Today, I have a great last minute DIY craft that the kids can make for any loved one that you have yet to cross off your list. These frosted candle holders are so cute and look beautiful with a tea light candle lit inside them. They are inexpensive to make, too, because you use glue and regular table salt to frost them! The kids will get a kick out of that… and may try to sneak a taste of their project like mine did!
These candle holders are easy to make, and they are sure to bring a smile to the face of whomever your children present them to. I know my son can’t wait to give his to Grandma when she comes to visit for the holidays this year!
Christmas Candle Holder Craft for Kids
Here is what you’ll need:
- Small glass jar (A round jar would be easiest. You could even use empty baby food jars if you have them.)
- Tacky glue
- Paint brush
- Table salt
- Paper or styrofoam plates or bowls
- Glitter
- Decorative Christmas stickers
First, take the glass jar and use the tacky glue to draw a circle on the front. (This is where your stickers will go at the end.) The perfectionist in me insisted that I cut a circle out of paper, place it on the jar, and spread glue away from the edges to create an even circle. (Otherwise, it would have looked more like an amoeba than a symmetrical shape.)
Then, have your child paint the rest of the jar, except for the bottom and the top rim, with the tacky glue. The bigger the paint brush, the easier it will be to get the glue on before it dries. After applying the glue, your jar will look something like this:
Then, pour out some table salt into a disposable bowl or a plate and have your child roll the glass in the salt. You will have to pick up handfuls of salt and sprinkle it anywhere on the glass that does not get covered.
Don’t worry about excess salt at this point. Just make sure the glue is completely covered. Set the jar aside until the glue dries. (I let mine sit overnight on plates so that salt did not end up everywhere.)
Once the glue is dry, use your finger to rub off the excess salt until the jar is fairly evenly covered. Then, squeeze out some tacky glue into one bowl or plate and glitter into another. Have your child dip the jar in the glue upside down (supervising, of course, so that glue does not drip across the room) and wait for it to stop dripping. Then, dip the jar into the glitter.
Sprinkle glitter on any spots on the rim that don’t get covered. Now, have your child add the stickers to the circle on the front of the jar. You will want to use stickers that have either a clear background or no background behind the image. Stickers with a white or colored background will not look as crisp or let as much candlelight through. And you’re done!
I love having my kids make gifts for other people rather than buying something for the kids to just hand to someone. It really helps them get involved in the giving part of Christmas! It is so wonderful to see the joy they experience through blessing others.
Do you have any suggestions or ideas to add for this little project? Please leave a comment below! Merry Christmas!
Anna@stuffedveggies says
What a great idea! These look both do-able AND impressive to give as gifts! : )
Anna@stuffedveggies recently posted…My Mom’s Chocolate Icing
Keara Littner says
Those are some really neat little candle holders! I wouldn’t mind making a few of these with my kids during the holidays. I’ll have to remember to do that when Christmas rolls around again! Hopefully we’ll all have some extra time to sit down and make a few together.
Jamie says
OMG these candle holder look gorgeous (well your photos, too, as always!) . Will def try them out for my son’s birthday. He must love it! Thanks for sharing.
Jamie recently posted…The 9 Best Candles On Etsy 2020
Angie Russell says
What a neat gift! I love doing things like this with my grandgirls! I would live to add individually wrapped candies to our creations. How fun it would be to give to an elderly friend or someone who lives alone with a note that says something such as “Sweets for a real Sweetie” or “Something sweet for a sweet friend during the sweetest season of all”! The candies provide a treat and would look festive and inviting when displayed!
Janine says
Thank you!