There’s something magical about decorating with candles at Christmas. Whether you use candles in a gorgeous table centrepiece, styled them on a mantel or create a glowing Christmas vignette, pillar candles are one of those simple decorating staples that instantly bring warmth and create a festive atmosphere.
With a little creativity, you can take a regular pillar candle and turn it into something extra festive and fabulous. From native eucalyptus candle wreaths to modern Advent displays and coastal Christmas styling, we’ve rounded up 12 festive DIYs using pillar candles to inspire your decorating this year.
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1. Create a snowy ceramic candle tray
An easy Christmas styling idea you can pull together in minutes is a snowy Christmas scene. Start with a shallow ceramic platter or oversized serving dish and add a thin layer of coarse salt to mimic the look of snow. Then arrange pillar candles of varying heights on heat-resistant holders to create the focal point.
For a Nordic-inspired look, nestle a few ceramic houses around the candles. Or take a more natural approach with pinecones and sprigs of greenery. There are so many ways you can make this idea your own, just be sure to keep any flammable decorations safely away from the candles.
Styling tip: odd-numbered groupings feel more balanced to the eye so try arranging 3 or 5 candles at different heights. You can also fragrance the salt, which is one of our favourite hacks to make your home smell like Christmas.
2. Make frosted glass candle hurricanes
Turn plain glass candle hurricanes into festive, winter-inspired decor with this easy DIY. Using heat-safe hurricane holders with plenty of space around your pillar candles, apply glass frosting spray to the outside according to the manufacturer’s directions. Once lit, the frosted glass will softly diffuse the candlelight to create a beautiful glow.
You could frost the entire glass for a minimalist look or use painter’s tape or stencils to create your own designs. For example, in the image below they’ve used stars, but you could use any festive motif or take a more trending approach with bows or stripes.
We love this idea grouped down a Christmas table or styled along a console. Vary the height and size of your hurricanes for added interest and keep the surrounding decorations well clear of the candles.
3. Dress flameless candles with velvet ribbon
Speaking of bows, velvet ribbons are still having a big moment in Christmas styling. An easy way to elevate a simple flameless candle is to wrap a velvet ribbon around it and tie it into a bow. Tip: use double-sided tape to keep it in place and trim the bow ends on an angle for a neater finish.
Burgundy creates a richer traditional look, while olive or forest green feels more understated. Chocolate and rust tones suit interiors with timber furniture and earthy finishes. Use battery-operated candles for this DIY. Ribbon should never touch or wrap around a candle you plan to light.
4. Make a eucalyptus candle ring
Eucalyptus feels especially at home in Australian Christmas styling. Start with a small wreath base that leaves a generous opening in the centre, then attach fresh or preserved stems until you’ve created the fullness you want.
Place a flameless pillar candle inside the ring. The eucalyptus can remain fresh and green at first, then soften into a silvery tone as it dries.
One arrangement is enough for a coffee table or side table. On a longer dining table, repeat smaller versions rather than building one oversized centrepiece.
5. Build a mini Christmas village
Create a small village scene with white flameless pillars in different heights. Arrange simple ceramic houses in front so the candlelight glows behind their roofs and windows.
A deep windowsill, hallway console or sideboard gives the display enough room without making it feel crowded. Leave gaps between the houses rather than filling every centimetre.
Warm-white LEDs usually give the most cohesive finish if the houses contain their own lights. Avoid mixing icy blue LEDs with warm candlelight unless you want a deliberately cooler look.
6. Create a modern advent display
Four pillar candles are enough for a clean, contemporary Advent arrangement. Place each candle on a ceramic holder and group them on a rectangular stone or metal tray.
Instead of attaching numbers directly to the candles, use small ceramic tags or timber markers placed in front. Light an additional candle on each Sunday of Advent.
Keep the surrounding surface simple. The repeated candle shapes already give the display a strong visual rhythm.
7. Use Christmas baubles as a decorative base
Leftover baubles from the tree can give a flameless candle display a completely different look. Fill a wide decorative bowl with ornaments, then place a flat platform in the centre so the candle remains stable above them.
Use baubles in one colour family for a more sophisticated look. If you have a mishmash of older mixed ornaments, you could paint them for an affordable Christmas styling hack.
This idea suits an entry console or sideboard where the arrangement can have some height without interfering with conversation across a dining table.
8. Rework the cinnamon candle idea
Cinnamon-wrapped candles are a Christmas DIY classic, bringing beautiful natural texture and fragrance into your home. But rather than placing dry cinnamon sticks around a burning candle, we suggest recreating the look with a flameless pillar candle.
Simply arrange cinnamon sticks vertically around the outside of your candle and secure them with natural twine or ribbon. For a little extra detail, you could tuck a small sprig of greenery or add a decorative bell or Christmas ornament. As well as looking festive, the cinnamon sticks will also add a beautiful natural fragrance to your home.
9. Turn a stone offcut into a candle base
Ok, this next idea is a personal fave! A leftover stone tile, paver or benchtop offcut makes a gorgeous base for pillar candles. Travertine brings a soft, textured finish, while marble feels more polished. Richly coloured stone varieties, such as deep burgundy or Verde green, are trending and particularly festive.
If you are using an unfinished offcut, smooth out any sharp edges before bringing it indoors and add felt pads underneath to protect timber surfaces.
Group 2 or 3 candles on top and leave enough space between them for safe burning. After Christmas, you can use the stone base as part of your everyday styling.
10. Create a mossy forest bowl
If you love nature-inspired styling, this next idea could be for you. Bring a touch of enchanted forest stying to your Christmas decor with a mossy candle bowl. Start with a low bowl, fill it with preserved moss and nestle a flameless pillar candle in the centre.
From there, you can personalise the bowl to suit your festive styling. For example, you could add a miniature Christmas scene, add 1 or 2 Nordic style Christmas trees or sprinkle a few pinecones or faux mushrooms. Just don’t overcrowd the bowl because the moss should be the star of the arrangement.
Be aware, preserved moss is flammable so only use a battery-operated candle.
11. Style a coastal Australian Christmas display
Love a more coastal inspired Christmas display? Using shells, faux coral or drift wood with pillar candles instantly creates the look. This display often looks best when you use a cluster of candles, and you can buy pillar candles in bulk to keep the sizes and tones consistent.
Or if you plan to mix in dried foliage, like pampas, use flameless candles. A small amount of fresh greenery can bring in a festive note without pushing the arrangement towards a traditional red-and-green scheme.
12. Build a layered Christmas mantel
A mantel or long sideboard gives you enough width to play with candle height. Spread flameless pillars across the surface and vary their spacing so the arrangement feels relaxed rather than perfectly symmetrical.
Run greenery behind the candles instead of winding it tightly around them. A small stone riser can lift one or two pillars and give the display more depth.
Flameless candles are the sensible choice here because Christmas garlands often contain dry or artificial materials. You can switch the whole display on each evening without worries about open flame near the foliage.
We hope we’ve offered some new ways you could style your home this festive season. You may like to try a few ideas from the list. If you do, be sure to tag us when you share a pic online or email it to us. We always love seeing how you translate ideas from Style Curator and make them your own!
