Who is excited for Halloween? ME!!!
I wanted to make some Halloween luminaries for our front walk, and I wanted them to last for more than one night. So…with a 4×4 post and a little paint, I came up with something that I absolutely love! You will not believe how easy and inexpensive these are, so you can make as many or as few as you like. This would make a great Super Saturday project!
In addition to lining a front walk or porch, they would be darling in a window, or lining a tablescape. I used them for a church Christmas party one year, and put them down the center of long tables, along with other decorations. They don’t have to be for Halloween. Think Christmas—how about in each window? Lining a table with greenery and berries? Or a Thanksgiving table? The sky’s the limit!
You can use tea lights, but I highly suggest you use battery operated tea lights, especially if you’re using them indoors, if they’ll have no supervision, if there are children around, or if you tie ribbon around them. So, pretty much every time. :) I used tea lights in my examples because that’s all I had on hand when I was taking pictures, but I will definitely be using the battery operated lights when I display them.
{supplies}
-4×4 post, cut into perfect squares
-1 1/2 inch spade bit, and power drill
-spray paint
-power sander, or lots of sandpaper!
-ribbon and other desired embellishments
{directions}
1. Cut your 4 x 4 post into perfect squares. Remember, the post will not be a 4 inches in width–it will be more like 3.5 inches, or close. Measure the width first, before you cut it into pieces, to make sure that it will be a perfect square.
2. Use your 1 1/2 inch spade bit to drill a hole into the top of each block. This spade bit was around $6 at Home Depot, so very reasonable. They do have some more expensive versions, but this will work just fine!
3. Spray paint your blocks and let dry completely. I like mine distressed, so I took a power sander to them and let some of the wood show through. You can always add a little stain or glaze if you want to–I didn’t have any on hand, so I didn’t. The movers couldn’t pack any of my paint and stain when we moved, and I’m so used to having it our shop, that I forgot I didn’t have any. I like it without, too!
4. Add any embellishments you like! I used my Silhouette to cut out different Halloween designs, and added my favorite polka dot ribbon in orange and black.
{kierste}
katie says
So very cute! Time to cut some wood, charge my drill and get out my drill bits! Thanks for the tutorial :)
lindsey says
These are cute! Just curious what type of post you… is it just a standard 4″x4″ pressure treated post?
simply {kierste} says
It’s actually an untreated post. Our Home Depot sells them, but it can vary from store to store. Sometimes Lowes carries them as well. If I can’t find them, then I do use a treated post.
Katie says
I LOVE these! So darling. I plan on making some for Christmas time!
Amy rohl says
Too spooky cute!!
Eveline van Heijst says
Love it. I like the Silhouette designs you used. I already have most of them in my library.
Eveline.
kellie says
OMGOSH… these are too cute! Thank you so much for sharing this project! I LOVE IT!
Carol says
Those are So fun! Some lucky trick or treaters will have their path lit to your house.
Wendy says
These are super cute! I wonder if mine would turn out as cute! Great inspiration!
Jillian says
Any tips on using a 1 1/2 inch drill bit. I don’t know if my drill just isn’t powerful enough or if it’s user error, but I’m having a hard time drilling the holes. I was barely able to get through one – no blood, or tears, thankfully, but a lot of smoke!!
simply {kierste} says
You probably need a new drill bit. :) I got a new one at Home Depot right before this project for about $6, and it worked great.