How to Make a Log Candle Centerpiece

Log candle centerpieces can make your dining room warm and inviting. This beautiful winter decoration can be used for a romantic evening dinner or in the background of a family holiday party. You can find the log and greens by taking a healthy hike through the woods or by hiking down to your local nursery. Either way, this project is sure to light up your holiday table.

Things You'll Need

• Log
• Wood sealer
• Taper candles
• Greenery
• Hot glue gun
• Glue sticks
• Drill
• Wood bit
• Safety goggles
• Wired ribbon
• Thin ribbon or tiny decorations

Instructions

1. Find a log that will sit still and not roll back and forth. Clean it off well with a brush and some warm water, then let it dry overnight, indoors. Measure the ends of the taper candles and drill three holes in the log, with the same sized bit. Space it so there is one in the middle and the others an inch or so toward the ends. Brush on a wood sealer. There are many types of wood sealers--some you can't even notice while others will make the wood shiny. Choose one that leaves a shiny finish. You will need to apply at least two coats of sealer. Follow the manufacturer's directions on drying times between coats.

2. Decorate the log with fresh holly sprigs and pine cones. Use hot glue to hold the stems to the log. You can flatten the side of a pine cone a little to get it to stick better. Glue on some pine needles and a few leaves here and there. Fill the log on both sides and the top to conceal the holes for the candles. You can use artificial greens and leaves if your prefer; just apply them the same way with hot glue.

3. Tie wide metal-edged ribbon into bows and glue one onto each side. Tie the thin ribbon into loops with bows and put them over the candles so they are at different levels. You can also get tiny decorations in the shape of pine cones or holly and hot glue them onto the candles at different levels.

4. Place the fresh centerpiece on the fireplace mantle or table. They look great inside artificial fireplaces also.

Tips & Warnings

• You can dress the centerpiece up for Christmas by using little decorations such as wrapped gifts or candy canes. Just glue them where you want them.

• Always wear safety goggles when using a drill so you don't get pieces of wood or sawdust in your eyes.