How to Make Spooky-Easy Halloween Candle Holders
Updated: Mar. 20, 2019
Save some money and help out the environment this Halloween with these amazingly easy upcycled candle holders.
Halloween season means scary movies, trick-or-treating and spooky decorations. Beyond a pack of faux spider webs and few carved pumpkins, Halloween decorations to can get expensive, especially since they’re only up for a few weeks out of the year. DIY-ing a few frightening decorations is an easy way to save some money and add a unique touch when turning your home into a bona fide haunted house. These dripping wax candle holders do just that by creating a spooky atmosphere while putting leftover wine bottle to work. If drinking wine isn’t really your thing, check out these recipes that will help empty a bottle or two. Keep reading for the step-by-step instructions on how to make this easy decoration.
Here are even more DIY decorations that you can throw together in 30 minutes or less.
What you’ll need:
- Empty clear wine bottle (Order a case here.)
- Black, red and gray acrylic paint for glass
- Straw
- Knife
- Taper candle (make sure it isn’t a dripless candle)
Step 1: Prep the bottle
Thoroughly wash the inside and outside of the wine bottle. If the bottle’s label isn’t peeling off, let the bottle first soak in a sink full of warm water, a cup of white vinegar, ¼ cup of baking powder and a tablespoon of dish soap for about 30 minutes or so. The label should then come off cleanly, just rinse and let dry completely.
Step 2: Start Dripping
Alternating colors, squeeze paint down the inside neck of the bottle. To get the paint farther down and create some texture, insert a straw into the bottle and gently blow the paint down, or carefully shake the bottle. When you’ve achieved your desired coverage and texture, allow the paint to dry completely.
Tip: You can use any color of paint you’d like. If you’re throwing a witch themed party, consider using purple, black and green. Or have your bottle resemble candy corn with an orange, yellow and white paint scheme.
Step 3: Prep the candle
Carefully, trim the last inch and a half of the candle so that it will tightly fit in the wine bottle’s opening. Be sure to keep the candle on your work surface as you cut away from your body.
Step 4: Get melting
When the bottle is completely dry, insert the trimmed candle into the opening, light it and allow the wax to drip down the sides. If you’d like to speed the dripping process up, or want a lot of wax on your bottle, hold another lit candle to the side of the bottle, letting the excess wax drip down the candle and bottle.
Use this candle holder and a few of these no-carve pumpkin ideas to decorate your house this Halloween season.
Skull Deviled Eggs
So-Easy-It's-Spooky Bat Cake
This gorgeous dessert starts with a boxed cake mix. Then it’s an easy and magical trick to make the bat silhouette with cocoa. —Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota
Spooky Pretzel Bones
I hosted a party one Halloween and wanted to make pretzels to go with my beer cheese dip. Considering the holiday, I shaped the dough into bones. —Courtney Lentz, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Slithering Snake Roll
There’s nothing sinister about this snake. It’s filled with meat, sweet red pepper and cheese. You can paint the pizza dough any color or leave it plain.—Jaclyn Scanlan, Dayton, Ohio
Witches' Fingers
You don't need a cauldron to conjure these frightening fingers. They're a sweet-and-salty treat that's spooky easy to make. —Beth Tomkiw, Chief Content Officer, Taste of Home
Mummy-Wrapped Brie
You can assemble our baked Brie appetizer in advance and bake it right before the party. —Marion Lowery, Medford, Oregon
Witches' Brew
Stir up some Halloween beverages that are as bewitching as the rest of your menu. Omit the vodka for a nonalcoholic version so the kids can have some, too! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Roasted Pumpkin Nachos
I had previously made this dish with black beans and corn off the cob in the summer. Wanting to try it with fresh fall ingredients, I replaced the corn with roasted pumpkin—yum! It's also good with butternut squash. —Lesle Harwood, Douglassville, Pennsylvania
Juicy Bat Wings
These wings are guaranteed to have your guests licking their fingers clean! If desired, you can replace the seasonings listed in the recipe with 1/4 cup purchased blackened seasoning. —Corey Russo, Orono, Minnesota
Mad Scientist Punch
Our home economists concocted this "potion" with kitchen staples such as juice concentrate, soft drink mix, soda and sherbet. It appeals to kids of all ages! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Confetti Corn Quesadillas
This easy and convenient meal is easily changed to fit any family's picky eaters. You can even sneak in protein, dairy and veggies and the kids will never know this is relatively good for them. I try to keep a batch in the fridge for a quick and hearty lunch. —Carey Hunt, Portland, Oregon
Halloween Party Cutout Cookies
I've been making these Halloween cookies for about 40 years—first for my children and now my grandchildren and all their friends, too. I make about 20 trays a year to give away to trick-or-treaters. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia
Candy Bar Apple Salad
This creamy, sweet snickers salad with crisp apple crunch is a real people-pleaser. It makes a lot, which is good, because it will go fast! —Cyndi Fynaardt, Oskaloosa, Iowa
Skewered Eyeballs
Someone is watching! These stuffed mushrooms are awfully tasty. The toothpicks look threatening, but they help folks grab their share of the finger food.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mummy Poppers
I wrapped these spicy jalapeno poppers in puff pastry like a mummy. You can tame the heat by adjusting the amount of chipotle peppers.—Nick Iverson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Flying Bat Pizzas
My kids love to help add toppings and spooky decorations to these quick and tasty Mexican-style pizzas before they go into the oven. —Angela Hanks, St. Albans, West Virginia
Monster Munchies
Magically transform squash or pumpkin seeds into a spellbinding snack with ranch salad dressing mix. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Halloween Monster Cookies
Don't be surprised if all the monsters come out of hiding when you assemble these fun and easy treats. My kids and I made them for their classroom Halloween party one year. Their classmates loved them, and it's now a tradition to make them every year. —Dina Crowell, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Roasted Autumn Vegetable Soup
Roasting sweet potatoes, carrots and parsnips brings out their best features. Blend them, and you have a warm, healthy soup for a cool fall night. —Stephanie Flaming, Woodland, California
Mummy Brownies
The grave couldn't hold these mummified treats for long! Watch these fudgy brownies pull a disappearing act at your Halloween get-together. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Mini Pretzel Pumpkins
Folks are sure to share some tricks in order to get some of these pleasing pumpkin-shaped treats. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Hot Dog Mummies with Honey Mustard Dip
These flaky mummy sandwiches are instant party hits! The accompanying mustard dip adds just the right kick.
Bewitched Chili
One pot and thirty minutes—yes, please. Kids and grown-ups love this warm-you-up chili for Halloween. —Janice Westmoreland, Brooksville, Florida
Party Franks
These tiny, tangy appetizers have broad appeal. I prepare them often for holiday gatherings, weddings and family reunions. They're convenient to serve at parties since the sauce can be made ahead and then reheated with the franks before serving. —Lucille Howell, Portland, Oregon
Spooky Spider Snacks
These kooky critters feature bodies made of creamy peanut butter simply sandwiched between round butter crackers. Chow mein noodles are ideal as the crunchy legs, and plump raisins act as eyes. They are a great treat for Halloween.—Andrea Chapman, Helena, Oklahoma
Jack-o'-Lantern Cake
I pieced two fluted tube pan cakes together to make this gap-toothed grinner that will make the best-ever centerpiece at your Halloween party. —Julianne Johnson, Grove City, Minnesota
Broccoli Boo Salad
There's nothing scary about the recipe for this popular salad—it's delightfully easy to put together. The mandarin oranges also look nice with the colors in other foods and decorations for my theme.—Vicki Schlechter, Davis, California
Caramel Apple Cupcakes
Take these extra special cupcakes to your next event and watch how quickly they disappear! With a caramel topping and spice cake base, they're the perfect mix of two fall-favorite treats. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
Baked Pumpkin Goat Cheese Alfredo with Bacon
This is a unique and delicious pasta, perfect for fall. I made this for my girlfriends, and everyone asked for the recipe! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Snakewich with Venom Sauce
Our Halloween party is so big, I hold it in the street. This sandwich shaped like a snake is tasty and a scary good centerpiece. —Suzanne Clark, Phoenix, Arizona
Frankenguac
Play the mad scientist this year and bring a monster to life. He's frightfully fun and delicious! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Creamy Sourdough Snack
This bread bowl dip was a big hit at my mom's 50th birthday party! —Darelyn Payes, Hayward, California
Pumpkin Pie Dip
I came up with this rich, creamy pumpkin dip when I had a small amount of canned pumpkin left in the fridge after my holiday baking. It's also great served with sliced pears and apples, or as a spread on zucchini bread. —Laurie LaClair, North Richland Hills, Texas
Creepy-Crawly Pasta Salad
A sweet-and-sour dressing tops off this easy pasta salad that's actually good for you! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Scary Eyeballs
Kids will squeal with delight at the sight of these eyeball treats. But the peanut butter flavor is the best part! —Shannon Blatchley, Ludlow, Massachusetts
Cauldron Dip
This witch's cauldron doesn't hold a spooky brew--just a Halloween snack that's frightfully fun! Our Test Kitchen formed a pot by toasting a slice of rye bread, then filled it with a creamy dip that's perfect with the pretzel "logs" and sweet pepper "flames" that are placed underneath.
Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
My mom makes this hot chocolate with pumpkin, spices and white chocolate. We usually drink it on Halloween, but it’s delish at Christmas too. —Sasha King, Westlake Village, California
Witch's Caviar
I like to serve this dip with triangle-shaped tortilla chips because they look like pointy witch hats. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Kiss from a Vampire Cookies
Raspberry jam eerily oozes from these soft butter cookies. One bite, and you'll have a hard time stopping! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Ham 'n' Cheese Spiders
These creepy sandwiches are sure to scare up some fun at Halloween time! Kids really enjoy eating the spider-shaped sandwiches. —Kendra Barclay, De Kalb, Illinois
Crazy Halloween Blondies
I have a real sweet tooth, so Halloween is my favorite holiday. I came up with these bars for my kids, but I think I like them even more than they do! —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Purple People Eater Punch
This colorful Halloween punch tastes just like grape sparkling wine. Watch it disappear from your next spooky buffet.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Jack-o'-Lantern Pizzas
Set out a variety of toppings and let the kids decorate their pumpkin-head pizzas. It will be so much fun that they won't realize that they're eating their veggies! —Rachel DeVault, Grove City, Ohio
Festive Pumpkin Dip
Pumpkin adds a sweet element to savory cream cheese dip. It's a chunky, satisfying snack for fall. —Evelyn Kennell, Roanoke, Illinois
Pumpkin Pie Shots
Grown-up treats that feature canned pumpkin and butterscotch schnapps will lure guests back for more. The gelatin shots are made ahead, so they're a great party starter. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Yummy Mummy Calzones
Family favorite pizza toppings are the not-so-spooky surprise inside these clever calzones from our Test Kitchen. If you serve these on wood "coffins" like we did, be sure to line the surface with plastic wrap or waxed paper. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Vampire Mouths
Sink your teeth into handheld pies that take on a menacing persona. Using refrigerated pie pastry speeds up prep so you'll have time to carve your pumpkins, too. If you can't find walnut butter, try using natural peanut butter instead. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Creamy Pumpkin Hummus
I love to serve this pumpkin hummus with sliced apples, pears and pita chips. Top it with toasted pumpkin seeds, a drizzle of pumpkin oil and even fried sage leaves. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
Goblin Bites
Use vegetable scraps to create ghoulish monster faces on each wonton dip cup. Cut leftover wontons into fun Halloween shapes with small cutters and bake until lightly browned. —Betty Huddleston, Liberty, Indiana
Witch-in-the-Moonlight Cheesecake
Make this ominous cheesecake the highlight of your Halloween buffet. Guests will love what is hidden inside: a fudgy filling. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Spider Sliders
We're always trying to do fun things with food to make meals memorable. Better grab one of these sandwiches before it walks away! —Frank Millard, Edgerton, Wisconsin
Martian Marshmallows
Wrap leftovers in cellophane and hand them out as favors-if they haven't all disappeared by the end of the party.—Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Cute Halloween Sandwiches
I make these for my grandchildren. You can change the cutter shape and food coloring to suit any occasion, but this is a surefire trick-or-treat winner! —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida
Creepy Candied Corn
I couldn't stop eating this popcorn when I first tried it at a friend's party. My generous pal offered the recipe, and now I bring it to gatherings often. Color your corn an eerie green hue to add a spooky effect at Halloween. —Courtney D Wilson, Fresno, California
Boo-rito Bites
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, and entertaining is one of my favorite things to do. My entire family loves these cute apps, especially my kids, which makes the recipe extra-special. —Rachel Ruiz, Hurlburt Fld, Florida
Slithering Hummus Bites
Friends often ask me to make my hummus dip for parties. One year at Halloween, I decided to take it further by piping it into phyllo shells and topping it with olives and roasted red peppers to make creepy creatures. —Amy White, Manchester, Connecticut
Scary Hairy Caramel Apples
This is a cute and tasty version of a caramel apple. It's perfect for a Halloween party. —Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan
Hearty Slow-Cooker Chili
When it’s time to build my zesty chili, I combine everything the night before. In the morning, I load the slow cooker and let it do the work. —Molly Butt, Granville, Ohio
Halloween Punch
My bright orange sipper fits right in with October fun. To serve it in a festive way, I often put the punch bowl inside a hollowed-out-pumpkin. —Sue Thomas, Casa Grande, Arizona
Gruesome Greek Dip
Guests will help themselves to seconds of this savory dip that features shrimp, feta cheese and Greek seasoning. The orange color is fun for Halloween, too. —Gina Wilson, Austin, Texas
Jack-o'-Lantern Cupcakes
Carve out a little time to decorate these Halloween pumpkins with Jack-'o-lantern faces. They're a fun treat to make and share!—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Eyeball Taco Salad
Topped with creepy peepers, this tasty taco salad is packed with beef, cheese, tomato and satisfying southwestern flavor to make everyone in your freaky family happy. —Jolene Young, Union, Illinois
Goblin's Orange Popcorn
Your little goblins will love to munch this tasty, colorful popcorn that features a crispy crunch and sweet flavor.
Donna Higbee, Sandy, Utah
Oozy Green Eyeballs
Because it calls for frozen prepared meatballs, this unique appetizer takes mere minutes to prepare.—Carole Resnick, Cleveland, Ohio
Eyes-Wide-Open Espresso Cookies
When the spooks come out on Halloween night, you may be afraid to go to sleep. So go ahead and munch on these coffee-laced cookies! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Turkey Sloppy Joes for a Crowd
I found this recipe in my mother's recipe box. Sometimes I serve it over vegetables such as corn or green beans, but it's equally delicious on a bun. —Julie Clemes, Adrian Michigan
Trick-or-Treat Pizza
Don’t let your leftover Halloween loot go to waste. Pile your favorite candies onto a monster-size cookie. — Kendra Bowen, Louisville, Illinois
Cranberry BBQ Pulled Pork
Cranberry sauce adds a yummy twist to pulled pork, and my family can't get enough of it! The pork cooks to tender perfection in the slow cooker, which also makes this dish conveniently portable. —Carrie Wiegand, Mount Pleasant, Iowa
Halloween Peanut Butter Cookie Pops
A miniature candy bar is hidden inside these fun pops. Colored frosting and candy faces make these addicting cookie pops the perfect Halloween treat. —Martha Hoover, Coatesville, Pennsylvania
Pumpkin-Shaped Cheese Ball
Everyone will get a kick out of this creamy, savory spread. The zippy cheddar ball can be made a day ahead. —Suzanne McKinley, Lyons, Georgia
