The “Candle Plate” Method Is a Way to Get the Most Shocking Decor

Candles are always a good idea when setting the table for a dinner party. They add a level of ambiance that is simply unmatched (and, in my opinion, the vibes make food taste better). Rather than throwing a few trendy tapers into whatever candle holders you have lying around, though, you might want to take a page from this Instagrammer’s book by upgrading to a “candle plate.” This candle burning solution is homey, eclectic, and an instant conversation piece. All you have to do to put one together is visit your local thrift store.

“This is how I make my candle plates,” Instagram user Halez Garcia said in a recent video. “The thrift shop that I usually go to always has crystalware, and it’s super cheap.”

Garcia purchased a collection of various crystal pieces, including goblets, bowls, cups, and a crystal plate, to form the foundation of her “candle plate.” Simply arrange the crystal pieces on the plate to give yourself a variety of vessels with different heights, which creates a dynamic, layered look. Then add your taper candles to the vessels, making sure each is secure in its glass holder.

Garcia says the key to her candle plates is Hippy Drippy candles, which she buys from Amazon. “They drip really, really well,” she said. However, you can achieve the same results with regular taper candles you already have on hand. “The trick to getting these to drip is that you’re going to take a knife and slice down [from the tip of your candle].”

Light one of your tapers and start dripping hot wax into the bottom of the cups and bowls to add your candles to your crystal pieces. Then, stick your unlit tapers into the melted wax to secure the taper into place. (This trick helps to keep the candles upright, so you won’t have a fire hazard on your hands). 

“You can kind of test how [stuck] they are by just barely wiggling them,” Garcia says of the taper candles. “If they feel super wiggly, then you probably need to just take it off, add more wax, and make sure it has a really good seal at the bottom.”

Finally, you can light your tapers, and let them do their thing! You’ll be left with a drippy, waxy waterfall that looks like something out of a fantasy movie. Use all different colored candles to get a super-eclectic look, or stick with white or cream to make the candle plate look more elegant.

When your candles have burned out, you can put your crystal pieces in the freezer to make popping out the melted wax less time-consuming. Hit the thrift store to find a bunch of crystal pieces and taper candles to make your whimsical candle plate, and wow your guests at your next dinner party. The ambiance will be out of this world!