Christmas Candles in Windows Decor

Simple DIY Christmas Candle Ideas for a Warm Holiday Glow

here is something timeless about Christmas candles in windows. Whether you use real flames or battery lights, they fill your home with warmth and calm, creating that soft glow that instantly feels like Christmas.

Up north where I live, by the time Christmas arrives we have only about six hours of daylight. The soft light from candles feels especially comforting then, brightening our homes and our spirits.

A single candle can light up a dark evening and remind us of peace, hope, and the beauty of the season.

Every year I like to place candles in nearly every room of our home, but this season I focused on creating a few simple candle arrangements just for the windows. These Christmas candles in windows add a cozy glow that can be seen from outside while still feeling calm and peaceful indoors.

Each candle holder costs less than three dollars to make, yet they look elegant in their minimalist white and green colors. You can place them in your windows or anywhere you want an extra Christmas glow.

The History of Christmas Candles in Windows

Candles in windows have long been a sign of warmth and welcome. A hundred years ago in Alberta, homes were often far apart, and travelers came by foot or horseback. A candle glowing in a window let visitors know they were welcome to stop in and rest.

I learned that the tradition began in Ireland, where a candle in the window and an unlocked door signaled to Catholic priests that it was safe to hold mass in the home.

For whatever reason, I think candles add a quiet calm to decor and shine a soft, pretty light into a room. Who doesn’t feel the romance of candlelight at Christmas?

Christmas Decor with Candles

I created three simple Christmas candle ideas for our home, each one designed for a different room. They are quick to make, budget-friendly, and perfect for adding a warm glow to your windows.

Although I’ve named each candle craft by the room where I used it, you can easily adapt any of them for other spaces. If you have children or pets, use battery-operated candles for safety. We’re empty nesters, so I was able to enjoy real candlelight in ours.

Let me know in the comments which Christmas candles in windows idea you like best.

Adding Scent to Your Christmas Candles

If you want to add scent to your Christmas candles, you can buy scented ones or create your own natural fragrance. Try tucking a few cloves inside the jar, adding cinnamon sticks, or using fresh greenery like bay leaves and cedar sprigs. I made mine with faux greenery, but real greens can add both fragrance and a touch of nature to your decor.

Living Room Christmas Candles in Window

This simple Christmas candle arrangement for the living room is made with clear IKEA jars and a few sprigs of eucalyptus from my Christmas mantel. I placed one in the large front window where it shines softly out toward the neighborhood, and another in the window that overlooks our entryway.

When I create new decor, I always try to keep it as affordable as possible. Before buying anything, I check what I already have on hand that can be reused or adapted. Simple materials, a few candles, and some greenery are all you need to create something warm and elegant.

Materials for Making the Christmas Candles for the Living Room

• Clear glass jar ( I used IKEA)
• Dollar store stub candles or battery-operated candles that fit inside the jar
• Decorative twine or ribbon
• Small greenery embellishment, such as eucalyptus
• Hot glue and scissors
• Tea towel to hold the jar steady

How to Make Christmas Window Candles for the Living room

1. Wash your clear glass jar and make sure your candle fits properly inside. If it’s a bit tight, gently scrape away some candle wax until it fits.
2. Place the candle inside the jar.
3. Cut a small piece of greenery and hold it against the jar where you want it positioned.
4. Wrap the jar several times with twine or ribbon to secure the greenery.
5. Add a small dab of hot glue to hold it in place.
6. Finish with a simple bow.

Bathroom Christmas Candles in Window

For the bathroom, I made two matching Christmas candle displays using small vases instead of jars. The idea was to create something that still looked soft and festive but a little different from the candles in the living room.

Each candle sits on top of a small vase filled with greenery and pinecones. The candles themselves are larger, and I wrapped the base of each one in twine, finishing with a simple bow. The natural textures of the twine and greenery look beautiful against the glass and add just the right touch of Christmas warmth.

I placed one candle in the bathroom window and the other on the counter to tie the two areas together. Both catch the light beautifully during the day and glow softly at night.

Watch the step-by-step video below to see this Christmas candle idea come together.

Materials for Bathroom Window Candles

• Two small glass vases
• Two larger stub or pillar candles (real or battery-operated)
• Pinecones and small sprigs of greenery
• Twine
• Hot glue and scissors
• Tea towel to hold the glass steady

How to Make the Bathroom Christmas Candles

Wash and dry the glass vases.

Remove any labels from the candles.

Fill each vase with a few pinecones and sprigs of greenery.

Wrap twine around the bottom inch of each candle and secure it with a dab of hot glue.

Tie a small bow around the candle for a rustic finish.

Place the candles carefully on top of the vases.

Display one in the window and the other on the bathroom counter.

Watch the step-by-step video below to see this Christmas candle idea come together.

How to Make Christmas Candles in the Windows for the Kitchen

For the kitchen window, I used two antique milk bottles from my cupboard. I discovered the necks weren’t quite the same size, so I adjusted each candle to fit perfectly.

To make them work, I wrapped the base of each taper candle with elastic bands until it fit snugly into the bottle opening. One candle needed three quarter-inch elastics, and the other took five. Once the base was the right size, I wrapped the elastics in baker’s twine and added a small dab of hot glue to hold everything in place.

Materials for Christmas Candles in Windows for the Kitchen

You will need two jars with narrow tops (I used milk jars)

• Two antique or vintage milk bottles with narrow tops
• Two taper candles, real or battery-operated
• A handful of quarter-inch elastic bands
• Baker’s twine
• Florist wire
• Faux snow
• Small sprigs of Christmas greenery
• Scissors and hot glue

How to Make the Kitchen Window Candles

Wash and dry both milk bottles.

Wrap the bottom of each taper candle in elastic bands until it fits snugly into the bottle neck.

Once the fit is secure, wrap the elastics with baker’s twine and hold the ends in place with a small dab of hot glue.

Fill the bottles with a little faux snow.

Cut small pieces of greenery and bundle them together with florist wire.

Attach the greenery to the outside of the bottle neck using the florist wire, so you don’t need to glue anything to your vintage glass.

Wrap baker’s twine over the wire to hide it and tie a small bow.

Insert the candles into the bottle tops and make sure they sit straight.

Watch the step-by-step video below to see this Christmas candle idea come together.

Christmas Decor with Candles Video Tutorial

Watch the step-by-step video below to see all three Christmas window candle ideas come together.
In the video I walk through each version, the living room jars, the bathroom vase displays, and the vintage milk bottle candles for the kitchen, showing exactly how I assembled and styled each one.

Save This Idea for Later

If you would like to try these Christmas candles in windows, please take a moment to pin it for later. Pinning helps you remember the project and lets others discover it too.

Other Christmas Candle Ideas