The DIY That Turns A Dollar Tree Find Into Sparkling Table Decor With String Lights

Sometimes the most ingenious and stunning DIY projects come from the most unexpected places. In this case, it may be the Dollar Tree toy aisle, where you might not expect to find really cool elements that can be transformed into stylish decor. YouTube DIYer Special Creations By Nelly takes plain wooden toys from the retailer and turns them into centerpiece candle vessels or lighted holders that are not only perfectly budget-friendly and simple to make, but also blessed with a sculptural beauty often found with much more expensive decor. The results are an accent perfect for your next event for a dinner party.

Make one or several in graduating sizes to add height and interest to the centerpiece display. Combine them with twinkle lights and other elements like faux or dried flowers, pine cones, greenery, and other centerpiece elements specific to the season or occasion. Not just for tables, they would also look stunning on a mantle, coffee table, or window ledge as part of your holiday decorations for Christmas on a budget. This would also make a great way to repurpose old game pieces from games like Jenga.

You will need a wooden Tumbling Tower Game set, available for around a dollar each at Dollar Tree. Its rectangular blocks come in a natural wood finish, but can also be spray painted to fit your decor (this DIYer chose gold, but other colors that might work are white, matte black, silver, brass, or copper). Use a circular Dollar Tree glass mirror candleholder as a base, affixing and stacking your wood block pieces together with hot glue to create a pedestal in your desired height and shape. This technique could also work with wooden cubes or giant beads for a similar look.

These blocks make a great base for getting even more creative with your centerpiece elements, allowing you to stack several items together to get the desired effect. Try using a flat saucer or glass disc pillar candleholder affixed with glue on top of the blocks to create a perfect simple platform candle holder. Or add a glass floral bowl or glass votive holder to place the real or faux candle inside. You can even add decorative accent stickers around the outside or add beads, gravel, or sand to the base of the bowl. Turn the globe upside down to create adorable cottage-core cloches for your table or mantle or make a fun snow globe with fake snow or cotton at the bottom. You can also keep building higher. Fill the globe with faux flowers, beads, or natural elements and add a taper candle holder above. 

To add light to your new holders, fill a lightbulb-shaped glass jar with mini-lights for an industrial-style flair. Or add an LED battery-operated bulb or micro-string lights inside the bowl itself for a cozy glow amid the contents. For outdoor dining arrangements, you could even use solar-powered lights.