It’s almost time to start handing out your neighbor gifts.
Here’s a little gift idea I came up with – DIY Votive Pillar Candles.
Who couldn’t use a cute candle holder in the cold winter months, right? And, this project is super inexpensive. Each pillar candle ends up being about $1.50. Yes, $1.50 for a neighbor gift isn’t too bad! And if you really like someone, you can give them a set of three candles in different heights. Yes!!!
I got a router for my birthday, so I was so excited to learn how to use it to make this project!
This is what I did to make this project:
- 1 6x6x8 board from your local lumber store. {one board = 10-15 blocks $8}
- A pack of glass votive candles. I bought mine at Hobby Lobby.
- Paint.
- Felt for embellishments {optional}
- Hot glue sticks and gun
- A Big Shot cutter {optional}
- A router, saw and drill press {optional}
Directions:
- Cut your boards. I cut mine 4 inches, 6 inches and 8 inches. If you don’t have a saw, you can ask Home Depot to cut your board.
- Route the boards {optional}
- Sand the boards.
- Drill out the hole for the votive. I borrowed my neighbors drill press.
- Paint the blocks.
- Stain the blocks.
- Cut out felt shapes for embellishments.
- Layer the shapes.
- Insert the tea lights.
I borrowed my neighbor’s drill press to make the holes for the votives, but if you don’t have access to a drill press, you can make the blocks flat and add candles to the top. I also used my Big Shot die cut machine to cut out the felt shapes, but you can freehand the shapes by tracing circles onto felt and cutting them out. I used assorted brads and buttons to embellish the shapes.
I also experimented and made a paper pinwheel on one of the blocks.
So use your imagination. There are so many things you could do to personalize your candles. Another idea would be to make vinyl letters with the family’s initial for neighbor gifts!
Happy Holidays!!
xoxo
what a great idea! thank you for your inspiring tutorial.
Great idea! Lucky neighbors you have 🙂
Love these votives! I make (well mr. woodsy) makes these for me! And then I jazz them up! Great job!
Love it… although I might forego the felt and stencil letters and write a message for my mantle… such as hope, love, family, home, or my last name
you are taking the posie cluster to new heights! you look adorable!
these candle holders are an awesome idea. love all the details you made for them!
xo
kellie
I wear your Nest of Posies like every single day. I am in love with them.
xoxoxo
Jen
I love these Jen! I’m gonna have to track down a neighbor with a drill press too! 🙂
Love these! What great gifts!
jamie @ sewrockin.com
These are great! I don’t have all your fancy tools, but I could get around that, I’ve watched enough DIY tc, LOL. Tight times, I’ll bet these gifts will be so much appreciated. Especially around here if we get more storms that knock power out for a week. 2 thumbs up, while I’ve still got 2 thumbs, haven’t used power tools yet. 🙂
I need a router!
what is the thing that you used to cut out the felt shapes? What is it called??
[email protected]
vicki
I love how these look and even though these are inexpensive they take quite a bit of effort which I’m sure your neighbors will appreciate!
Lets just talk about how cute your cardigan is!
We did something like this for our wedding. Our aisle decor was hanging test tube vases that I made and then the main decoration for the alter table was this (http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/318333_2148350626533_1179330129_32158378_963821706_n.jpg) (http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/293259_2148350306525_1179330129_32158377_538242917_n.jpg) with one flower honoring our grandparents and my husband’s father who have died with candles in between. (word of warning, make sure to use candles that nearly fill the glass so that they can get enough oxygen to keep burning).
I can’t believe how adorable these are! Lucky lucky neighbors!!
Hello! Im new to your wedsite! And its adorable! Any way….. question for you… When you paint and then stain… could you explain that step by step for me? What kind of stain? And did you stain and then wipe off right away?
Thanks!
Very cute I love how you put your felt embellishments on these also, hopefully my hubby will want to try this project out with me!
Hello Jen,
Dag, your candles holders are super cute. Thanks for the tutorial.
Smiles, Paula
Oh my these are so cute! I’m totally going to make some of these, but for me…. not as gifts 🙂
These look great, what a fabulous idea! I think I will make some with sea shells on the front..I too received a router for my birthday & I love it. I’ve been making coat racks out of offcuts.
xx
sooo in love gotta try this
oh to have fun wood tools so I could make cool this like this, I love how these turned out!
How do you like your router? I am wanting to get me one soon too. What kind is yours, and where did you get it?
Those are really cute! I wish I’m your neighbor. =P
That’s awesome Jen! I’m happy to know that I’m not the only one that still gives neighbor gifts. This year I’m making my neighbors Chocolate covered salted caramels. 🙂
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
Yummy!! Those sound so good Anna!!!
xoxo
Awesome! Sooooo gonna do this for our mantel! Thanks Jen!
Those are darling! Can I be your neighbor?
I wish you were Leanne 🙂
xoxoxo
well aren’t you dressed up to use power tools! 🙂
I know – I’m a weirdo 🙂
xoxo
I love these! (Did you do a similar version before?) btw You just kill me that you are so pretty and put together when crafting! (I haven’t haven’t gotten in a shower yet today!) ha! 🙂
LOL – that picture was taken on my actual birthday so I did make an effort to get dressed. Usually I am running around in my paint-stained sweats. hahaha!!
Love ya Viv! Will you send me your address? I want to send you a card 🙂
xoxoxox
Jen