This post is sponsored by Plaid Enterprises.

Public service announcement: do not throw away your empty wrapping paper tubes this holiday – save them for this craft! You’re bound to have at least a couple of empty rolls after wrapping gifts and with a quick coat of paint, they’re transformed into these festive Christmas candles. Not only are these candles the perfect upcycling project for this time of year, but kids will love decorating the candles with fun patterns that can then be used as a centerpiece on your table!

The flame is actually a golden cupcake paper that we Mod Podged in place to really look like glowing candlelight. If you saw our DIY Santa tags earlier this week, you’ll know how much we love getting inspired by vintage holiday products and this is another one to add to the list!

There are tons of amazing designs of retro wrapping paper and so many of the ones we spotted featured holiday candles. We loved the look of the light radiating away from the glowing candles so much that it inspired this project! Keep reading to see how to make your own set of upcycled candles.

• Mod Podge Gloss
• Folk Art Acrylic Paint
• Paintbrushes
• Circular foam pouncer
• Empty wrapping paper roll
• Scrap corrugated cardboard
• Scissors
• Craft knife
• Gold cupcake papers

Step 1
Use a craft knife to cut your empty wrapping paper roll into various lengths, keeping the edges as even as possible. You can also use empty paper towel rolls for this, but we found that wrapping paper rolls tend to be a bit thicker and sturdier so are easier to work with. Paint each piece a solid color and set aside to dry.

Step 2
Once the base coat is dry, use contrasting paint colors to add fun details and shapes onto the candles. Paint vertical or horizontal stripes, mini candy canes and holly, or use a foam pouncer to create perfectly even polka dots. Whatever pattern you pick, let dry completely.

Step 3
In the top edge of each candle, use scissors to snip two little slots directly opposite each other. They should only be about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch deep and about as wide as a piece of cardboard or slightly narrower.

Step 4
Time to make the flame feature for the candles. Trace a round object (like a drinking glass) onto a piece of corrugated cardboard. Make sure that the object you trace is slightly wider than the diameter of the candle, otherwise, it won’t sit nicely later. Cut out the circle and make as many as needed so that there is one for each candle.

Step 5
Paint the circles with white and yellow paint. Let dry.

Step 6
Flatten and fold a golden cupcake paper in half. Cut out a flame shape and use a little Mod Podge to adhere to the center of each circle. Then use contrasting paint to add lines radiating away from the flame, as if it’s glowing. Let dry and then set into the slot of each candle. If they fit snugly you can leave them as is. If you want them to be a little more secure, you can also add a dab of hot glue to lock it in place.

Happy crafting!