Alright, let’s be honest. We all want our homes to look like a Pottery Barn catalog during the holidays. You know, all warm lighting, rustic charm, and that specific glow that screams “I have my life together.” But then you look at your wallet, and it’s crying. Or you look at your stash of decorations and realize half your bulbs are burnt out from last year.
So, what’s a crafty Scrooge to do? You make your own magic, obviously.
I’ve been down this road more times than I care to admit. I’ve had projects that looked like a Pinterest fail (we don’t talk about the melted crayon incident of 2019) and others that actually fooled my mother-in-law into thinking I bought them. These seven DIY Christmas candle holders are the cream of the crop. They’re easy on the wallet, heavy on the charm, and they’ll give your space that holiday glow without requiring you to sell a kidney.
Grab your glue gun, and let’s get started.
1. Rustic Mason Jar Snow Globes (That Don’t Leak)
Mason jars are the little black dress of the DIY world. They go with everything. But instead of just throwing a candle in one and calling it a day, we’re going full snow globe.
What You’ll Need
- Clean mason jars (any size works, but pint-sized are my favorite)
- Small faux evergreen sprigs or a mini pine tree
- Faux berries or small red ornaments
- Epsom salts (this is our “snow”)
- Super glue or a heavy-duty glue gun
- Tea light or small LED candle
Making It Happen
First, glue your greenery to the inside of the jar lid. I usually make a little cluster with the tree, some berries, and maybe a sprig of something else. Let that dry completely. Seriously, don’t rush this step. If it falls off later, you’ll be cursing my name.
Once it’s dry, pour a decent layer of Epsom salts into the bottom of the jar. This is your snowdrift. Pop your greenery-lid onto the jar, screw it tight, and flip it over.
Now, place your tea light on top of the lid. The flat surface of the lid is the perfect base. The light shines up through the glass, hits the “snow” at the bottom, and creates the coziest little winter scene. I love using the flameless flickering LED tealights for these. They last forever and you won’t burn your house down. It’s a win-win.
2. Cinnamon Stick Bundles That Smell Like the Holidays
Ever wonder why walking into a holiday shop smells so good? It’s rarely an actual candle. It’s often cinnamon. This project tackles two things at once: ambient lighting and a natural air freshener.
Why Cinnamon Works
Cinnamon sticks are cheap, smell amazing, and look super rustic. Plus, when the candle warms them up just a little, the scent releases into the room. IMO, this beats any synthetic pine-scented spray.
The How-To
- Grab a handful of cinnamon sticks. You want them all roughly the same height.
- Arrange them around a simple glass votive or a small drinking glass. The glass is just the form; we aren’t gluing them to it yet.
- Tie them together with natural twine or a rustic ribbon. Wrap it around a few times and tie it tight. This is your “candle holder” sleeve.
- Slide the glass votive inside the ring of cinnamon sticks.
- Pop a tea light or a small pillar candle inside the glass.
The glass protects the sticks from catching fire (safety first, kids!) and the whole thing just radiates warmth. Pro tip: add a little sprig of dried orange peel tucked under the twine for a next-level sensory experience.
3. Upcycled Wine Bottle Ambiance
I usually have a few empty bottles lying around after the holiday parties. (Don’t judge me.) Instead of just recycling them, let’s turn them into chic candle holders. This one requires a tiny bit of patience, but the payoff is huge.
The Great Freeze
First, you need to clean the bottle and peel off the label. Soak it in hot, soapy water—it makes the label removal way less of a headache.
Next, fill the bottle with water right up to the base of the neck and stick it in the freezer overnight. Water expands when it freezes, and that’s exactly what we want.
The Break
Take the frozen bottle out. Using a steady hand and a knife or a scoring tool, score a line around the bottle where you want it to break. Then, run hot tap water over the score line. The rapid temperature change from the ice inside and the hot water outside should cause the glass to snap cleanly along that line. It feels like magic every single time.
Now you have a DIY drinking glass or a vase. Sand down the sharp edges with coarse sandpaper, then fine sandpaper until it’s smooth.
Drop in a taper candle or a wide pillar. The uneven, broken edge catches the light in the most beautiful way. It looks expensive. It is not. 🙂
4. Nature Walk Log Slice Holder
If you live near a park or even have a backyard, go for a quick walk. Pick up a few sturdy branches or, if you’re lucky, find a log that’s already been cut. We’re making birch log candle holders without paying the insane craft store prices.
Prepping the Wood
- Saw your log into slices about 3-4 inches thick. If you don’t have a saw, ask a friend who does or just buy pre-cut slices from a craft store. No judgment here.
- Let the wood dry out for a few days if it’s fresh. You don’t want moisture ruining your candle.
Drilling the Perfect Hole
You’ll need a drill with a spade bit that’s slightly wider than your candles. Mark the center of the log slice.
Drill down about an inch to an inch and a half. Don’t go all the way through!
Clean out the sawdust.
Place a tea light or a small pillar candle in the hole. The bark on the edges, the rings of the wood, and the warm glow from the center? Chef’s kiss. It’s rugged, natural, and looks exactly like the $40 ones you see on Etsy.
5. The “I-Cannot-Believe-That’s-Orange” Holder
This one sounds a little crazy, but stick with me. Using citrus peels as candle holders is an ancient trick that looks ridiculously cool and smells divine.
Pick Your Fruit
Grab some oranges, clementines, or even grapefruits. The thicker the peel, the easier this is.
Cut the fruit in half and scoop out all the flesh. (Eat it. It’s a healthy snack while you craft. Balance.)
The Design
You have two options here:
- Simple Votive: Just place a small tea light inside the empty half-peel.
- Carved Lantern: Before you scoop the fruit, use a sharp knife to carve a simple design into the peel—a star, a tree, or just some polka dots. Then scoop it out. When you put the candle inside, the light shines through the cut-out parts.
The essential oils in the peel heat up and make the whole room smell like a citrus grove. It’s the easiest, cheapest centerpiece you’ll ever make. And when you’re done? Toss it in the compost. Zero cleanup.
6. Glammed-Up Glass with Snowy Salt
This is for those of us who want a little sparkle but don’t want to deal with power tools or saws. It takes about ten minutes, and you probably have everything you need already.
Materials
- A simple glass votive holder or an old wine glass
- Mod Podge (the holy grail of DIY)
- A paintbrush
- Coarse salt or Epsom salts
- A plate or tray
Let’s Get Sticky
Paint the outside of the glass with a thin, even layer of Mod Podge. Work in sections.
While the glue is still wet, hold the glass over your tray and sprinkle the salt all over it. Really coat it.
Let it sit for a minute, then gently shake off the excess onto the tray.
The result is a glass that looks like it’s been dusted with fresh snow. The texture diffuses the light from the candle inside, making it glow softly. FYI, if you use a real candle, the glass might get warm, so stick to LED lights for this one unless you enjoy the smell of melting glue.
7. Mini Terra Cotta Pot Village
Hit up the garden section or a dollar store for some tiny terra cotta pots. We’re making a little village of light.
Stacking and Gluing
You’ll need two sizes of pots for each holder. A small one and a slightly larger one.
- Base: Take the larger pot and place it upside down. This is your stand.
- Top: Take the smaller pot and glue it upside down on top of the base, so the bottoms of the pots are glued together.
- Alternative: You can also glue a saucer to the top of an upside-down pot for a different look.
The Glow-Up
Paint them white, red, or green. Leave them plain for a rustic look. You can even paint little doors and windows on them.
Place a tea light or a small pillar candle on the top flat surface (the bottom of the upside-down pot). Cluster a few of these bad boys together in different heights, and you have a whimsical little village glowing on your mantel.
One last thing: Always, always, always keep an eye on burning candles. Never leave them unattended, especially near flammable stuff like cinnamon sticks or salt-covered glass. I know we’re all about the glow here, but we’re also about not calling the fire department.
So there you have it. Seven ways to get that holiday glow without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or a newbie with a glue gun, there’s something here for you.
Now go make something awesome. And maybe send me a picture? I’d love to see how they turn out. Happy holidays
