued flame piece onto the glued half of the other. Hold the pieces together for several seconds until the glue sets.
   
   
8. Repeat step 5-7 with two more assembled flame pieces.
9. Fold and crease the flame support piece in half along the scored or dashed line so the pretty side is facing out.
10. Apply glue to the inside of one half of the flame support piece. Do not apply glue to the rectangular-shaped areas.
    
    
11. Press the halves together and hold until the glue sets.
12. Fold back the rectangular portions in opposite directions along their crease lines.
    
    
13. Apply glue to the back side of two assembled flame pieces.
    
    
14. Line up the bottom point of the flame piece with the crease on one side of the flame support piece. Press the support piece onto the glue.
    TIP: Foil cardstock can be more difficult to adhere using craft glue. Press the pieces together firmly and wait until the glue sets before moving on to the next step.
    
    
15. Apply glue to the exposed triangular-shaped area of the flame support piece.
    
    
16. Grab the other assembled flame piece and press it onto the glue, aligning the edges of this flame with the edges of the first flame to complete the flame piece.
    
    
17. Grab the small circular piece with the slit in the middle. With the circle facing pretty side up, hold the rectangular tabs from the flame support piece together and insert them down through the slit.
    
    
18. Apply glue to the outside of the rectangular tabs.
    
    
19. Fold the rectangular tabs up and press them against the underside of the circle piece. Hold them in place for several seconds until the glue sets.
    
    
20. Grab two magnet squares and test them to make sure they attract. Peel the backing off of one magnetic square.
21. Press the sticky side of the magnetic square onto the bottom of the assembled flame and circle piece.
    TIP: I found it easiest to attach the magnet, then press the flat circle down onto the magnet on my work surface to adhere it well.
    
    
22. Grab the two candle base pieces with eight tabs each. There is a smaller one that goes at the bottom of the candle, and a larger one that is part of the candle box’s lid.
23. Starting with the smaller piece for the bottom of the candle, fold its tabs inward along their crease lines.
    
    
24. Grab the large rectangular candle body piece and fold inward on each of the crease lines until you have a loose cylinder shape.
25. Fold the four tabs at the end of the candle body piece inward in the same direction as the other folds.
    
    
26. Grab the smaller piece for the bottom of the candle, and apply glue to the outside of one of its tabs.
    
    
27. On the candle body piece, starting at the end without the tabs, press the glued tab from the base piece onto the bottom of the first folded panel. Make sure the folded edge on the base is flush with the bottom edge of the panel. Press and hold the pieces together for several seconds until the glue sets.
    
    
28. Repeat steps 26-27 to attach the remaining tabs on the base piece to the remaining panels on the candle body piece.
    TIP: The last few tabs may be difficult to attach as the candle takes shape. Use the end of your scoring stylus or a pencil to reach down into the candle body and press the tabs into place while the glue sets.
    
    
29. Add craft glue to the outside of each of the tabs along the side of the cylindrical candle body.
    
    
30. Press the tabs into place on the inside of the candle body. Make sure the creases in the tabs align with the other side’s straight edge.
    TIP: The bottommost tabs inside the candle body may be difficult to reach. Use the end of your scoring stylus or a pencil to reach down into the candle body and press the tabs into place while the glue sets.
31. Now let’s create the candle box’s lid. Grab the larger base piece for the lid and fold its tabs inward on their crease lines.
32. Apply a dab of craft glue to the outside of one of the tabs on the base piece.
    
    
33. Press one end of the drippy wax piece onto the glued tab, making sure the crease on the base is flush with the top, straight edge of the drippy wax piece. Hold the pieces together for several seconds until the glue sets.
    
    
34. Repeat steps 32-33 to attach the remaining tabs on the base piece to the wax piece. When you get to the last tab, tuck the end of the drippy wax piece underneath its first end.
    
    
35. Plug in your glue gun and wait for it to come up to temperature. When it’s ready, put on hot glue finger protectors and insert a stick of glue into the glue gun.
    NOTE: If you’re using plain cardstock, you can use craft glue instead for this next step. Since I’m using heavier glitter cardstock for the drippy wax piece, the stronger hot glue is needed to ensure it stays adhered to the base piece.
36. Apply a strip of hot glue to the very end of the drippy wax piece, then press to adhere it to the first end. Hold it for several seconds until the glue sets.
    
    
37. Grab the second of your set of two magnetic squares.
38. Peel the backing off of the magnetic square.
    NOTE: If you’re making the Joy version, use scissors to cut your magnet into four pieces so it will fit.
39. Press the sticky side of the magnetic square onto the inside top of the candle’s lid.
    TIP: I found it easiest to attach the magnet, then press the magnet down onto the inside of the lid on my work surface to adhere it well.
    
    
40. Place the lid over the open end of the assembled candle body.
    
    
41. Place the magnetic flame piece on top of the lid to “light” the candle. The magnet inside the lid will hold the flame in place! Remove the flame to “blow out” the candle.
    
    

ASSEMBLE THE OPTIONAL BASE

1. The menorah base is in three pieces. The two end pieces each have three flaps and one open side, and the middle piece has two flaps and two open sides. Place the middle piece horizontally in the center of your workspace.
2. Place the base pieces pretty-side down on your work surface.
3. Fold the long flaps on each piece along the creases.
   
   
4. Fold the shorter tabs on the end pieces inward.
   
   NOTE: If you’re using plain cardstock, you can use craft glue instead for this next step. Since I’m using heavier glitter cardstock for the drippy wax piece, the stronger hot glue is needed to ensure it stays adhered to the base piece.
5. Apply hot glue to the outside of each tab, then press it into place on the back of the adjacent flap.
   
   
6. Repeat step 5 for each corner on each base piece.
7. Grab one end piece and slide the open end face-up underneath one open end of the middle piece.
   
   
8. Repeat step 7 with the other end piece.
9. Adjust the base pieces so there is an even space between the nine holes at the top, and the middle piece isn’t overlapping the holes on the end pieces.
   
   NOTE: The base pieces can be left unattached for easier storage, but if desired, you can attach them together with lines of glue where each of the side pieces and middle piece overlap. Craft glue works with most types of cardstock, but if using glitter cardstock, I recommend using hot glue.
10. Insert the candles into the menorah base for display.
    

STEP 4: SHOW IT OFF

Here are my finished candle boxes!