Truth be told, I didn’t know the word “chamberstick” before this project and blog post came about. You see, I stumbled up one, and then another chamberstick in the span of a single weekend- at two different thrift stores. I purchased them both thinking that I would figure out a project for these “old time-y candlesticks with handles” (which is what I Googled).
First I found this chamberstick…
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
And then this similar fella’ shortly thereafter.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Even though it was May/June when I found them, I couldn’t shake the idea that they reminded me (kinda-sorta) of tabletop tree stand. You know, for a small Christmas tree.
So, I decided to bring my idea to life, realizing that not only would they hold tabletop trees, but wrapped candy, as well!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Holiday decor AND a Christmas candy dish, all in one! Definitely and upcycling experiment worth trying.
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Using a Chamberstick as a Tabletop Tree Stand
To bring my idea to life, I needed to figure out how to prop up a tabletop Christmas tree inside each chamberstick candle holder. I didn’t want to use glue or anything permanent, thinking long term towards storage and such.
After mulling over options, I decided that wine corks from my never-ending stash would be perfect!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Having selected two very different desk Christmas trees (one vintage plastic tree and one modern tinsel tree), I decided to paint the chambersticks in a coordinating colors.
I used a bright poppy red to match the traditional green tree and a pretty aqua to pop against the silver tinsel tree.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
While the chambersticks dried, I cut the wine corks in half (using the red knife in my favorite set) so that they would nestle down completely in each candle holder.
Then, I drilled a hole in each cork in order to hold up their respective tabletop trees.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
I made sure to compare drill bits against the bottoms of my tabletop Christmas trees before actually drilling.
Transformation of a Chamberstick Candle Holder
And because I couldn’t leave well enough alone, I painted each half-cork. I used plain old craft paint in dark green and silver to best match the mini Christmas trees!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
This is seriously the easiest project, I’m telling you!
And that was it! I propped the small tabletop Christmas trees up in each chamberstick and admired my work!
The classic plastic tree worked perfectly in the red chamberstick, and the tinsel tree paired up beautifully in the aqua one. Aren’t they adorable?
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
But let’s not forget the best (and tastiest) part- the wrapped candy or chocolates!
And yes, I would only use wrapped candies in these since the paint itself is not food-safe.
I found some Dove chocolates that looked like wrapped gifts- PERFECTION- as well as my favorite holiday Hershey kisses. I did my best to pile them up in each chamberstick without eating too many of them!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Such a perfect Christmas candy dish and base for a tabletop tree! All from chambersticks that were outdated and donated to a thrift store.
Chamberstick as a Christmas Candy Dish
Talk about meant-to-be, right? And it couldn’t be easier- just paint, corks, and a drill were needed, really. Such an excellent way to repurpose older wooden candle holders or chambersticks into festive Christmas decor.
Festive Christmas decor WITH CHOCOLATE, let’s not forget.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Which one is your favorite? The classic green and red version in the red chamberstick?
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Or the funky, retro aqua version for the mini aluminum tree?
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
And now that the photos have been snapped, I can eat a few of those chocolates- they’ve been teasing me for days!
If you enjoyed this upcycling idea for festive Christmas decor, then you’ll love these waterless snow globes in vintage glass jars!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Craft on!
S
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Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
Love this idea!1 So cute!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Thank you, Debbie!
LOVE what I see! One of your best ideas ever. Your creativity & ability to
see new purposes for things is amazing! And I’m so glad you’ve chosen
to share that. My favorite is the retro aqua one, by far!! And the gift wrapped candy is an inspiration. Love the teeny retro colored ornaments, too.
Thank you so very much, MaryEllen. I worked against the clock to get the project finished so I could publish it before Christmas! 😀
I didn’t know that this style of candle holder is called a chamberstick. You found a great use for them!
Thanks, Paula!! I was glad that Google taught me what it was called before I published the blog post, LOL.
Love those! I haven’t noticed any in the thrift stores but I will look closer now. Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Lisa! Merry Christmas to you, too. 🙂
This is such a cute idea. I have the identical green tree in my living room right now, in addition to a vintage tinsel tree with tiny ornaments like yours. I think that I need to look for some chambersticks now to complete MY display…and some chocolates too 🙂
How funny that you have the same tree!! It was a thrift store find earlier this year. 🙂
How perfect, adding candy takes them to a higher level…though, when you do need a candle (think power outage) these type candlesticks are the handiest and best to have on hand, speaking from many incidents of power outages.
Well, that’s the beauty of it- they can still be used as candleholders because the trees are permanent!
I adore them both – another amazing idea, Sarah. If I had to choose, the shiny tinsel tree and bright colored ornaments speaks to me – which is strange because my house is decorated more in the red traditional style.
Thanks, Marie- and isn’t that funny? Maybe you need to have a little funky pastel Christmas corner somewhere in your house. 😉
I know, right! Need to work on that for next year.
What an adorable idea. The only chamber-sticks I’ve see were smaller than the ones you found. They were perfect for your ingenious idea.
Thank you, Sharon!
I LOVE the red one in particular. Fantastic idea. Your blog/site rocks! I just stumbled across it a few weeks ago and subscribed. Really enjoying your ideas and projects.
I’m so happy to hear that, Beverly!!! Thank you and welome, welcome, welcome! 🙂
+i like both trees but I think I love the Dove chocolates the best; haven’t seen them as gifts! Very clever idea–another thing to add to my look-for list. I see glass chambersticks quite often but not wooden ones! I’m so glad I don’t have to light my way to bed with a candle!
Right?? Hurray for small flash lights or cell phones to light the way, LOL!
How adorable these trees are. Merry Christmas !
Thank you so much, Shay!
You are just so clever!! That is an adorable project, now I have something else to look for at the thrift store!!
Thank you so very much, Carole!
I am in awe of how your brain works. These are so cute and fun.
Thank you, Jen- trust me, it’s a jumbled mess up in there! 😉
This is such a cute idea – I’ll have to be on the lookout for these in my junking travels now! I have 2 small dollar store trees that would be perfect for this. BUT… my burning question is – where in the world did you get that cute tinsel tree – it seriously looks vintage (and vintage ones are hard to find)?
Thanks, girl!! It’s actually a modern one, albeit a handful of years old now. I found it on clearance at The Paris Market in Savannah, GA…it was on clearance because the glue that held it in its silver stand had broken free…which ended up being a blessing in disguise for me when it came to this project, LOL!
So CUTE!!!! My favorite is the green and red. Yes, I am a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas. Yet my mid-century heart. tugged at the aqua lol. Not enough room in my house for 2 different sectors. Have a very merry Christmas and a blast new year.
Thanks, Charleen- Happy Holidays to you, as well!
These are adorable. You are very clever to have seen that they would make little tabletop tree stands. I have an old brass chamberstick and I love the idea of converting it into a tree stand. Thanks for the idea. Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much!! Happy holidays to you, as well. 🙂
Clever and Cute! I love the funky, retro one!
Thank you so very much!
These are adorable, Sarah & I love the tiny tinsel tree! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm–pinned!
Thanks, Cecilia!
Oh my goodness, this idea is fantastic! I love this idea. Very inventive. Thanks for sharing!
I love both trees.
Thank you, Maggie!
They are both so cute. I enjoy seeing the vintage tree and using those candle holders is pure genius.
Thank you, Barbara!
What a super cute idea! I love the bright colors especially the blue. I am going to have to keep an eye out for one of these.
Thank you so much!
I found the same tree in a thrift store, But where would I find the little tinsel tree, please?
I found it several years ago at a shop in Savannah, GA called Paris Market. Unfortunately, it may be hard to locate an exact replica!
Very cute ideas. love the red candy container.
Thank you!
I love the silver tinsel tree best, and the adorable ornaments! I keep trying to find them myself! And I had heard of chambersticks. Bedrooms were called bed chambers many years ago, and you would use the candle either there or on your way there. Snapshot of the past…. Thanks for sharing your projects!
Thank you so much- I never made the connection between bed chambers and chambersticks…and chamber pots, for that matter, too! But that makes perfect sense!