diy: mini pumpkin candle holders

The best DIY’s are those that take little time and effort to whip up and the mini pumpkin taper candle holders I made for yesterday’s Fall table setting are no exception.  These are so easy and add such a whimsical Fall touch to your table or mantle.  All I used were mini pumpkins, my drill and a 3/4 inch spade drill bit, which matched exactly the width of my taper candles:

I love the spade drill bit – it was only $4 at Lowe’s, about $20 less than a regular drill bit at that size and the best part is that is has a sharp tip, which is perfect for getting a hold of the middle of the pumpkin when drilling:

Place the tip of the drill bit in the center of the pumpkin; if there is a stem, remove it with wire cutters. 

Applying light pressure, drill slowly until about a half inch down into the pumpkin.  DO NOT PRESS HARD ON THE DRILL – it will crack your pumpkin!  Also, make sure the pumpkin is on the floor, not in your hand, when drilling:

Using a butter knife, scrape out the pumpkin insides.  Next, I spray paint painted them champagne and metallic gold:

Once the paint is dry, stick your taper candles in and enjoy!  These turned out so beautiful and add such a lovely Fall touch to my dinner table!