The Rising Popularity of Character Candles

The Rise of Character Candles

Candles have been used for light and fragrance for centuries, but a new trend is emerging that combines candles with pop culture fandom. Character candles featuring iconic figures from video games, movies, TV shows, and more are gaining popularity. From Mario and Luigi to Baby Yoda and bat symbols, fans can find candles representing their favorite characters.

Video Game Character Candles

Some of the most popular character candles feature beloved video game figures. Super Mario brothers Mario and Luigi are favorites, with their colorful outfits and hats lending themselves well to candle designs. Princesses like Princess Peach also make lovely candles. For gamers feeling nostalgic, character candles can feature pixel art designs of retro video game characters like Pac-Man.

Movie and TV Show Candles

Iconic movie and TV characters also inspire creative candle designs. Baby Yoda was one of the biggest pop culture phenomena in recent years, and many candle makers offer candles featuring the adorable alien creature from The Mandalorian. Other popular options include Batman, characters from Friends like Rachel, Monica, and Phoebe, and fan favorite movie icons like Harry Potter. The possibilities for fun character candles to light up while watching a beloved movie or show are endless!

Cartoon, Comic, and Toy Candles

Candles don’t just feature live-action characters. Beloved cartoon figures like Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and the Flintstones gang are popular subjects. For comic lovers, candles displaying Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, Captain America, and the Batman symbol are great options. And kids are sure to enjoy character candles modeled after favorite toys like Lego minifigures.

How Character Candles are Made

While the finished product brings joy to fans everywhere, a lot of work and creativity goes into making character candles. First, candle makers must choose quality molds in the shape they desire. Silicone is a common mold material that allows for intricately shaped candles with details like Mario’s cap or Baby Yoda’s big ears.

Next, they select the wax formula for their candles. Popular options include soy, paraffin, beeswax, palm wax, and vegetable wax blends. The wax type impacts factors like burn time, fragrance throw, and smoke production when burning.

To turn the basic wax shape into an iconic character, makers add extras like dyes, fragrance oils, and embellishments. Vibrant colors give life to characters like Mario and Luigi while glitter, sequins, or dried flowers add sparkly accents or bring natural dimension.

Cutting Edge Tech for Character Candles

Some of the most unique character candles take advantage of cutting edge technology like 3D printing. Instead of basic molds, 3D printers build up the form layer by layer based on a computer model. After printing the intricate figure, makers then cast it using silicone to create silicone candle molds. The result is candles with unprecedented detail in the sculpting - perfect for capturing the features of your favorite characters.

As 3D printing tech improves, customers can expect even more marvelously lifelike character candles. Some makers are already experimenting by using photos or drawings as the basis for 3D printed candles that resemble fictional characters or capture a loved one’s likeness. The possibilities are endless!

Fun Ways to Use Character Candles

Beyond looking marvelous on a shelf when not lit, character candles make parties, game nights, and everyday home use more fun. Here are some ways fans are using these special candles:

Fan Watch Parties

Is your friend group planning a watch party for the premiere of a hit show’s new season? Set the mood with character candles representing the main characters. For a Lord of the Rings marathon, dot character candles of Gandalf, Gollum, the hobbits, and more around the snacks. Everyone will feel immersed in middle earth, even during underwhelming parts of the films.

Tabletop RPG Night

For tabletop RPG fans, character candles bring additional atmosphere to game nights. A Dungeon Master can place figure candles representing boss monsters on the table to set up tense encounters. And when players defeat the enemy, they’ll enjoy watching the candle melt away. It takes celebrations to the next level!

Everyday Use

Don’t limit character candles to special events - let them shine daily! Use a princess candle filled with an energizing citrus fragrance to help wake you up in the mornings. When working from home, keep a Superman candle with soothing lavender scented wax on your desk for a mid-day destressing break. And let a soft flickering Pikachu candle guide your bedtime routine.

However you choose to use them, character candles make perfect gifts for the pop culture lover in your life. With the huge range of fun options out now and coming soon, start browsing to find the perfect candle for that hard to buy for fan.

FAQs

What are some popular character candle options?

Some of the most popular character candles feature icons from video games (Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Pac-Man), movies & TV (Baby Yoda, Batman, Friends), cartoons (Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse), and comic books (Spiderman, Wonder Woman).

How long do character candles burn?

Burn times vary, but high quality character candles often provide 20-40 hours of burn time. Soy and beeswax blends tend to burn slower than paraffin. Always trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting and burn out of drafts for best results.

Can I reuse character candle containers?

While you can reuse the containers, removing all wax first is difficult. We recommend repurposing your character candle jars to hold Q-tips, cotton balls, pins & needles, or as little vases instead of trying to completely clean them out.

Where can I buy character candles?

Many small shops on Etsy offer handmade character candles featuring pop culture icons. Large retailers like Walmart and Target also carry licensed character candles from brands like Yankee Candle. And specialty candle stores both online and brick-and-mortar often stock geeky, gamer, and fandom-inspired character candles.