Last year, I brought you a super simple, last minute Halloween project that took no time at all to create- remember these creepers? Well, I’m doing it again this year with a new super simple project. This time, some Christmas window candles will get a reboot as creepy Halloween candles.
You know the kind of electric window candles I’m talking about, right? They are ALWAYS in the Christmas section at thrift stores.
I’m pretty sure it’s a thrift store requirement to have these Christmas window candles on their shelves. And in any number of versions (singles, triples, etc.).
And yes, this is not the first Halloween project I’ve made that started with something related to candles. Remember these floating ghosts that I made?
But anyway, back to the Christmas-decor-turned-Halloween-project at hand. With my Freaky-Friday-holiday project in mind, I gathered a handful of Christmas window candles for my upcycling idea.
You won’t believe how easy it is to transform the Christmas window candles into spooky Halloween decorations!
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Making the Halloween Candles
First, I grabbed my hot glue gun and “enhanced” the look of candle wax drips near the light bulb socket.
You can also practice on a stick from the backyard first, just to get your technique down.
Pro Tip #1: the way you hold your electric window candle when adding hot glue is important, to keep it looking realistic! I found that holding the glue gun almost upside down under the candle (held at an angle) did the best job.
I also angled the candle as the glue hardened to get candle wax drips, sometimes waving it back and forth as the glue dried. Also, depending on the number of candles you have, make sure you have a handful of glue sticks. I went through about 3 or 4 sticks for my creepy candles.
Next, I carefully balled up some painters tape and stuck a small wad into the socket of each of my Halloween candles.
Then, I wrapped the end of the cord and plug. Why? Because I was going to spray paint them black and didn’t want to ruin the electrical components.
But if you don’t plan on plugging them in or they just don’t work anymore, then this probably isn’t a big deal.
Finally, I gathered some flame bulbs from various Etsy shops. Some of them worked, some of them didn’t, but that was ok!
I really just liked how they looked in the daylight and against the pitch black paint on my creepy candles.
My original plan was to just use classic orange Christmas light bulbs in my electric window candles. But these flame bulbs were SO MUCH BETTER.
Finally, I was done! My creepy candles for Halloween were complete and ready to be placed in my window!
Pro tip #2: You can spray paint the electric cord on your candles black, too, but I found this to be more difficult than it’s worth. Simply wrap your cords (or part of your cords, whichever portion may be visible in your display) with electrical tape to help them disappear!
Creepy Candles for Halloween
Now I was ready to create some Halloween vignettes with my creepy candles! Would you even know that these started out as Christmas window candles?
And nothing says spooky to me like my DIY “poison bottles” and a few faux creepy crawlies. Combined with my creepy candles, they make for a perfectly eerie Halloween display!
See? Isn’t that so simple? Such a great way to reuse those Christmas window candles in a fun new way for a totally different holiday!
And for a little less scary decor, these bandana pumpkins are as cute as it gets – and easy to make, too!
Plus, for a simple but spookier type of upcycle project, check out these Halloween figurines that I made, as well!
Craft on!
S
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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.
I like your spooky candles much better than the plastic holiday candles that I grew up with! Visiting from Vintage Charm.
Thank you!
Great idea for spooky candles. Didn’t you paint bird figures black one year too?
Not birds, but figurines in general- yes, I linked to that project right at the beginning of this post! 🙂
OMG! This is brilliant!!! You are a very clever girl!!!
Thank you so much, Cathy!
These look perfectly spooky to me!! Great tips too
Thanks, Kaycee!
Does anyone sale those vintage light bulbs anymore? If so where. Thank You.
I’m not sure- I found mine on Etsy! I may end up re-selling them, though, in my own shop.
Just a super fun idea!
Thanks, Carlene!
Wow, I love it! The poison bottles really add a lot to the display, but ugh, I can’t stand spiders…not even fake ones…they really creep me out. Love the candle makeovers! Those bulbs are perfect! Pinned
Thanks, Florence!!
Great idea! I’ll have to make a trip to the thrift store soon!
Thanks, Cherryl!
I stopped decorating for Halloween when we became empty nesters. These are pretty darn awesome, Sarah and have me wanting to add these on a window sill. Pinned to my Halloween Ideas Board.
Thanks, Marie!!
This is a fun make-over! Creepy!!! OOOoooOOOoooOOO (says the ghost)!!!
Thank you!
Definitely do not look Christmasy anymore!! Cool idea!
Thank you so very much!
What a great way to use those old candles, especially if they’re getting a little the worse for wear! And if they’re not going to be plugged in, we could probably simulate the bulbs with some paint on chandelier bulbs. I don’t decorate much for Halloween – I do have a vintage lighted ceramic jack olantern with a kitten peeking from it that I put up – aside from that it’s mostly fall stuff. I keep saying I’m going to do more, but then I get lazy, lol
Very, very true, Patty- and thank you!
Oh how I could use these at my annual Witches Tea. And to think I got rid of some a few years ago, darn it!
Darn!!! Don’t you hate it when that happens? But thank you so much, Barbara!
You nailed this. I love this idea
Thank you so very much, Ivory!
What an adorable Halloween project!
Thanks, Paula!
You are so right, you do see these candles at every thrift store. I love the spooky look you gave it.
Thank you!!
Lovely “spooky candles”. amazing idea.
Great use for these, Sarah! Thanks for sharing @Vintage Charm!
These are such a cute idea, I’m a sucker for anything Halloween or fall!
Thank you, Amanda- me, too!!
Love these!
Thanks, Laine!!
Wow! What a little black spray paint can do. Love your visions. 🙂
Thank you so much, Cathi!
Seriously, can I just live inside your brain for one day? You are so incredibly creative- these are very cool!
Hahaha, be careful what you wish for- it’s a quirky, bizarre place! 😉 (and THANK YOU so very much!)
This are really super cute and achievable. I enjoy how you repurpose items and your Halloween posts are incredibly well done.
Thank you, Leanna!
I absolutely love these! I hope you will come over and link up some of your fabulous Halloween posts at the Hauntingly Beautiful Decor Halloween Link Party at followtheyellowbrickhome.com. I am going to try to make these candles. Last year Michael’s had new replicas of these vintage bulbs and I bought some on clearance after Christmas. Thanks for sharing. Hope to see you at the party!
Boy is this a popular post, thought was never getting to comment, lol. Sure wish we lived closer so I could go to that market even if I didn’t win, would love to go. Nothing like that here (western CO.)
This is a great way to use those old candles instead of for Christmas. Guess am an old fuddy duddy as I like to put those candles dressed up in our windows at the holidays.
Leave it to you to think up a great way to make use of those window candles, they look fantastic dolled up for Halloween, especially with extra candle wax.
Happy week
Oh! They look fantastic! You did excellent work as always! Thank you for sharing at Sweet Inspiration Link Party 🙂
http://www.artdecorationcrafting.gr
Thank you, Christina!
Beautiful vignette and now I wish I hadn’t tossed my candles. The good part is now I have a reason to go to the thrift store. Those bulbs are perfect and we always enjoy the links you share each week.
Thank you, Sandra!
Your Halloween candles are adorable. Thank you for sharing at Snickerdoodle.
Thanks, Sharon!
I love these, Sarah! I’ve got a box of those old Christmas candles stored away. I need to dig them out and give them a Halloween makeover. Thanks for sharing such a fun idea. Pinning.
Thank you so very much, Beverly!
My goodness, the workers at the thrift must smell smoke when you come in, since that brain of yours is always cooking and thinking. Absolutely stinking clever, how many of those Xmas lights have I passed by without thinking of Halloween, though, to be fair, with kids grown, don’t decorate like I used to. Clever little witch!
Hahaha, as long as they don’t stop me from coming through the doors! 😉 Thank you so very much!
These are fantastic!
Thank you, Pamela!
What a fabulous idea! My mother in law just gave me a box of those..yuck!! But now I am so excited! Thank you for sharing!! Goning to get busy! I might even glue a spider or 2 on them, thank u!!
I’m almost jealous…I had SO much fun making these last year so I’m envious that you could to do it this year, LOL! Happy crafting, Rhonda- you will love them!
Can I purchase 6 Halloween candles?
Hi, Cheryl! I actually don’t mass produce my projects, but rather just make the ones I need for each blog post. And because this is a post from last year, they sold long ago. I’m sorry to disappoint, but I assure you that they are easy to make! Thank you for your interest- it is truly appreciated.
I usually find the bulbs at Walmart
Ohhh, that’s good to know! Thanks, Sandra!
Very cool love the slick black
What is used as the base? Looks like the candle is screwed into it.
Thanks much!
If you look at the ‘before’ pics at the beginning of the post, you’ll see that they came that way.