Illuminate your holiday season with these DIY Paper Roll Candles! Turn an empty toilet paper roll into a stunning piece of holiday decor with just hot glue and paint.
These handmade faux candles are super simple to create and budget-friendly, made from recycled materials and affordable dollar store supplies. We love how these candles bring a haunted mansion feel! They make a perfect addition to your fall mantel decor or can be the highlight of your Halloween party centerpiece.
How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Candle
These paper roll candles are a fun and simple DIY craft! Transform a recycled toilet paper roll into homemade decor perfect for Halloween or Christmas.
Materials:
- Toilet paper roll
- Battery-operated tealight candle
- Hot glue sticks
- Acrylic paint (white or your preferred color)
Equipment:
- Glue gun
- Paintbrush
Instructions:
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Collect all the materials and tools you’ll need for the project: a toilet paper roll, a battery-operated tealight candle, hot glue sticks, acrylic paint, a glue gun, and a paintbrush.
Step 2: Add Glue to the Paper Roll
Determine how far down your flameless tealight will sit inside the paper roll. Then, apply a generous amount of hot glue around the inside rim of the paper roll where the candle will rest. This will help secure the tealight in place.
Use the hot glue gun to create a line of glue at the point where the tealight will sit inside the paper roll. This will form a ledge for the candle to rest on securely. Let the glue cool and harden before proceeding to the next step.
Start at the top of the paper roll and use the hot glue gun to make glue drips along the outside of the roll. Let the glue naturally drip down to create a realistic candle effect. You can vary the length and size of the drips for a more authentic look. Allow the glue to cool and harden before moving on
Keep adding glue drips as you work your way around the entire roll.
Once the first layer of glue has dried, add a second layer over the top. This will give the candle more dimension and help fill in any gaps, making the drips look more realistic.
Allow the glue to drip down naturally, then let it dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Step 3: Paint the Paper Roll Candle
Once the glue is fully dry, use a paintbrush to apply paint to the outside of the paper roll. Spread the paint evenly, covering as much of the candle as possible. Let the paint dry completely before proceeding.
Apply a second coat of paint, focusing on the areas where the glue drips are located. Angle your brush carefully to ensure full coverage of the glue, giving the candle a smooth and even look. Let the paint dry completely before moving on.
Paint the inside of the top of the paper roll, about 1-1/2 inches down, to give it a finished look. Allow this layer to dry, and if necessary, add a third coat of paint for full coverage. Let it dry completely before continuing.
Once the paint is dry, turn on a battery-operated tealight candle and carefully insert it into the base of the paper roll.
Your paper roll candle is complete!
Helpful Tips:
- The more glue applied to one spot, the more it will drip. High-temperature glue guns create thinner and longer drips, while low-temperature glue guns produce thicker “wax” drips.
- For a longer-lasting DIY candle, consider using PVC pipe for the candle base instead of a paper roll.
conclusion
These paper roll candles are a fun, easy, and budget-friendly way to add a unique touch to your home decor for Halloween, Christmas, or any special occasion. By repurposing a toilet paper roll, you can create a realistic, charming faux candle with simple materials and a bit of creativity. Customize them with your favorite colors and styles, and enjoy the cozy, flickering glow of a battery-operated tealight!
