The holiday season is a time for gathering with loved ones, sharing delicious meals, and creating warm memories. One of the most delightful ways to enhance the festive atmosphere of your home is by decorating your holiday table with beautiful candle holders. Not only do they provide a cosy and inviting glow, but they also serve as stunning centrepieces that can reflect your personal style. Whether you prefer rustic charm, elegant sophistication, or a touch of sparkle, there are countless DIY ideas to inspire you. In this blog, we'll explore five creative and easy-to-make decorative candle holders that will add a special touch to your holiday celebrations.
1. Mason Jar Candle Holders
Mason jar candle holders are a charming and versatile addition to your holiday table. They provide a cosy and rustic touch, perfect for creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. These holders can be easily customised with various decorations such as pinecones, berries, and small ornaments, adding a festive feel. You can fill the jars with fake snow or Epsom salt for a wintery effect and wrap the tops with twine or ribbon to enhance their rustic appeal. Placing a tea light or votive candle inside illuminates the decorations, casting a soft, flickering glow. These candle holders are simple yet elegant, making them a delightful DIY project for the holiday season.
2. Wine Glass Candle Holders
Wine glass candle holders bring a touch of elegance and sophistication to any holiday table. By turning wine glasses upside down, you can create a beautiful and unique candle holder. The bowl of the glass can be filled with small ornaments, beads, or festive figurines, creating a mini holiday scene encased in glass. For added sparkle, you can coat the inside with glitter. Placing a pillar candle or tea light on the base of the inverted glass completes the look. These candle holders are perfect for repurposing old wine glasses and adding a refined, decorative element to your festive table setting.
3. Rustic Wood Candle Holders
Rustic wood candle holders are perfect for bringing a natural, outdoorsy vibe to your holiday décor. Made from small logs or thick branches, these candle holders add a touch of rugged charm to your table. The wood's natural texture and grain provide a beautiful, earthy aesthetic. Each piece can be cut to different heights, creating a varied and interesting display. Drilling a hole in the centre to fit a tea light candle completes the look, with the candlelight enhancing the wood's natural beauty. These candle holders are a great way to incorporate elements of nature into your home, adding warmth and a rustic feel to your holiday celebrations.
4. Glittery Candle Holders
Glittery candle holders are a fantastic way to add sparkle and shine to your holiday table. These candle holders are made by coating glass votive holders or jars with a layer of glitter, creating a dazzling effect that catches the light beautifully. The glitter adds a festive touch, making the holders perfect for holiday celebrations. The candlelight shines through the glitter, creating a magical, shimmering glow. These holders can be customised with different colours of glitter to match your holiday décor. They are a simple yet striking way to enhance the festive atmosphere, adding a touch of glamour and elegance to your table setting.
5. Citrus Candle Holders
Citrus candle holders offer a fresh and fragrant option for your holiday table. Made from large oranges or grapefruits, these holders provide a unique and natural element to your décor. The vibrant colours of the citrus fruits add a pop of brightness, while their fresh scent creates a delightful ambiance. By hollowing out the fruits and placing a tea light inside, you can create a beautiful and aromatic candle holder. The candlelight illuminates the citrus, enhancing its natural beauty and adding a warm, glowing effect. These candle holders are a creative and refreshing addition to any holiday table, blending visual appeal with a lovely, natural fragrance.
If you don't have enough time to DIY, then consider this "A Christmas Scene Tealight Decoration" to illuminate your decorations with the traditional Christmas feel.
The Significance of Candle Holders for Christmas
Candle holders have long held a special place in Christmas traditions, serving both practical and symbolic roles that enhance the holiday’s festive atmosphere. Their significance can be appreciated through various cultural, religious, and decorative aspects that make them a cherished part of Christmas celebrations.
Historical and Cultural Importance
- Yule Candle: The Yule candle, a tradition with roots in paganism, was later adopted into Christmas celebrations. It is typically placed in a special candle holder and lit on Christmas Eve to bring warmth and light, symbolising the return of the sun after the winter solstice.
- Christmas Tree Candles: Before electric lights, candles were used to illuminate Christmas trees. Special candle holders, often clip-on types, were designed to safely hold these candles, adding a magical, twinkling effect to the tree.
Decorative Significance
- Table Centrepieces: Candle holders are often the focal point of Christmas table settings. They create a warm, inviting atmosphere and can be decorated with seasonal elements such as holly, pinecones, and berries. These centrepieces not only provide light but also enhance the aesthetic appeal of the holiday table.
- Mantel and Window Displays: Candle holders are commonly used to decorate mantels and windows during Christmas. In windows, they symbolise welcoming light and hospitality, often arranged to create a glowing display that can be seen from outside. On mantels, they are paired with garlands and stockings, adding to the festive decor.
Practical Uses
- Ambience: The warm, flickering light of candles in ornamental holders produces a cosy and serene atmosphere, ideal for holiday parties. This atmosphere fosters a sense of warmth and togetherness, making Christmas celebrations more intimate and memorable.
- Illumination: During power outages or simply for the sake of tradition, candles in holders provide essential illumination. Their practical use is intertwined with the nostalgic charm of celebrating Christmas by candlelight, reminiscent of simpler times.
Family Traditions
- Crafting and Customisation: Making or customising candle holders can become a cherished family tradition. This activity allows families to spend time together, creating personalised pieces that can be used year after year. These handmade holders often become treasured keepsakes, passed down through generations.
- Rituals and Ceremonies: Lighting candles in special holders can be part of family rituals, such as reading Christmas stories by candlelight, saying prayers, or singing carols. These rituals help reinforce the spiritual and familial bonds that are central to the holiday season.
Takeaway
Decorating your holiday table with DIY candle holders is a wonderful way to add a personal touch to your festive décor. Whether you choose the rustic charm of mason jars and wood, the elegance of wine glasses, the sparkle of glitter, or the freshness of citrus, each candle holder brings its own unique beauty to your celebrations. These projects are not only easy and fun to make but also provide a warm and inviting atmosphere that will make your holiday gatherings even more special. So, gather your materials, unleash your creativity, and let these decorative candle holders light up your holiday season with joy and warmth.