How to Make a Ghost Candle Holder With a Baby Food Jar

Rather than discard your baby food jars, recycle them to make cute Halloween crafts with the kids. You can, for example, transform one into a ghost candle holder that you can add to your family Halloween decorations or give away as a gift.

Things You'll Need

• Baby jar
• Hand towel (optional)
• Paper towel
• Rubbing alcohol
• White crafting glue
• Water
• Small bowl
• Spoon or craft stick for mixing
• White tissue paper
• Scissors (optional)
• Paint brush
• Wiggly eyes
• Button
• Glue dots
• Black permanent marker

Instructions

1. Wash the baby food jar out thoroughly. Set it aside to air dry, or dry it using a hand towel. Wipe the outside of the baby food jar down with a paper towel containing a small amount of rubbing alcohol. (This removes any oils or grease from your hands and insures proper application of the decoupage mixture.)

2. Mix equal parts of white crafting glue and water into a small bowl. Mix the solution thoroughly, until it has the consistency of paint.

3. Tear the white tissue paper up into 1- and 2-inch square pieces. You can use scissors for a neater appearance, but tearing adds texture.

4. Use the paint brush to apply some of the decoupage solution onto a small area of the jar. Apply a piece of the torn tissue paper over top of it. Paint another small area of the jar with the solution and apply another piece of torn tissue paper. Repeat this until the entire jar is covered, and then set it aside for about 30 minutes to dry.

5. Add a second layer of tissue to create more complete coverage. Set the jar in an open, airy space to dry overnight.

6. Glue the wiggly eyes onto the dry, decoupaged tissue on the jar using glue dots. Attach a glue dot on the back of the button and then glue it onto the jar to serve as a nose. Draw a ghoulish-looking mouth below the nose, using a black permanent marker.

7. Attach a glue dot onto the bottom of a tea light candle. Place the tea light candle inside the jar. Take care to position the candle in the center of the jar floor.

Tips & Warnings

• You may opt to draw the eyes and nose instead of using the wiggly eyes and button. Cut a bow shape out of a piece of felt and use a glue dot to place it at the top (off-center) to make your ghost candle holder into a girl.