What Can I Use Instead Of A Candlestick Holder?

Candles are a popular way to add ambiance and fragrance to any space. However, not everyone has access to traditional candle holders or wants to use them. The purpose of this article is to provide readers with creative alternatives for displaying candles without a candle holder. Readers may be looking for alternative ways to use candles if they don’t own candle holders, want to repurpose household items, have a specific decor theme, need to use candles outdoors, or are looking for an inexpensive option.

Mason Jars

Mason jars are one of the most popular and readily-available alternatives to traditional candle holders. They are inexpensive, widely sold at grocery stores and craft shops, and come in a variety of sizes that can accommodate taper candles, votives, tea lights, and pillars. Their vintage look gives them a rustic, country charm perfect for farmhouse, cottage, or shabby chic home decor.

Mason jars come in many shapes and sizes: small 4 oz jelly jars for tealights, half-pint jelly jars for taper candles, quart jars for pillar candles, and large wide-mouth canning jars for floating candles. Crafters often decorate plain mason jars with paint, twine, lace, burlap, or other embellishments. Upcycling used mason jars saves money and gives them a unique, artistic touch.

With just a mason jar and some creativity, you can make beautiful, inexpensive candle holders to use and display throughout your home. Their versatility and nostalgic style make mason jars one of the most popular candle holder alternatives.

Bottles

Old glass bottles in various shapes, sizes, and colors can make for creative candle holders. For example, empty wine, beer, or soda bottles can be repurposed. Consider decorating the bottles by adding twine, fresh flowers, glitter, painted designs, or other embellishments. This creates a customized, crafty look.

Tall, slender wine bottles work well for taper candles. Shorter, wider beer or soda bottles are ideal for holding wider pillar candles or tea lights. The transparent glass allows the candlelight to shine through beautifully. Feel free to mix and match different shaped bottles for visual interest.

Reusing glass bottles gives them renewed purpose, keeping them out of landfills. Make sure to clean and dry bottles thoroughly before using for candles. Remove any paper labels by soaking the bottles in warm water. Then transform your leftover bottles into charming candle holders with a personal touch.

Wood

Wood is a popular natural material to use as an alternative to traditional candlestick holders. Some simple DIY options using wood include creating wood blocks by cutting and sanding pieces of wood into square or rectangular blocks with a hole drilled to hold the candle. Small tree slices or rounds, with the center hollowed out, also make rustic and charming candle holders.

Opting for wood provides an earthy, natural feel and allows you to customize sizes and shapes. Many prefer wood’s organic imperfections over the uniformity of metal and glass. Try experimenting with different types of wood, like pine, oak, cedar, or birch. Sand and finish the wood to protect it from scorching and add extra visual appeal.

Tree slices with the bark left on have an especially rustic, raw look. Look for tree trimmings from arborists or trees that have naturally fallen and cut cross-section slices. Hollow out the center with a drill or chisel to cradle candles securely. Using natural materials sourced straight from trees in your area can create charming, sustainable candle holders.

Tin Cans

Tin cans make for a great candlestick holder option if you want an inexpensive DIY project using recycled materials. Tin cans are likely already around your home, making them easily accessible. They can give your decor an industrial, vintage aesthetic when repurposed into candle holders.

Tin food cans, soup cans, coffee cans, and any other cylindrical tin containers can easily be transformed into charming candle luminaries. Clean out the can, make sure to remove any food residue. Use a nail, drill bit, or punch to add holes for light to shine through. You can create simple patterns by punching the metal. For more stability, fill the bottom of the can with rocks, marbles, or sand before placing a candle inside.

Punched tin lanterns have a folk art feel perfect for country, farmhouse, or rustic decor. Spray painting the tin cans adds a pop of color. Distressing the paint gives an antique look. For a quick design, wrap the outside of the can with jute rope. Add handles to make portable hanging lights. Upcycle tea tins or soup cans into sweet tabletop candle holders.

With just a bit of creativity, tin cans make for easy, thrifty candle holders to light up your home.

Rocks/Stones

Rocks and stones from nature make for attractive and earthy candle holders. The natural ridges, colors, and shapes of rocks add visual interest and texture. Tumbled smooth stones, like those from rivers or oceans, have an appealing tactile quality. Larger rocks can provide substantial weight to anchor a candle.

Rock candle holders showcase the raw beauty of natural stones. Yet rocks can also be decorated if desired. Painting, carving, or affixing gems, crystals, or found objects to the rock’s surface offer creative possibilities for customization. Sanding or polishing brings out a stone’s inherent color and veining.

Groupings of varying rocks and stones in different sizes and shapes make for eclectic candle displays. The organic nature and handcrafted uniqueness of rock candle holders is part of their charm.

Source: https://funkyrockdesigns.com/products/stone-candleholder

Teacups

Vintage teacups can make charming candle holders with their delicate, feminine shapes and patterns. Their dainty handles and saucers create a shabby chic look when displayed with candles. Searching secondhand stores or online shops like Etsy can turn up lovely vintage teacup sets for a coordinated display on a mantel or table.

For example, this Etsy shop has a wide selection of vintage and handmade teacup candle holders to choose from.

Teacup candle holders often have open tops that highlight pillar candles or wide openings to nestle standard taper candles. The transparent glass or delicate china material provides a minimal barrier for the candlelight to shine through. The cup handles allow for easy rearrangement of the candles as desired.

Groupings of matching teacup candle holders create a warm, inviting look perfect for centerpieces. Their nostalgic design calls to mind afternoon tea or other genteel gatherings. For those desiring a romantic or feminine aesthetic, teacup candle holders add just the right decorative touch.

Terracotta Pots

Terracotta pots make for great candle holders thanks to their affordability and availability. You can easily find these rustic, earthy pots at most craft stores, garden centers, and home improvement stores. They come in a variety of sizes from small tea light holders to larger pillar candle holders. The natural terracotta material provides a nice complement to the soft glow of a candle flame.

Small terracotta flower pots work perfectly for tealights or votives. For taper candles, try taller, skinnier terracotta pots designed for herbs and succulents. Larger pots meant for small house plants can hold chunky pillar candles. You can find simple terracotta pots for just a couple dollars apiece. Opt for ones without drainage holes in the bottom if you plan to hold candles. The raw, unfinished terracotta gives these candle holders an organic, handmade feel.

To use terracotta pots as candle holders, simply place a candle in the opening. If needed, use pebbles, marbles, sand, or beads in the bottom to keep them standing upright. You can leave the pots completely natural or paint, stain, or decorate them however you like. Try distressing them with sandpaper or a hammer for an aged, weathered look. Terracotta pots work wonderfully as candle holders both indoors and outdoors given their durable nature.

Other Household Items

Around most homes, there are plenty of common household objects that can be repurposed as candle holders in a pinch. Empty glass jars, bowls, glasses, and other containers make excellent improvised candle holders. With a little creativity, you can transform everyday items into unique candle displays.

Clear glass jars and bowls work especially well, allowing the candlelight to shine through the sides. Pasta sauce jars, pickle jars, jam jars, and mason jars in various sizes can all be cleaned out and used for candles. Bowls and cups, including clear glass or ceramic mugs, also make interesting candle holders.

For a rustic or vintage look, use tinted glass or ceramic containers like mixing bowls, pie dishes, and casserole dishes. Colorful glass vases and flower pots can also be repurposed as candle containers. The options are virtually endless once you start looking around your home for potential candle holder vessels.

To turn any household container into a makeshift candle holder, make sure it is heat resistant. Glass, ceramic, metal and stone materials work best. Avoid using plastic or paper items near an open flame. Add sand, marbles or beads at the bottom if needed to keep tall, narrow candles upright. With the right household objects and a creative eye, you can make candle holders tailored to your personal style.

Conclusion

There are many creative alternatives to traditional candlestick holders available right in your home. Mason jars, bottles, tin cans, rocks, teacups, and terracotta pots are just some of the common household items that can be repurposed as unique candle holders. Using these DIY options allows you to add a personal touch and custom look to your candle displays.

When using alternative candle holders, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Make sure the object you use is sturdy and won’t tip over with the weight of the candle. Glass jars and bottles should be checked for cracks or flaws. Tie ribbons around necks of bottles for extra stability and decoration. Place candle holders on a heat resistant surface, and keep them away from flammable materials. Monitor candles closely and extinguish before leaving a room or going to sleep. With some creativity and caution, everyday objects can become beautiful one-of-a-kind candle holders.