Winter candle holders create warmth, texture, and a welcoming glow. You don’t need expensive pieces to make a cozy display. Each DIY idea below is approachable, budget-friendly, and visually striking.
1. Frosted Glass Jar Holders

Use mason jars or small glass containers. Spray lightly with frosted glass spray for a wintery finish. Place tea lights or votives inside. Surround with pine sprigs, berries, or small ornaments. Frosted jars soften candlelight and create a magical glow. Inexpensive and reusable, they’re perfect for indoor tables or mantels. Keep jars in clusters for impact.
2. Pinecone Wrapped Candles

Wrap the base of pillar candles with twine and attach small pinecones. Secure with glue dots or string. Add a sprig of evergreen for seasonal detail. Place the candle on a wooden slice or tray. The combination of natural textures and soft light feels inviting. Pinecones are free or cheap, making this a low-cost way to elevate candles.
3. Tea Light Snowflake Holders

Use small glass votives. Attach paper or adhesive snowflakes around the outside. Place tea lights inside. The snowflake patterns cast delicate shadows when lit. This creates a cozy, wintery ambiance. You can DIY snowflakes from scrap paper or purchase stickers. Arrange several together on a tray or along a mantel for a soft glow.
4. Birch Bark Candle Cups

Wrap small pillar candles in birch bark or faux bark strips. Secure with twine or ribbon. Place on wooden slices or trays. Birch bark adds rustic texture and highlights the candle’s glow. This approach works well for rustic, farmhouse, or natural winter décor. It’s affordable and adds warmth to any tabletop or shelf.
5. Snow-Dusted Candle Jars

Lightly spray jars with faux snow. Place a candle inside. Add pinecones, small ornaments, or greenery around the base. Snow-dusted jars look frosty and seasonal. Cheap jars and spray give high-impact winter styling without expense. Place in clusters for a layered effect, perfect for dining tables, sideboards, or mantels.
6. Cinnamon Stick Candle Rings

Bundle cinnamon sticks into small rings. Place around the base of pillar or votive candles. Add twine for texture and tie in greenery or small berries. Cinnamon adds scent and visual interest. Affordable and simple to DIY. Cluster several together for a striking centerpiece or mantel arrangement. Keeps things natural and cozy.
7. Mini Evergreen Wreath Holders

Create tiny wreaths from mini evergreen branches or faux picks. Place candles inside the wreaths. Use votives or small pillars. This adds seasonal greenery and frames the candle beautifully. Keep wreaths tight around the base so the flame is visible. Perfect for tabletops, mantels, or entryway displays. Affordable, natural, and reusable.
8. Metallic Tin Votives

Repurpose small tin containers as votives. Punch holes in snowflake or star patterns for light to shine through. Add tea lights inside. Metallic tins reflect the candlelight, giving a warm, shimmering effect. Affordable and DIY-friendly. Cluster multiple holders together for layered winter glow.
9. Layered Wooden Slice Holders

Stack thin wooden slices to create height variations. Place candles of different sizes on top. Add pinecones or berries around the base. Layering adds dimension and texture. Simple, rustic, and visually interesting. Wood slices can be sourced cheaply or DIYed from branches. Perfect for tabletops or mantels.
10. Glass Bottle Candle Holders

Repurpose glass bottles as candle holders. Remove labels and clean thoroughly. Use taper candles or slim votives. Add twine or small greenery around the neck for seasonal charm. Bottles come in various shapes and sizes, giving each holder unique character. Affordable, eco-friendly, and stylish for winter décor.
11. Frosted Ornament Candle Cups

Glue or arrange small frosted ornaments around the base of votive candles. Use a shallow tray to keep everything contained. Adds color, shimmer, and a playful winter vibe. Ornaments can be inexpensive or recycled from past seasons. Safe with battery candles. Perfect for mantel or dining table arrangements.
12. Twine-Wrapped Glass Holders

Wrap twine around small votives or jars. Tuck a sprig of pine or berries inside the wrap. Place candles inside for soft light. Adds natural texture and winter charm. Twine is affordable, and greenery can be sourced cheaply. Group in clusters for a full centerpiece. Works well for tables, shelves, or sideboards.
13. Snow Globe Candle Holders

Create snow globe candle holders using jars. Add miniature winter trees, faux snow, and a small votive candle. Place on wooden slices or trays. The glow reflects off the “snow,” creating magical lighting. Materials are inexpensive and reusable. Fun for family or party décor. Place several together for layered winter warmth.
14. Ice-Colored Glass Votives

Use pale blue or white frosted votives for icy winter tones. Arrange in clusters along the table or mantel. Layer with small greenery or pinecones for contrast. The cool color palette complements winter décor. Affordable frosted votives or DIY spray-painted jars work well. Subtle, elegant, and cozy.
15. Bark-Wrapped Candles

Wrap pillar candles in birch bark or bark-inspired paper. Secure with twine or ribbon. Place on trays or wooden slices. Adds rustic natural texture and a winter feel. Easy to DIY and inexpensive. Combine with pinecones or greenery for layered styling. Works on mantels, dining tables, or side tables.
16. Floating Candle Bowls

Fill shallow bowls with water. Add floating candles and a few small evergreen sprigs or berries around the edge. Creates reflective, soft light. Simple and elegant centerpiece option. Bowls can be reused for other seasons. Safe with battery tea lights or candles in shallow water. Adds a wintery, peaceful ambiance.
17. Glitter-Dusted Pinecones

Coat pinecones with glitter or faux snow spray. Place around candles on a tray or plate. Adds sparkle and winter texture. Pinecones are cheap and easy to source. Layering several sizes creates depth. Works well with neutral or metallic candles. Simple, festive, and cozy centerpiece option.
18. Mini Jar Luminaries

Cut winter shapes like stars or trees from paper and attach to jars. Place a candle inside. When lit, the cut-outs cast patterned shadows. Affordable and DIY-friendly. Can be scattered along mantels or dining tables. Adds whimsical charm without bulk. Simple shapes make it easy to create multiple holders quickly.
19. Evergreen Cone Holders

Use large pinecones or faux cones to hold small candles. Place on trays or directly on the mantel. Combines natural textures with candlelight. Affordable and reusable. Can be combined with small sprigs of evergreen or berries. Provides vertical interest and adds cozy winter warmth.
20. Ribbon-Tied Candle Jars

Tie ribbons around votive jars or small candle holders. Add sprigs of pine, berries, or tiny ornaments tucked into the bow. Adds charm and texture. Inexpensive and easy to DIY. Can use leftover holiday ribbons. Works well for mantels, tabletops, or sideboards. Group for visual impact.
21. Layered Tray Display

Use a shallow tray as a base. Arrange candles of different sizes, add pinecones, berries, or sprigs of evergreen. Layer items to create depth. The tray keeps elements contained and portable. Affordable and reusable. Works for tables, mantels, or window sills. Provides cohesive winter warmth with minimal effort.
22. Frosted Mason Jar Lanterns

Lightly frost mason jars and place tea lights inside. Arrange in groups for a layered look. Add small pinecones or greenery around the jars. Frosted jars diffuse candlelight beautifully. Budget-friendly and versatile. Works for table décor, mantels, or entryway displays. Simple DIY with high visual impact.
23. Citrus and Candle Combo

Place pillar or votive candles on a tray. Surround with thinly sliced citrus and small evergreen sprigs. Adds color, texture, and a fresh scent. Citrus can be replaced as needed. Affordable, simple, and adds warmth and life to winter décor. Great for dining tables or sideboards.
24. Snow-Dusted Branch Votives

Add frosted or white-painted branches beside votives. Scatter small pinecones or snowflake accents. Creates layered winter texture with soft candle glow. Affordable and easy to assemble. Works for tabletops, mantels, or entryway décor. Subtle, cozy, and visually appealing winter lighting.
Conclusion
DIY winter candle holders bring warmth, texture, and cozy glow to your space. Using affordable materials like mason jars, pinecones, greenery, or frosted accents, you can create inviting displays for tables, mantels, or sideboards. Cluster elements, vary heights, and combine natural and metallic textures for maximum visual appeal. These ideas make your home feel winter-ready, stylish, and welcoming with minimal effort.

Lily Summers is a digital artist and creative storyteller who loves bringing colorful characters to life. With a passion for cartoons, fan art, and playful sketches, she inspires others to explore their imagination through art. When she’s not sketching, you’ll find her dreaming up new ideas for CraftedWizard.com to spark creativity in every artist. 🌈✨