Is someone you love turning 16?

Do you (or they) love the Disney movie, “16 Wishes”?

This step-by-step guide makes creating your own “16 Wishes” candle box easy with links to supplies, instructions, and tips.

I got a text. My daughter was turning 16 a month from then.

“I want this,” the text read, with a link to a TikTok video with a user who had made a Sweet 16 candle box, just like in the movie. Then, I discovered that such an item can’t just be bought on Disney’s website.

If you want to give that special someone you love an unforgettable Sweet 16 gift, a “16 Wishes” candle box is it! You’ll have two options if you want to give that person their very own box: 1) go on Etsy and waste $75 on someone else’s box, or 2) make your own! The instructions, along with links to the products, you’ll need are below.

Supplies You’ll Buy:

From Amazon:

Digital Downloads from Etsy:


Household Supplies You’ll Need:

  • Color printer (or a photo printing center like Walgreens nearby),

  • Scissors,

  • Glue (a simple stick glue works best),

  • Paintbrush (a simple sponge brush will do),

  • Cardboard (like the box that delivered all of your supplies from the list above).

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Candles

Take scissors (or a knife, razor blade, or other sharp, metal blade) and srape the metallic paint off of the wick and stick of the candle. Wipe them off so there’s no flaked paint left.

Step 2: Paint the Candles

Paint four (4) candles of the same color so that you have 4 Periwinkle, 4 Petal Pink, 4 Bright Green, and 4 Real Green candles.

I poked holes through a paper plate and put the plate on a wire baking rack so each candle’s paint could dry without touching anything.

Let the paint dry.

Step 3: Add Yellow Stickers

Center a yellow star sticker in the middle of one side of each candle so it’s in the middle. Repeat until all 16 candles have a yellow star sticker.

Step 4: Paint the Numbers

Using the gold puffy paint, write out the numbers 1-16 on the candles.

Lay flat to dry.

Step 5: Print and Add Images (Digital Downloads)

Print the digital downloads and cut the images out. Add images to the front, back, and sides of the gold gift box using the glue stick. Cut out matchbox image and apply to matchbox.

Step 6: Assemble a Cardboard Holder

Using the measurements from the inside of the box, create a makeshift stand/holder out of cardboard to hold the candles. Once it’s finished, cover in pink tissue paper so it looks pretty.

Step 7: Assemble

Put the candles into the tissue paper-covered cardboard holder you created, and place it in the gift box. Add the wishlist and matchbox. Close the box. You’re done!

Photos from the movie for reference.

This is how mine turned out.

Ultimately, have fun!

There are many ways to create your own “16 Wishes” box, and this is just one way. Enjoy the process!