How To Make Surprisingly Easy Tea Light Holders

Candlelight is magical. But getting a candle as a gift makes it even more special – especially one like this that keeps on giving!

These DIY holders are such a great gift. Not only can you customize it to your recipients liking with colors that match their kitchen or bahroom, but you can also get some great scented candles you know they’ll love. 

Once you see how easy these tea light candle gifts are to make, you’ll want to make all your girlfriends these DIY simple tea light holders.

And they look amazing! DIY tea light holders look like an expensive gift but they won’t cost you a ton of money to make – under $5 per gift!

And the best part? Your family can get in on the fun! Your family can help you make these tea light candle gifts and then you’ll be able to knock out a bunch in a quick hour!

This post is part of our 30 Days of Homemade Gifts Series. 30 gifts that are easy (and cheap) to make, but also something you’ll be proud to give.

Each Homemade Gift has to meet 5 stipulations in order to maximize your money and make it easy for a busy mom to do:

1. Easy to obtain supplies –  Supplies are things you might already have on hand or are easy to find at Walmart or a craft store so you can get them in the same day you want to make it.
2. Easy to make –  Supplies are easy to work with or use so that anyone could do it… not caustic… so you could do the craft with your kids.
3. Quick to make –  It can be made in 30 minutes or less so it’s possible to make this gift in the middle of the night with products you most likely already have on hand. (Note: The 30 minute guide is your “hands on” time, dry time is excluded.)
4. Cheap to make – You should be able to make the project without spending more than $10.
5. Substantial – Each gift is “big” enough that you’ll feel confident giving it alone and not having to add a gift card to it.
   BONUSES:
   Multiple uses –  Multiple gifts can be made out of the same supplies giving you options to use up all the supplies you buy.
   Saving Money Double Bonus: Try to think about what you already have on hand to upcycled and save more money.

Are you ready to learn how to make tea light candle gifts? Let’s learn how to DIY simple tea light holders for gifts!

Tea Light Holders Supplies:

• Jar with lid – $1 (you’ll find some at Dollar Tree or you can easily reuse an washed sauce or jelly jar)
• Tea Light Candles 50 pk (found at Walmart or any store that sells candles)
• Candle FX 5 ct Glass Tealight Holder Value Pack, or any other type of Tea Light Holder
• Assorted Washi Tape (small enough width wise to wrap around the tea light candle without overlap)
• Assorted Ribbon for tying around jar neck
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Hot Glue Gun and hot glue sticks
• Small Box Matches for each Tea Light Holders (optional)

Make sure you check your craft and candle stash for any of the supplies to make these DIY tea light holders to save more on this project. I was pleasantly surprised to find some little glass tea light holders in my stash and that meant I didn’t have to buy new ones.

Then, head to the thrift store and dollar store. You will be able to get most of the supplies you need for these DIY simple tea light holders.

Directions To Make Tea Light Holders:

Step 1: Choose Washi Tape By Width & Colors

For safety purchases, you need to pay attention to the width of your washi tape.

Since there are varying widths of washi tape, some washi tape may be too wide to cover the candle. If it is, you will have to cover the candle and press the remaining amount of tape underneath the candle (so it does not go in the wax).

DO NOT leave any tape about the metal part towards the flame as it could catch fire.

Using coordinating washi tape colors makes them look prettier in the jar. Choosing personalized colors for who you are going to give this to really make these tea light candle gifts extra special.

Step 2: Cover The Candle Base With Washi Tape

Open your package of tea light candles.

Take the washi tape and wrap the outside of each candle all the way around. Cut the end of the washi tape with scissors.

Make sure to press the end of the tape firmly so it secures to itself.

Step 3: Fill Your Jar With The Washi Tape Candles

Once you have covered a large number of tealight candles with washi tape, place them in the jar neatly.

You’ll want to figure out the pattern of how they will fit inside the jar neatly.

If you made some candles with coordinating colors, you’ll want to add a couple of type 1, then type 2 and then type 3, etc. and repeat. Repeat adding the candles into the jar until it is filled.

The number of candles your jar will take will be determined by how large your jar is.

I only purchased one 50 ct package of candles and I had some leftover after filling two jars.

Step 4: Glue The Tea Light Holders To The Jar Lid

With a hot glue gun, add some glue to the bottom of the tea light holder and stick it to the top of the jar lid – making sure to add it to the very center of the lid.

If you glue it in the wrong place, hurry and peel the holder off the lid. Remove the glue and try again. (Yep, it’ll peel right off, easy peasy!)

This is what makes these tea light holders the best gift, when one candle burns out, they just replace it with another one from inside the jar.

These DIY simple tea light holders are one of my favorite gifts this year.

Step 5: Decorate The Jar

Here is where you can add a little more decoration to the jar itself for great-looking tea light candle gifts.

You can simply add a bow with ribbon to the jar neck, or you can add more washi tape to the jar in any pattern to you like.

Add the jar lid and you’re done with this craft!

Other Washi Tape Tea Light Holders Ideas:

I love washi tape… it is a borderline addiction, so I’ve got some other crafty gift ideas for you to use up some of that washi (to make room for more, of course).

• Mini Advent Candle Gifts
• Lolipop Candles
• Washi Tape Hanging Candles

What Do These Tea Light Holders Cost?

• Jar with lid (you can easily find some at the dollar store or reuse an old sauce jar) – As low as Free or $1
  (The large jar I found at the dollar store, the other jar was an old Ball jar I had and the lid off an apple butter jar)
• Tea Light Candles 50 pk – $2.33 (5¢/each)
  You can use plain or scented tealight candles. It’s up to you!
• Candle FX 5 ct Glass Tealight Holder Value Pack – $2.99 (found at Hobby Lobby) (60¢/each – save more w/sale or 40% coupon) Or any other type of tea light holder
• Assorted Washi Tape (small enough width wise to wrap around the tea light candle) – As low as $1 – $1.88
• Assorted Ribbon for tying around jar neck (check the Dollar store if you have some already)
• Scissors (check the Dollar store if you have one already)
• Ruler (check the Dollar store if you have one already)
• Hot Glue Gun and hot glue sticks (check the Dollar store if you have one already)
• Small Box Matches for each Tea Light Holders 10 ct –  $3.27 (33¢/each) (optional)

Total Cost Per Jar: $3.93 (candles, tea light holder & washi tape)

Are you surprised at how cute these DIY tea light holders are? I love that you can customize it to your recipients liking with colors of washi tape, and even great scented candles.

Plus, these tea light candle gifts are so easy to make, you’ll be wanting to make everyone some DIY simple tea light holders right away.

Your friends and family will love their expensive-looking DIY tea light holders. But the secret of how cheap they actually cost is safe with me.

And since your family can get in on the fun, it will be time well spent crafting and creating beautiful things together!

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