wax roll on stick

DIY PAPER ROLL CANDELS

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!

ORANGE COOKIES WITH SWEET ORANGE GLAZE

These tender, buttery orange cookies are made from scratch, infused with fresh orange zest and juice, and topped with a sweet orange glaze. Their nostalgic, old-fashioned flavor will transport you straight to your grandma’s kitchen!

INGREDIENTS

For the Cookies:

  • 2½ cups (300 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (198 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons orange zest
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • 1 egg

For the Sweet Orange Glaze:

  • 1½ cups (170 g) powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • Fresh orange juice (to desired consistency)

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  • Make the Cookies:
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
    • In a small bowl, combine the sugar and orange zest. Rub the zest into the sugar with your fingers until it’s fully incorporated.
    • Using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream together the butter and the orange-zest sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
    • Add the egg and fresh orange juice, mixing until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
    • Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. If the dough feels too soft, refrigerate for up to 30 minutes.
  • Shape and Bake the Cookies:
    • Scoop the dough using a medium cookie scoop or about 2 tablespoons at a time. Roll into balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
    • Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned, and the centers are still pale.
    • Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  • Make the Sweet Orange Glaze:
    • In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, orange zest, and enough orange juice to achieve your preferred glaze consistency. For thicker glaze, use less juice; for thinner, add more.
  • Glaze the Cookies:
    • Spread the glaze over the cooled cookies and let them set at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
  • Store:
    • Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, separated by wax paper to prevent sticking.

NOTES

  • For a different flavor twist, you can substitute the orange zest and juice with lemon, lime, or even grapefruit.
  • If you love the combination of orange and chocolate, add 1 cup of mini chocolate chips to the dough.
  • Make-Ahead (Refrigerate Dough): Refrigerate dough, covered, for up to 2 days. Let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before scooping.
  • Make-Ahead (Freeze Dough): Scoop dough into balls and freeze on baking sheets until solid. Then transfer to a zip-top bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time.
  • Make-Ahead (Freeze Baked Cookies): Freeze fully baked, cooled, and iced cookies (ensure the icing has fully set) by placing them on a baking sheet, freezing until solid, and transferring to an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Nutrition (per cookie):

  • Calories: 180 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 26g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Fat: 7g
    • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 27mg
  • Sodium: 28mg
  • Potassium: 38mg
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Vitamin A: 250 IU
  • Vitamin C: 1.7mg
  • Calcium: 13mg
  • Iron: 0.6mg