DIY Advent Candle Holder: A Modern Twist on the Four Candles

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An easy DIY advent candle holder idea that turns four white pots into an Advent arrangement. Find the full tutorial for making modern style Advent candle holders here.

One of the traditions that I really love about the Christmas season is starting off my decorations with a bit of Advent decor. I have created four candle centerpieces, Advent wreaths, and simple displays that helped the countdown to Christmas. There is something soothing in this Christmas Advent tradition. Lighting an extra candle each week and letting that little light be the reminder of how quickly time is passing and how close the new year already is.

This year’s Advent decoration came a bit like an afterthought. I kind of had already started with my Christmas crafting, and little decorations had crept in here and there. But it just didn’t feel right. Something was missing. I was missing something. So I rummaged through my stash and came up with a quick and easy way to make an Advent decoration with a modern twist.

Let’s see what I made.

How to Make a DIY Advent Candle Holder

Rummaging through my stash of decorating knick-knacks, I came across a small stack of white metal buckets. I bought them some time ago for a long-forgotten project that never came to a realization. I grabbed four buckets and put my thinking cap on.

They definitely needed a little something something…

And a little something they got.

Give the Pots Personality

With an ordinary permanent marker, I decorated my simple white pots into a modern-looking black & white set of decorated buckets. As you can see for yourself, my designs were exquisitely simple but effective. Four different designs that share a common theme make a nice personal and unique collection (that is far from perfectly executed and nevertheless quite pretty). All it took was a little patience, and my sharpie decorated pots were ready.

PS If you like the idea of using simple pots to hold your Advent decor. Check out my hanging Advent wreath, it stands in a numbered terracotta pot. Or maybe forgo the pots and use bottles instead, like I did in my four bottles Advent decoration.

Make It Movable (My Tables Are Workhorses)

Four different pots will be a centerpiece on my table. I know that anything I put on my table’s surface needs to be removable in an easy and quick fashion. My tables are workhorses. We eat, play, craft, read, and work at those tables. Anything decorative will be moved and pushed out of the way often.

That’s why I looked for and found this old tray that was perfect for holding my four Advent pots. One tray, one lift, and the whole Advent centerpiece moves aside. Dinner is served.

Add the Ring of Greenery

But that tray definitely needed a little something something…

And a little something it got.

From some evergreens I had stashed away, I quickly fashioned a green wreath. Luck had it that one of my metal rings was the perfect size for the round serving tray. So with some floral wire, I attached the greenery to the metal ring, and and the green frame for my candle holder was ready.

Set the Candles

Time to start thinking about the candles.

I filled the little buckets with clay granules. Because: A) they form a counterweight for the candle, B) I can nestle the candle in there easily, C) I can keep them moist, which is good for the moss that I am putting on top, D) I have them on hand. Sand or soil would have worked too.

Next step: add moss. I bought a little container of fresh moss at the garden center and used that to cover the buckets and the granules. I tried adding some decorations like mini Christmas ornaments. But removed them again for a simpler look.

Simple is good. I like simplicity.

The numbers story

Now for the most important question of the day. What do I use for numbers in my Advent Candle Holder?

Improvising on the go here.

I had these number paperclips in my stash forever. At first, I thought of using a bit of baker’s twine and hanging them on the candles. But that might turn into an unsafe situation quickly (I plan on actually burning those candles).

So then I thought, make a little plant marker with the numbers, maybe with a popsicle stick. Except I didn’t have any popsicle sticks.

Improvising here, people!

What I did have, was a stack of wooden spoons, left over from some party. I cut off the spoon handle, stuck it into the bucket, attached the paperclip, and voilà, my DIY advent candle holder was ready!

So simple to make. So fun to look at. So meaningful to light the first candle.

What do you think of my Advent wreath candle holder? Do you even know and follow the tradition of the four candles of Advent? I would love to hear about it in the comments.

If you’d like some more ideas for easy Advent decor, I’ve got you covered.

Pin this one for the Saturday you find yourself with four pots, a marker, and a Sunday to save. Future you, lighting the first candle, will be grateful.

Thank you for sharing my content!