Making
block advent candle holders is a clever way to utilize pieces of wood leftover
from other projects, such as last summer’s new deck or fence. Wooden posts
are cut to size, and holes are drilled for the candles. Minwax PolyShades was
applied to add rich colour with a durable protection while enhancing the wood
grain — all in a single step. These modern-style candle holders can used
year round.
Advent
is a term for the period that begins on the Sunday nearest November 30 and lasts
until Christmas. The word advent is derived from the Latin word “adventus”
meaning “to come”. The four advent candles symbolize the four weeks
of advent. Typically, the purple candles symbolize joy, peace and love, and are
lit on the first, second and fourth Sunday of advent. The pink candle symbolizes
hope and is lit on the third Sunday. At midnight on Christmas Eve, the candles
are replaced by white candles. Theses candle are used until the Epiphany. This
tradition has long been practiced by several religious faiths. Families set up
advent candles arranged in or around a wreath that is either set on a table or
suspended from the ceiling. The circle wreath is a symbol of eternity and life,
and the candles are the light of the world.
Measure
and cut with a saw four wooden blocks in the sizes indicated above, or to any
other size, as there are no rules for the height of advent candle holders, just
as long as there are four. Traditionally, they are all the same size, but there
is no set rule. I just decided to give these wooden holders a modern look.
On
the top face of each of the blocks, draw an X (from each corner) with a pencil
and a ruler to find and mark the centre.
Secure the wooden block in a vise, then drill a 1-1/4” diameter hole, as
deep as the tealight candle cup, in the centre of it. Stop and check if the tealight
fits, then continue drilling if needed to adjust the depth. Repeat steps for each
holder.
Sand the wooden blocks until smooth. Start with the medium grit sandpaper and
finish with the fine grit sandpaper. Dust off with a tack cloth.
For
uniform staining, first apply a coat of pre-stain to each candle holder. Let dry
about 10 minutes. Apply a light coat (to avoid drip marks) of the one-step stain
in your choice of colour to each of the candle holders. Let each coat dry for
eight hours before recoating. Normally, at least two coats are needed for an even
and polished finish, but additional coats may be applied for richer colour. I
applied four coats, one in the morning and one in the evening over a two-day period.
To avoid drip marks, after each coat application, wait five minutes and use upward
strokes with the paintbrush around the top edges of the holders.
Once the stain is dry, insert a tealight candle into each of the candle holders.
Adorn
with festive beaded wire if desired and let the count down to the holidays begin.
The holders will look simply majestic when displayed in a row on a buffet, down
the centre of a table or gracing a mantel, or placed inside a large wreath. Light
one candle each Sunday, an additional one the next Sunday, and so on until Christmas.
Variations:
To make Hanukkah candle holders, cut eight wooden holders in the same size and
height. Cut a ninth (and centre, the Shamas) holder taller. Stain blue, paint
silver, or decorate with gold leaf accents, such as Stars of David.
To use tapered candles, simply drill a smaller hole at the other end of the wooden
block, then turn them over to use different size candles.
No
need to clean your paintbrush between each coat; simply kept it sealed in Glad®
Press’n Seal™ wrap.
Minwax PolyShades also allows you to easily change the colour of currently stained
or varnished wood items without stripping.
Copyright
MaddyLane Designs/Miy Decorations © 2008
No portion of this article is to be copied or published without permission.
