DIY Winter Candle Holders Using Recycled Glass Jars

by shilpidea
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October 16, 2026, 10:10 am
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Empty glass jars and craft supplies beside an arrow pointing to lace-wrapped jars with jute bows, greenery, and glowing LED candles.

Soft lighting can make a winter evening feel more welcoming, especially when it comes from something you’ve made yourself. A few empty food jars are enough to start a small seasonal display.

These winter candle holders combine ivory lace, natural jute twine, and small artificial evergreen sprigs. Battery-operated LED tea lights provide the glow, while removable decorations let you reuse the jars afterward.

Follow the steps below to prepare your glass, attach the details, and arrange a cozy display for a shelf, sideboard, or dining table.

Table of Contents

Gather Your Glass Jars and Winter Craft Supplies

For a three-jar arrangement, gather:

Three clean, empty glass food jars
Ivory lace ribbon, approximately 1–1½ inches wide
Natural jute twine
Double-sided craft tape suitable for fabric
Scissors
Three small artificial evergreen sprigs
Three battery-operated LED tea lights
An optional shallow tray and two pinecones

Choose jars with flat bases and openings wide enough to insert and retrieve the lights comfortably. Similar jar sizes create a coordinated group, although a slightly taller jar can add variety. Test that each LED light fits before decorating.

Clean the Jars and Check the Glass

Remove the lids and labels, then wash the jars with dish soap and warm water. Let them dry completely inside and out. If adhesive remains, use a label-removal product according to its directions, then wash away any residue.

Check the rims and bases for chips or cracks, and leave damaged jars out of the project. Stand each jar on your display surface to make sure it sits steadily.

Before choosing your finishing details, browse these jar decoration ideas for other ways to reuse the containers.

Wrap an Ivory Lace Band Around Each Jar

Wrap lace around the lower, straight-sided portion of a jar. Leave approximately ½ inch of overlap, then cut the strip. Measure each jar individually if their widths differ.

Place a small piece of suitable double-sided craft tape between the overlapping lace ends, joining the ribbon to itself. Press firmly and turn the seam toward the back. The band should sit snugly without stretching the lace.

Keep most of the glass uncovered so the light remains visible. For a more festive variation, take color inspiration from these Christmas jar decorations.

Tie a Jute Bow and Add Faux Greenery

Wind twine around the jar’s neck two or three times, leaving enough at both ends for a small bow. Slip the stem of a short artificial evergreen sprig beneath the loops, against the outside of the glass.

Tie the bow firmly enough to hold the sprig, then trim the loose twine ends. Keep the greenery beside the neck rather than across the opening, so you can still reach the light.

Repeat the same details on the remaining jars. Matching twine also pairs naturally with handmade jute ornaments elsewhere in the room.

Add LED Lights and Arrange Your Winter Candle Holders

Switch on each LED tea light and place it flat inside a jar. Leave the interiors free of loose filler so the lights remain easy to remove.

Arrange the jars on a shallow tray, leaving space between them. Add two pinecones near the ends, then check the display from a seated position if it’s going on a dining table. These table centerpiece ideas offer more arrangement inspiration.

Use battery-operated lights only. Keep the finished display away from real flames, heaters, and table edges. Secure battery compartments and keep loose batteries away from children and pets.

If the lace slips: Move it onto a straighter part of the jar and shorten the overlap slightly. Test the tape on a scrap first; very open lace may need a small securing stitch instead.

If the greenery rotates: Shorten the sprig and tuck its stem beneath another twine loop. Keep the decoration light rather than adding a heavy pick.

After winter: Switch off and remove the lights. Follow their instructions for battery storage, then untie the bows and remove the lace before washing the jars. Store the dry decorations together without crushing the greenery.

More Handmade Winter Decorations to Try

A small jar display can be the starting point for a coordinated seasonal corner. Repeat its cream ribbon, green accents, or natural twine in another project, while leaving enough space for each piece to stand out. These Shilpidea guides offer more container decorations, rustic details, and tabletop arrangements to explore with supplies you may already have.