Christmas

A stunning, simple-to-make table centrepiece

It’s the candelabra that will light up your festive season – with a touch of Scandi style
Getty Images

Bring the charm of candlelight and appealing metallic shimmer to your Christmas table with an easy-to-DIY centrepiece, handmade using readily available timber dowel and copper hardware. Create one, two or more – you can even adjust the design to make a long, narrow rectangle piece. Once you’re done, your handiwork is a brag-worthy talking point for any festive gathering in your home.

Gather your supplies

Here’s how

STEP 1

Measure and use pencil to mark dowel into 8 lengths of 120mm. Use handsaw and mitre box to neatly cut each piece at marked positions.

STEP 2

Using this picture as a guide, assemble candelabra by slotting ends of dowel into the copper components. Elbows go in the corners, while tees go between each two side lengths. If you wish, you can add a dab of hot glue to the end of each dowel before slotting into the copper components to help secure the assembly while you fit it together.

STEP 3

Slot the final length of dowel into the candelabra assembly and trim the dowel a little shorter for a snug fit if necessary. Place candles in the upward-facing openings of the tees. If required, use a utility knife to shave down the ends of the candles and place them in the openings.

Tips

1. If you choose copper elbows and tees of a narrower or wider diameter, simply adjust the diameter of the dowel to suit.

2. You can adjust the finished shape from a square to a rectangle by shortening the dowel lengths at two ends and lengthening the dowel along the remaining two sides.

3. Mix up the look by using near-straight dried tree branches – just whittle the ends to allow a neat fit within the copper components.

Candelabra
Place your finished candelbra in the centre of your festive table and tie napkins with twine, trimmed with a personalised miniature bauble for each guest. (Credit: Getty Images)

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