Are you looking for a simple and charming DIY project to elevate your fall decor? Look no further! 

These easy pumpkin candleholders will add cozy vibes and warmth to your dining room table, coffee table, console tables, or even your holiday spread. Whether you choose real pumpkins from the grocery store or opt for fake ones, this is one of our step-by-step instructions that will guide you through the process of creating beautiful pumpkin candle holders that can be used year after year.

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What Can I Use to Hold Candles?

Use Jars and More to Hold Candles

Many items can be used to hold candles. For example, empty jars, mason jars, trays, a glass plate, a slice of wood, teacups, or even a charcuterie board especially for a centerpiece. Get the easy details to make your own! Think of all the possibilities, a hot chocolate bar, smores board, spice, and apple desserts.

Imagine how pretty this will be for a dining table, especially for Thanksgiving. Add small pumpkins, medium pumpkins, and fall foliage with a tea-light pumpkin candleholder. Even dried flowers from your garden, dried hydrangeas, real flowers from the grocery store, or fake flowers from Michaels craft store. Even natural elements such as pine cones, acorns, and nuts in the shell work great with these pumpkin candle holders.

During this time of year, candles add a touch of romance to a dining room table, console tables, lanterns, or even pumpkins. Whether these are real pumpkins or fake pumpkins from the craft store. You can even find a variety of small pumpkins at your local grocery store.

Pumpkins aren’t the only pieces that can be used to hold candles. Think about using oranges, green apples, red apples, pears, and artichokes to name a few. I often say nature gives us many gifts to use in our home decor during different seasons.

What Candles Are Safe For A Pumpkin?

When using pumpkins as candle holders, it’s essential to prioritize safety to prevent any potential fire hazards. Here are some types of candles that are safe to use with pumpkins:

1. Battery-operated LED candles: These are the safest option for pumpkin candle holders as they don’t produce an open flame. Battery-operated LED candles mimic the flickering glow of real candles without the risk of fire or melting the pumpkin.
2. Tea lights: If you prefer real candles, opt for small tea lights or votive candles. These are smaller in size and enclosed in metal or plastic containers, reducing the risk of direct contact with the pumpkin’s interior.  
3. Flameless votive and tea light candles: Similar to LED candles, these votive candles operate on batteries and provide a safe alternative to traditional candles. These are a great choice for dining tables for safety.
4. LED fairy lights: Tiny LED fairy lights or string lights can be safely placed inside a pumpkin to create a magical effect without any flames.

Best Candle Real Pumpkins

Tea lights or a pillar candle is a tried and true way to light a pumpkin.  Unfortunately, these will dry out the pumpkin and cause rot.  

Outdoor flickering flameless candles are readily available and are a safe a better choice.  

When Using Real Candles, It’s Crucial To Take Precautions:

• Always supervise the candles: Never leave lit candles unattended, especially inside a pumpkin.
• Use stable surfaces: Ensure the pumpkin is placed on stable, flat surfaces to prevent tipping.
• Keep away from flammable materials: Avoid placing the pumpkin near flammable objects, such as curtains or other decorations.
• Use a candle holder: Consider using a candle holder or votive cup inside the pumpkin to keep the flame contained.
• Avoid windy areas: If using a real candle outdoors, place the pumpkin in a sheltered area to protect the flames from wind gusts.
• Extinguish properly: When you’re finished using the candles, make sure to extinguish them properly. For real candles, use a candle snuffer or carefully blow them out.

By following these safety guidelines and choosing appropriate candles, you can enjoy the warm glow and cozy vibes of pumpkin candle holders without compromising safety. Remember, battery-operated LED candles and flameless options are the safest choices for worry-free autumn home decor.

Other Fun Ideas Pumpkin Candles

• Halloween Candle Holder: Make Halloween candle holders from empty coffee cans. Add a jack o lantern face with black paint or a black Sharpie. 
• Spider Pumpkin Candle Holder: With a little alteration baby pumpkins would make adorable spiders Halloween.  Paint mini pumpkins with orange paint to add contrast. Use a box cutter to make an opening for a black tea light candle. Using a hot glue gun, add a little bit of hot glue, and attach black pipe cleaners for spider legs.
• Pumpkin Vase: A large pumpkin or medium pumpkin will work best for this simple project. Make a pencil line around an empty coffee can or mason jar for the vase opening. Carefully cut the top of the pumpkin with a box cutter. Add the coffee can or mason jar to the center of the pumpkin. Add water and add fresh flowers from the grocery store. Use this on the dinner table or dining room table for the rest of the fall season.

When Using Real Candles, It’s Crucial To Take Precautions:

• Always supervise the candles: Never leave lit candles unattended, especially inside a pumpkin.
• Use stable surfaces: Ensure the pumpkin is placed on stable, flat surfaces to prevent tipping.
• Keep away from flammable materials: Avoid placing the pumpkin near flammable objects, such as curtains or other decorations.
• Use a candle holder: Consider using a candle holder or votive cup inside the pumpkin to keep the flame contained.
• Avoid windy areas: If using a real candle outdoors, place the pumpkin in a sheltered area to protect the flames from wind gusts.
• Extinguish properly: When you’re finished using the candles, make sure to extinguish them properly. For real candles, use a candle snuffer or carefully blow them out.

By following these safety guidelines and choosing appropriate candles, you can enjoy the warm glow and cozy ambiance of pumpkin candle holders without compromising safety. Remember, battery-operated LED candles and flameless options are the safest choices for worry-free autumn home decor.

What Color Combinations to Use?

Color Combinations to Use for Pumpkins

There are many paint color combinations to use for fake gourds and mini pumpkins.

This will continue to be an easy process. Think of nature when choosing colors. Pumpkins come in a variety of colors.

For example, dry brush dark avocado, and after it dries a bit add another layer of color. How about a lighter green to add more texture and a realistic look? Here’s an example, of this process to make these look like Heirloom gourds from the pumpkin patch.

How about using a grey/blue color this will look like a Cinderella pumpkin. These are beautiful but hard to find in NJ.

Another example is to use white paint and add dark green into the creases of the pumpkins for tea-light candle holders. Remember to always take a look at nature for inspiration.

Supplies Needed:

• Small pumpkins (fake or real) – Dollar Store, thrift store or flea market
• White craft paint (optional)
• Light brown wax or raw umber craft paint (optional)
• Small chip brush
• Small stencil brush
• Paper towel or rag
• Box cutter (be extremely careful)
• Flameless or add a tea light candle or taper candles
• Hot glue gun (optional)
• Spade drill bit
• Pencil (pencil line)

DIY Mini Pumpkin Candle Holders

Step 1: Remove The Stem And Make An Opening

Cover your work surface with craft paper or newspaper for easy cleanup.

Gently pull or twist out the stem from the mini pumpkins. 

If using real pumpkins, carefully cut off the base of the stem. Remember, to save the stems for future fall decor projects.

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Step 2: Create Space For The Candle

Place a tea light candle on top of the pumpkin and trace around it to make a pencil line. Use the box cutter to cut a hole along the traced line on the top of the pumpkin. 

For real pumpkins, carefully cut a whole using a box cutter.  

Remember to scoop out the pumpkin seeds, and consider saving them for roasting, they make a delicious and healthy snack!

Step 3 (Optional): Add Realistic Texture With Paint

To achieve a more realistic look, dry brush the pumpkins with white craft paint. Dip the tip of a small chip brush in the paint and wipe off the excess on a paper towel. Lightly drybrush the paint onto the pumpkins and let them dry for about 10 minutes. If this is your first time using this painting technique, no worries, I share another one of our step-by-step tutorials for a basket and a planter.

For more natural texture, use a small stencil brush to add light brown wax or raw umber craft paint to the creases and shadows. Blend the paint with a damp paper towel and wax with a lint-free rag to create depth and shadows, replicating the look of pumpkins from a pumpkin patch.

Step 4: Assemble The Pumpkin Candle Holders

Once the paint is dry, add a tealight candle into the hole created.  For a tall candle, use melted wax or a hot glue gun to add a little bit of hot glue on the base of the candle to secure into the hole.

Be sure to position the candle so it stands straight on top of the pumpkin.

Finally, how about adding these as centerpieces, scattered on a coffee table with other natural elements such as corn husks, gourds from the grocery store, mini pumpkins, dried artichokes, acorns, or bare branches from your backyard for the comfy and cozy vibes?

Display Ideas Pumpkin Candle Holder

1. These mini pumpkin taper candle holders can be a beautiful centerpiece on your dinner table or Thanksgiving table. 
2. Scatter them along a fall mantel with natural elements such as corn husks, dried artichokes, pinecones, acorns, or fresh flowers for cozy vibes.
3. These DIY pumpkin candle holders are perfect for your fall table and the rest of the fall season. These can also be with beautiful fall decorations throughout the season. 
4. With little alteration, you can also use gourds for this simple project. 

So, gather your supplies and get ready to bring the spirit of fall into your home decor with this fun pumpkin project. Your DIY mini pumpkin candle holders will add a touch of beauty and elegance to your holiday table, making this season extra special and memorable for you and your loved ones. 

I hope you enjoyed these helpful tips for this simple project for making easy pumpkin candle holders.

Happy Crafting!

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