DIY Mason Jar Oil Lamp
Illuminate your holiday gatherings with this enchanting DIY Mason Jar Oil Lamp. It’s a simple yet stunning project that transforms everyday pint jars into rustic, aromatic lanterns. Bursting with natural festive flair—think pinecones, dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and fresh cranberries suspended in light olive oil—this no-fuss creation delivers a warm, flickering glow and subtle spiced scent without the hassle of wiring or tools.
This Christmas, create the warmest, dreamiest holiday glow with DIY mason jar oil lamps. Using just pantry and backyard treasures (pinecones, cinnamon sticks, fresh rosemary, dried orange slices, and a splash of olive oil), they fill your home with natural fragrance and old-fashioned charm. The only purchase? A simple pack of floating wicks. Everything else is already waiting in your kitchen or garden. Set them on the mantel, cluster them as a centerpiece, or let one flicker softly on a side table. They’re budget-friendly, beautifully scented, and pure handmade holiday magic.
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Elevate the cozy glow of your DIY mason jar oil lamps with an optional touch of Christmas fragrance: just a few drops of pure essential oils blended into the olive oil. Choose from classics like sweet orange, peppermint, cinnamon bark, pine, or a festive mix—the gentle heat from the flame will fill your room with holiday scent all evening long. (We love the combination, but it’s totally optional!) For safe enjoyment, always use pure olive oil, trim the wick to ¼ inch, place the jar on a heat-safe surface, and never leave an open flame unattended. With these simple precautions, you can relax and let the warm, heartwarming glow and spirit of Christmas fill every corner of your home.
How to Make Perfect Dried Orange Slices
Slice fresh oranges crosswise (horizontally) into even ¼–½ inch thick rounds—make sure each slice includes that pretty starburst center from the stem. Thicker than ½ inch and they won’t dry properly.
Arrange the slices in a single layer on a wire rack set over a baking sheet (this lets air circulate top and bottom).
- Oven method: Bake at 200°F for 3–4 hours, flipping once halfway through, until completely dry and slightly crisp.
- Dehydrator method (my favorite): Run at 130–135°F for about 12 hours, or until leathery-dry.
Let cool completely, then use them in wreaths, garlands, cocktails, or (like we did) floating in your mason jar oil lamps for the prettiest holiday glow!
What oils to use for a safer Mason jar oil lamp:
For these indoor mason jar oil lamps, stick to safe, kitchen-friendly oils: light olive oil, canola, or pure castor oil. Unlike kerosene or other highly flammable fuels, these oils burn cleanly with almost no fumes and won’t ignite if the jar tips or spills—making them perfect for worry-free holiday ambiance around kids and pets. Definitely do NOT use kerosene or other flammable oils in this lamp.
Open-Flame Safety Reminder (Please Follow Every Time!)
- Never leave a burning lamp unattended—keep it in sight at all times.
- Extinguish all flames before leaving the room or going to sleep.
- Place the lamp on a stable, heat-safe surface far from anything flammable: curtains, bedding, paper, books, decorations, etc.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets—no edges where it can be knocked over.
A few simple habits let you enjoy that beautiful glow safely all season long! 🕯️
DIY Mason Jar Oil Lamp:
Supplies
- Pinecones, small enough to fit into the mason jar
- Dried Orange Slices
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Star Anise
- Cloves
- Rosemary (or other fresh greenery like pine, cypress, fir or cedar)
- Fresh Cranberries
- Light Olive Oil or Canola Oil
- Christmas Scented Essential Oils, optional
- Floating Wicks
Equipment Needed:
- Pint Mason Jars
- Wooden Chop Stick or long wooden Skewer
3 Variations on the DIY Mason Jar Oil Lamp
These twists keep the core project simple and safe (using household oils like olive or canola, floating wicks, and open-flame precautions), but swap in seasonal themes for fresh vibes. Each uses a standard pint mason jar and takes under 15 minutes to assemble.
Variation 1: Spiced Chai Serenity (Cozy & Aromatic Escape)
Embrace warm, comforting layers for a chai-tea vibe:
- Fill with broken cinnamon sticks,
- whole cardamom pods,
- a few cloves, and
- dried ginger slices (thinly sliced fresh ginger, dehydrated at 200°F for 2–3 hours until crisp).
- Tuck in dried pear slices for subtle sweetness and
- a sprig of dried lavender for calm.
- Stir in 3 drops of cinnamon or vanilla essential oil.
This one’s a dream for a bedside table—its subtle spice scent lingers like a hug, turning evenings into instant relaxation.
Variation 2: Citrus Sunrise (Bright & Zesty Ambiance)
Go vibrant and uplifting with sunny citrus layers
- Stack 3–4 dried lemon or grapefruit slices (sliced ¼-inch thick and dehydrated at 130°F for 10–12 hours),
- a cinnamon stick snapped in half,
- star anise pods, and
- sprigs of fresh thyme or bay leaves from the kitchen.
- Skip the cranberries; add dried cranberries or raisins instead for pops of red.
- Infuse the oil with 4–5 drops of sweet orange essential oil for a warm, spa-like aroma
Ideal as a breakfast nook centerpiece—wakes up winter mornings with tangy cheer.
Variation 3: Woodland Wonderland (Nature-Inspired Glow)
Trade the classic Christmas spices for a forest-fresh twist:
- Layer in 2–3 small pinecones,
- fresh fir or cedar clippings (from your yard or tree),
- handful of whole cloves, and
- dried apple slices (dehydrated the same way as oranges—200°F for 3–4 hours).
- Top with a few acorns or faux moss if handy.
- Fill with oil, add 3 drops of pine essential oil for that crisp evergreen scent, and float the wick.
Perfect for a rustic mantel—evokes a cozy cabin hike without the cleanup.
Making Oil Lamps out of Mason Jars:
Start with a clean pint mason jar and layer in the holiday goodness: one or two small pinecones, two or three cinnamon sticks, and a couple of your beautiful dried orange slices.
No need to fuss with perfect placement right now—just drop everything in loosely. You can nudge things into place later once the jar is filled and you can see how they settle. Easy and stress-free!
Tuck in a few star anise pods, whole cloves, and fresh rosemary sprigs (or any greenery you love) around the orange slices and pinecones. Pack everything snugly so the pieces stay beautifully in place once the oil is added.
Use a chopstick or long skewer to gently nudge the spices, greenery, and orange slices into a pretty, balanced arrangement. Then drop in a handful of fresh cranberries and poke them into the perfect spots with the chopstick so they stay put and add that festive pop of red.
Make sure all the goodies are pushed down well below the jar’s neck—this gives the floating wick plenty of room to move freely on top of the oil without getting crowded.
Carefully pour light olive oil into the jar until it’s about ½–¾ inch below the rim. Add 3–5 drops of your favorite holiday essential oil (cinnamon, orange, pine, or peppermint work beautifully) and give it a gentle stir with a chopstick.
The cranberries will instantly bob to the top—totally normal! Use the chopstick to tuck a few beneath the cinnamon sticks or orange slices so they stay put, but let some float for that pretty pop of red. It all looks gorgeous once the wick is glowing!
Follow the wick package directions: slip the tiny wick into the center hole of the floating disc, pushing it down about ⅔ of the way. Then gently drop the disc into the oil, cork side down, so the metal side faces up. It’ll float perfectly and be ready to light!
With just a mason jar, a few pantry staples, and seasonal treasures, you’ve created a gorgeous, glowing oil lamps that bring warmth and fragrance to any corner of your home. Safe, inexpensive, and endlessly customizable, these little lanterns prove that the simplest DIYs often shine the brightest. Light one tonight, breathe in the gentle spiced scent, and let that soft flicker remind you: holiday magic doesn’t have to be complicated—it just has to feel like home.
Other Christmas Crafts:
✂️ Tutorial
Equipment
- Wooden Chop Stick or long wooden Skewer
Ingredients
- Pinecones small enough to fit into the mason jar
- Dried Orange Slices
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Star Anise
- Whole Cloves
- Rosemary or other fresh greenery like pine, cypress, fir or cedar
- Fresh Cranberries
- Light Olive Oil or Canola Oil
- Christmas Scented Essential Oils optional
- Floating Wicks
Instructions
- Start with a clean pint mason jar and layer in the holiday goodness: one or two small pinecones, two or three cinnamon sticks, and a couple of your beautiful dried orange slices.
- No need to fuss with perfect placement right now—just drop everything in loosely. You can nudge things into place later once the jar is filled and you can see how they settle. Easy and stress-free!
- Tuck in a few star anise pods, whole cloves, and fresh rosemary sprigs (or any greenery you love) around the orange slices and pinecones. Pack everything snugly so the pieces stay beautifully in place once the oil is added.
- Use a chopstick or long skewer to gently nudge the spices, greenery, and orange slices into a pretty, balanced arrangement. Then drop in a handful of fresh cranberries and poke them into the perfect spots with the chopstick so they stay put and add that festive pop of red.
- Make sure all the goodies are pushed down well below the jar’s neck—this gives the floating wick plenty of room to move freely on top of the oil without getting crowded.
- Carefully fill the mason jar oil lamp with light olive oil then add several drops of your choice of essential oil and stir. The cranberries will float to the top, you can push some of them down under the other items to hold them. But it’s ok to allow some of them to float.
- Follow the wick package directions: slip the tiny wick into the center hole of the floating disc, pushing it down about ⅔ of the way. Then gently drop the disc into the oil, cork side down, so the metal side faces up. It’ll float perfectly and be ready to light!
Notes
- Always keep a burning lamp within sight. Extinguish all flames when leaving a room or before going to sleep.
- Never burn your lamp on or near anything that can ignite. Place it away from drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, flammable decorations, etc.
- Keep this lamp out of the reach of children and pets. Don’t place it where they might be knocked over by children or pets.
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