A step‑by‑step tutorial to recreate the look of antique Christmas tree candles: make simple DIY brass-style candle holder clips using battery lights.
Call me Clark Griswold — when it comes to holiday lights, I firmly believe more is more. This year I went all in on lights for garlands, wreaths, and mini trees: if it can hold a light, it has a light.
For a rustic, nostalgic feel to match our Swedish-inspired holiday decor, I wanted the tree to have the soft glow of traditional taper candles without the obvious fire risk and dripping wax. The result is an easy DIY that turns battery-operated candle lights into convincing antique-style tree candles with metal clips and a bit of hot glue.
DIY Antique Candle Christmas Tree Lights
If you love the charm of brass candle clips and the authentic look of taper candles, this project gives you that antique vibe while remaining safe and reusable year after year. The process is quick, inexpensive, and requires just a few common supplies. It’s a great way to add a vintage touch to any tree, wreath, or garland.
Supplies
- Battery-operated remote-controlled candle lights (LED)
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Small metal clip-on candle holders (brass finish or brass-plated look)
I chose battery-operated candles that included a small plastic clip with each light. The clips did their job but looked inexpensive and plastic, so I swapped them for metal clip-on holders and used hot glue to secure the candles into place. The result reads much more authentic up close and from a distance.
Step 1 – Test the Battery-Operated Candles
First, insert fresh batteries and test each candle to make sure it works and to learn how long the batteries last per set. Testing up front saves time and avoids discovering a dead candle after you’ve already attached clips to the tree.
Step 2 – Bend the Candle Clip Prongs
Take one metal candle clip and gently bend the prongs inward so the interior is relatively flat. The prongs on most small brass clips are surprisingly pliable and can be adjusted by hand; if needed, use needle-nose pliers for more control. Flattening the prongs creates a better surface for the glue to bond to the candle base.
Step 3 – Fill the Clip with Hot Glue
Set your hot glue gun to the high setting and carefully fill the area between the prongs with hot glue. Work quickly but carefully — you want enough glue to create a stable bed for the candle base without overflowing. If you prefer a cleaner finish, you can build the glue up in layers, letting each layer cool slightly before adding the next.
Step 4 – Set the Battery Candle Into the Hot Glue
Press the base of the battery candle into the hot glue and hold it upright for about 30–60 seconds while the glue cools enough to hold. Make sure the candle sits straight so it looks authentic once clipped to the branch. Repeat this process for as many candles as you want to make.
That’s it — a simple transformation that gives your tree an antique flair without the hazards of real flame.
Because these are battery-operated, you get the warm look of traditional candles and the convenience of remote control. They’re perfect for homes with kids, pets, or anywhere open flames aren’t practical.
Maintenance and tips: Store the candle clips in a cool, dry place. Over time, hot glue can separate from the plastic base of some battery candles — if this happens, a fresh dab of hot glue restores the bond quickly. Replace batteries each season or when your remote indicates low power. When placing the clips on the tree, position them on thicker, stable branches so the candle sits straight and won’t tilt or fall.
It’s surprising how much character a handful of these candle clips adds to a tree. They pair beautifully with natural elements like dried orange slices, sprigs of evergreens, paper ornaments, and simple ribbons — perfect for a Swedish or rustic holiday theme.
Four years later, my DIY candle holders are still going strong. Occasionally a clip needs a fresh dab of glue before it goes back on the tree, but overall they’re durable and easy to refresh for the next season.
Will you try this easy Christmas candle DIY on your tree or wreath this year?
More DIY Christmas Decor Ideas
- DIY Christmas decorations you can make inexpensively
- Christmas wall decor ideas and printable holiday art
- DIY cinnamon salt dough ornaments
- DIY candle holder from a thrifted brass canister
- Sheet music gallery wall for seasonal decor
