Level Up Basic Dollar Tree Candles With A Crafty DIY

Taper candles can turn any dinner into an elegant occasion and elevate the most mundane of days. These inexpensive classics can easily be picked up anywhere, including from Dollar Tree. At this retailer, you can get a pack of two Luminessence White Taper Candles for just $1.25. They also offer other colors like red and ivory, too. But perhaps you want to add just a little extra something to your candles. Fortunately, there's an easy way to customize them. By painting designs on your candles, you will provide them with an entirely new look, and your only limit is your imagination.

Painting your taper candles is a surprisingly simple craft, as all you need are some paint brushes and either acrylic paint or another candle with a different color wax. Using nontoxic acrylic paint to decorate your taper candles is definitely the safest option, and you shouldn't place the acrylic paint too close to the wick to avoid burning the paint, too. Painting with wax is a bit more challenging, but it has the advantage of melting without issue when you burn your candle. Regardless of the exact method you use, you're sure to love having these ornate candles to decorate your home with. 

Once you've gathered your candles and your painting supplies, you're ready to paint on whatever designs you desire. You can opt for holiday themes like painting orange pumpkins onto a black candle or green pine trees onto a white candle. Alternatively, stick with timeless combos like pairing blues and whites for candles that can stay up year-round. Try polka dots or flowers for a simple design that looks adorable. However, while painting, be sure to let one section of the candle dry before you move onto a different section or color to avoid smearing your design. Also keep in mind that you can paint larger pillar candles too, if desired.

If you prefer to avoid using acrylic paint so that you can burn your whole candle, you can either purchase the FansArriche Candle Paint Pens or use melted wax from a burning colored tealight candle to paint your design. Be very careful if you opt to use melted wax to paint on your candle. You will also have to work quickly if you use this method, as the wax will quickly begin to harden as it cools. Or, if you're looking for another way to decorate your candles, try adding temporary tattoos instead of paint like in this clever hack for DIYing Halloween candles.