Transform A Nutcracker Into A Candle Holder For Unique Holiday Decor

Nutcrackers have been synonymous with the holiday season for decades, though the utensils themselves have been around for centuries. Originally unadorned and solely made for cracking nuts open, over the decades, these handy little implements were transformed into wooden toys often painted as soldiers. The Nutcracker ballet popularized the little works of art in the late 1900s, and their association with the holiday season was sealed. While the standard "soldier" form is, in part, what makes a modern nutcracker, clever crafters are adding their own styling to adapt the adored holiday decor item to almost any design scheme. So, if a brightly painted soldier isn't quite in line with your Christmas decor vibe, arm yourself with some crafting tools and transform your nutcracker into something that is — an elegant, rustic candle holder, for example.

You could, of course, carve your own nutcracker from a beautiful piece of wood like they did in the 16th and 17th centuries — or you could take the modern-day approach and buy an unfinished wood soldier on Amazon. This $16 MAGICLULU Three-Piece Nutcracker Set will give you lots of design options, in part because they're each over a foot in height. Smaller options come with a smaller price tag, though painting or staining may be a slightly more delicate process. Of course, buying something like Joanne's Christmas Wood Nutcracker by Place & Time will allow you to nix that step altogether. If you choose to go with a fully designed nutcracker, all you'll need to convert it into a candle holder is a candle base. The key to success is a little patience and the right materials.

When choosing your nutcracker, consider selecting one with an arm bent at 90 degrees to support the candle. Remove anything that's in the little wooden "hand" and replace it with a candle holder base. Before you buy your candle base, consider the candle's size in relation to your wooden soldier; opt for a too-big candle, and your doll will topple. These Yardwe Metal Pillar Candle Plates available on Amazon feature a long, slender peg on the bottom that might just fit perfectly in your soldier's hand. Or you could use a tea light candle holder affixed to the "hand" and forearm — or even the hat. No matter where you attach it, you'll want to secure it with fast-drying glue. Using traditional wood glue may not adhere well to an already-painted nutcracker, but perhaps worse still, wood glue may require clamping for hours in order to achieve a firm hold. Also, remember if your candle base isn't kept at a near-perfect level until the glue is fully dry, your candle may come off as more of a sword — and a safety hazard.

From skiing and fishing nutcrackers to the Grinch and Elf versions, there is a Nutcracker for almost any style and need. Use them to decorate for Christmas with little name cards to turn them into whimsical place card holders for your holiday meal, attach a loop to the hat of your little soldier and opt for a battery-powered tea light to use as a DIY holiday ornament, or custom design one for a friend as a thoughtful hostess gift.