Ready to infuse your home with festive warmth and charm? Discover the joy of crafting a delightful gingerbread house candle holder with our easy-to-follow steps. Using a gingerbread house printable template available in our Etsy shop, this project transforms your space into a winter wonderland. Let's dive into the details!

What Does the Gingerbread House Symbolize?

Gingerbread houses originated in Germany in the 1600s. They became especially popular after the Brothers Grimm released the tale of Hansel and Gretel in which the wicked witch lives in a house made of gingerbread. Today, gingerbread houses are associated with Christmas time and the idea of family and home.

There's a special charm to decorating with gingerbread houses during Christmas. They create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, likely because they originated from the beloved gingerbread cookie. This sweet treat has inspired various creative concepts, making it an irresistible choice for holiday decor.

Inspired by this festive theme, I decided to craft something in the spirit of gingerbread houses for our home this year. Thus, the idea for this gingerbread candle craft came to life.

How to Make a Gingerbread House Candle Holder

Supplies:

• Printable Gingerbread House Template: No need for special paper—grab any regular sheet from your printer.
• Paint Markers (White and Gold): Create intricate details with a touch of elegance. Choose an oil-based marker for a lasting effect, or go for a chalk marker that you can easily wipe off after the holidays.
• Tape: Keep your gingerbread template secure in place inside the jar
• Glass Cylinder, Jar or Dome: Choose a transparent home for your glowing creation. Great places to shop for glass candle holders is dollar stores like Dollar Tree, craft stores like Michaels and Hobby Lobby or places like Target or Walmart.
• Candle: Find a low candle that fits snugly inside. A low candle allows the flame to illuminate the gingerbread village.

Gingerbread House Candle Holder Crafting Directions

Now that you have all your supplies it is time to begin crafting this adorable gingerbread town into your glass candle holder. Let's jump right in with the steps beginning with the gingerbread house stencil.

Step 1: Print and Prep

Print the gingerbread house template on regular printer paper. Print in black and white or the traditional gingerbread cookie color whichever you prefer.

I added two templates to the printable on Etsy so you would have more options to do other projects. The black and white page can also be a coloring page for the kids and the warm toasty colored gingerbread houses can be made into a garland, placed in windows or any creative idea.

Step 2: Place in Glass

Insert the template into a glass cylinder, trimming any excess with scissors.

If your gingerbread template doesn't lay flat you can also cut the houses apart and place them in one at a time just make sure you don't cut out or through any stars.

Step 3: Secure with Tape

Ensure a snug fit by taping the template inside the glass jar by adding a little tape at the top and bottom. Painters tape works great but if all you have is wrapping tape that will work too.

Step 4: Trace with White

Use a white paint marker or chalk marker to outline the gingerbread houses and stars. Make sure to marker over all the details too like the little swirls over the windows and the mullions in the windows. You'll soon see the shape of a white gingerbread house come to life.

It is the little details that make this DIY gingerbread candle holder so special.

I purchases a chalk paint marker set from Hobby Lobby and the fine point chalk marker worked really good for details. I did the fatter marker in both chalk and acrylic and they all work great.

The advantage to the chalk marker is that you can remove it after Christmas however, when we get to the next step you wont be able to add it unless you can find a gold chalk marker.

Step 5: Add Gold Accents

After the paint dries, infuse warmth by coloring in the tiny windows with a gold paint marker.

Adding this little detail make the small gingerbread houses feel even more magical, warm and toasty.

Step 6: Remove the Gingerbread House Template

Your white gingerbread house tealight holder is almost complete.

Step 7: Illuminate

Complete the magic by placing a low candle inside the jar, bringing your gingerbread candle house creation to life.

You can use battery-powered candles too, but after trying both, I think a real candle truly illuminates gingerbread candle holder and creates a festive mood. They make a sweet tealight candle holder or taper candle holder.

How do I Decorate with Gingerbread House Candle Holders?

Gingerbread house candle holders are the perfect Christmas addition to your decor. You can decorate with the charming gingerbread candle holder in many ways during this festive season. Here are a few of my favorite ideas.

When decorating with these gingerbread candles, think of them like decorating with any candle. They can easily fit anywhere in your holiday home decor and the soft flicker of candlelight will be a welcome addition anywhere in your home.

– Charming Centerpiece

Elevate your table decor with this adorable creation. Set them in a dough bowl filled with snow or greenery or simply set them on a runner with greenery trailing around them.

Recently a friend who lives in Germany came across this gorgeous dough bowl at a bazaar and sent it to me. Isn't it beautiful? When it came in the mail I had visions of using it on our table for the holidays. Here is how I created this dramatic centerpiece.

First, I placed books in the bottom of the large dough bowl to elevate the candles. Next I place flour sack material inside to cover the books. Then I placed the gingerbread candle holder I made onto the fabric and, lastly, placed cedar tree branches around the candle vases. The lit tealight candles brings it to life.

– Coffee Table Delight

Spruce up your coffee table with these whimsical candles. Use your new candle holders in place of table lamps. Similar idea to the table centerpiece you can set a dough bowl or tray on your coffee table filled with your gingerbread house candles.

– Kitchen Tray Arrangement

Create a festive atmosphere by arranging the candles on a tray in your kitchen or if you have shelves display them there. They would also be pretty sitting on a window sill in a kitchen with the soft flicker of light in the window.

– Mantel Magic

Transform your fireplace mantel into a sweet haven for these delightful gingerbread houses. Imagine creating a long display of these gingerbread house candle holder along the entire fireplace mantel. All illuminated they would be so magical.

Sprinkle snow or greenery around them to continue to add to the drama of the display. Ribbon twined through the greenery would be pretty too.

Conclusion

Sit back and revel in the enchanting glow of your handcrafted gingerbread house candles. Let the warmth of the season fill your home with joy and holiday spirit. Enjoy the festive ambiance you've created with this simple yet magical DIY project!

These gingerbread house candle holders would also make an amazing gift. Add a gingerbread house tealight house in a gift box or bag wrapped in a bit of tissue paper, and check out our personalized Christmas treats tags with gift message or add a handwritten card for a finishing touch.

If you're looking for more Christmas inspiration, check out these posts:

• Little Women Christmas Home Tour with Burgundy, Gold, and Velvet Elegance!
• How to Make Velvet Ornaments: DIY Christmas Decor
• Crack Open Cheer: Christmas Decorating Ideas with Nutcrackers
• Beautiful Ways for Decorating with Gingerbread Houses
• Crafting Your 12 Days of Christmas Garland Printable
• Easy Upcycled DIY Life Size Nutcracker

Do you have a favorite go-to Christmas DIY? I'd love to hear about it in the comments!

Happy Decorating!