Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to express love, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by creating your own DIY decor. This simple, budget-friendly craft using thrifted candles is a great way to bring some festive flair to your home. Best of all, this project takes less than five minutes to complete!

This post may contain affiliate links which might earn me a small commission at no cost to you. THANK YOU for supporting me and the quality items I promote!
Why Thrifted Candles Make Great DIY Decor
Thrifted candles are an affordable and eco-friendly way to create your own Valentine’s Day decor. Rather than purchasing expensive candles from stores, you can find beautiful, secondhand candles for a fraction of the price. Whether you prefer traditional red or pink hues, or want to experiment with other colors, thrifted candles provide the perfect base for any DIY craft. Plus, by reusing candles, you’re also helping to reduce waste!

The Candle Pin Trend: A Fun Twist on Classic Decor
Candle pins are having a comeback, and we’re here for it! These small metal decorations can be pushed into candles, giving them a fresh and unique look. Instead of spending money on pricey decorative pins, why not use affordable push pins that you may already have at home? Push pins come in a variety of fun shapes and colors, making them a perfect option for this DIY craft. Don’t miss my favorite styles listed below in this post!

Materials You’ll Need:
- Candles: Taper or pillar candles work best. Choose thrifted candles for a budget-friendly option.
- Push Pins: Look for pins in fun shapes like hearts, pearls, or other creative designs. I put together a list of my favorites – scroll through the adorable options below to shop!

Directions:
Important: If using thin taper candles, soak them in hot water first to soften the wax. This will prevent cracking while keeping the candle’s shape intact for easy decorating.
- Prepare Your Candles: If you’re using taper candles, soak them in hot water for a few minutes. This helps soften the wax and prevents cracking.
- Add the Pins: Begin inserting the push pins into your candles. You can place them randomly, or create lines, patterns, or shapes. The beauty of this project is that you can customize it to fit your personal style!

Customizing Your Candles
What I love most about this DIY Valentine’s Day decor project is how versatile it is. While it’s perfect for Valentine’s Day, you can use this same technique for any holiday or celebration. Don’t like hearts? No problem! You can opt for other shapes like flowers or stars, or even use different colors of pins to match your home’s aesthetic. These custom candles also make fantastic homemade gifts for friends and family.

Safety Tips
If you’re using taper candles, the wax will melt over the push pins, keeping them safe. Plastic pins, like pearls, may melt slightly but won’t catch fire.
- For pillar candles, the flame and wax won’t reach your pins, so they’re reusable.
- Always practice fire safety and never leave candles unattended while burning.
- Enjoy creating your personalized candles safely!

Alternative Candle Decorating Ideas
If you’re looking for other creative ways to transform plain candles into something special, here are a few alternative decorating ideas:
- Repurpose Single Earrings: If you have earrings missing their pairs, use them as unique candle decorations!
- Apply Temporary Tattoos: Temporary tattoos aren’t just for skin—they can be used to decorate candles too!
- Use Napkins: You can apply napkins to candles using mod podge or melt them directly into the wax for a textured look. See my napkin candle tutorial HERE!
- Paint Your Candles: If you’re feeling artistic, try hand-painting candles with acrylic paints. You can create custom designs like stripes, flowers, or even abstract patterns. I painted stripes on thrifted taper candles a few years ago with this tutorial!


More Valentine’s Day Inspiration
If you love these DIY Valentine’s Day decor ideas, check out more creative projects:
Love Monster Cookies
5 – 5 Minute Valentine Crafts
10 Creative Valentine Ideas
Easy Valentine Decor
Grapevine Heart Garland

Valentine Cardigan / Tablecloth / Stemware / Plates / Napkins / Chairs / Faux Roses
Stay Connected for More DIY Inspiration
For more great DIY ideas and home decor inspiration, sign up for our weekly newsletter. Stay up to date on the latest crafts, tips, and projects to keep your home festive all year long.
xoxo, L
Shop My Dining Room
click the image to shop!
