Advent Is Around the Corner: Make Your Own Christmas Candle Holder from Fir Boughs
November is slowly saying goodbye, and with the first Sunday of Advent begins a season traditionally tied to reflection, anticipation, and quiet joy. Yet in today’s fast-paced world, the days before Christmas tend to fill up with stress. It’s easy to forget about all the beauty around us – colorful leaves, misty mornings, or the cheerful chatter at bird feeders. Even the damp and chilly Czech winter has its own magic.
I’ve always connected with the Scandinavian concept of hygge – the art of finding beauty in every moment. Let’s look for joy wherever it appears: on a walk through the woods, in a cup of hot coffee, or while crafting your own Advent arrangement. The pure scent of evergreens can bring a touch of enchanted forest right into your home and soothe both body and mind.
In this article, I’ll guide you step by step through creating a natural Advent decoration. With a candle holder made of fir boughs, you can enjoy the same peaceful moments Scandinavians love so much.
A Woodland-Scented Advent Candle Holder
A simple table arrangement with one candle is easy to make – just gather what you need. Both tools and materials are readily available. You’ll find greenery and cute embellishments in hobby stores, and many items can even be ordered through grocery delivery.
The base of this natural Christmas decoration is a ceramic candle holder filled with floral foam for fresh arrangements (Florex). We’ll let the foam soak up water so the fir branches stay fresh longer. And speaking of Scandinavia – not only does the idea of hygge come from Denmark, but so do the fir branches (Abies nobilis) we’ll be using for the candle holder.
What You’ll Need
- A low ceramic candle holder or bowl – or a wicker basket with a plastic liner, or even a flowerpot
- Floral foam for fresh flowers (Florex) – it soaks up water and keeps the branches fresh
- Floral wire – for securing the candle and the bow
- A candle – ideally one with a metal spike holder
- Fir branches (Abies nobilis) – the main material
- Garden shears – for trimming the greenery
- Small decorations and natural elements – dried orange slices, wooden stars, ornaments
- Hot glue gun + glue sticks – for attaching decorations
- Satin ribbon – for the bow
- A short battery-operated LED string (optional) – for a gentle glow without lighting the candle
How to Make an Advent Decoration Like a Florist
1. Trim the floral foam
Cut the Florex foam so it fits snugly into your chosen vessel. Make sure to leave enough space to insert both the candle and the branches later. Choose a low, wide bowl, or allow the foam to rise slightly above the rim. Then pour water over the foam and let it soak. Pour out any excess water.
2. Attach the candle
Now secure the candle in the floral foam. The easiest way is with a spike holder. Or – if you’re like me and don’t have one – simply twist together three floral wires and push the candle into the foam using them.
⚠️ Safety note: Once your candle holder is finished, consider whether you even want to light the candle if it’s surrounded by drying greenery. You can leave it as decoration only and rely on the LED lights for glow. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
3. Arrange the fir branches
Working with evergreen branches is my favorite part. Fir branches don’t prick your fingers and smell wonderful. Trim the greenery into similarly sized pieces. Insert the sprigs evenly around the candle into the Florex. At this stage, your fresh-branch candle holder is basically done. You can simply wrap it with LED lights for a minimalist Christmas look.
4. Decorate and finish the candle holder
If you want to decorate it further, hold off on the LED lights for now. Using a hot glue gun, carefully attach your chosen ornaments one by one. Be mindful – the glue is very hot. I chose dried oranges, wooden stars, and small wooden ornaments painted with little woodland animals. I also tucked in a few pistachio-green baubles.
As the final touch, make a bow from satin ribbon. Shape a simple bow by folding the ribbon in your hands, cinch it with floral wire, and insert it into the foam. You can find a bow-making tutorial in this lovely video by Tereza from Srdce z jeřabin. Finally, switch on the LED lights to bring your candle holder to life.
A Natural Color Palette in Gentle Contrast
I styled my Christmas candle holder in natural tones. The creamy white ceramic base and neutral rustic candle allow the deep green fir to shine. For me, the fir is the true star of this decoration. Pearly green baubles and a green satin ribbon keep everything in a harmonious monochrome palette.
Do green and orange go together? Absolutely! Muted forest green paired with the warm tones of dried oranges and wooden stars creates a beautifully balanced, earthy contrast.
I wish you a peaceful Advent season – and may your fir-bough candle holder turn out just the way you imagine!
Do you make your own Christmas decorations? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments. 🎄
