May 18, 2011 in diy craft projects, homemade, vintage finds
Flea markets and car boot sales aren’t just great places to pick up things for yourself and your home, they can be great for gifts for friends and family too.
I found these vintage matchboxes recently and they gave me the idea for a sweet little gift for a friend.
I had an unused candle in a glass that was in the back of a cupboard and thought it would be perfect. I looked in my fabric off-cut stash and found a piece of natural coloured linen with a pink floral motif, that picked up on the colours and subject of the illustration on the matchbox I had chosen. I used double-sided tape around the glass to hold it in place. If you use a candle that already has a label on, try scraping it off first or a little white spirit can help remove stubborn glue. (even though they’re old, please remember to take the usual safety precautions with matches and candles though!)
I then found some lilac cotton string that I had and tied it around the glass in a bow. I then wrapped the candle along with the match box in some matching, dusky coloured tissue paper and popped it in a similar coloured gift bag. It’s all very simple to do and makes a sweet little gift that looks pretty, is unique and costs next to nothing!
If you don’t have an old candle, you can pick up basic candles in glass very reasonably in a lot of general high street stores. I know John Lewis do some similar or stock up on your next trip to Ikea (I have bags of their tealights stashed in cupboards!).
When I came across these vintage matchboxes with fab floral illustrations last month, I loved them and at fifty pence each I knew they were worth buying. When I see something at a boot fair like this I usually end up buying it as you never know when you may find something like it again.
It’s perfect as I now have the basis for another three different gifts for friends! Hopefully I’ve shown that for very little you can create a personal, unique gift that your friend will love because you made it just for them.
Would it make you happy to receive something like this from a friend?
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aren’t they lovely boxes! i’ve covered little matchboxes with patterned papers before, i was just thinking of doing this to my kitchen and wood stove boxes, it might look wonderful with a wrapped candle too. sania, have you made candles before? we’ve been planning to do some candle-dipping and pouring. beeswax! x
I haven’t yet but it’s on my list to try at some point!
such pretty vintage matchboxes. I haven’t seen those before. I love the idea of this gift, since I’m a sucker for vintage AND candles!
What a lovely craft idea – mind if I link to it on my blog? I love your blog by the way, I don’t know many British bloggers yet so I’ll definitely be checking back in regularly!
Also do you mind if I ask where the car boot is that you visit? It looks incredible!
Claire
Thank you for linking to me Claire, glad you like it! The boot fair is in west London and on once a month but there are big ones all over if you hunt around.
Hi San, I found your website and blog! Love the candle idea! I’ll need your inspiration when we move house!! x
Hi Sania
I love this post…especially the floral matchboxes. I’m finding your posts so useful and inspiring, that I’ve started printing them out and putting them in a file :-).
Thank you!
I like your blog and your work, it looks clean and fresh.
[…] Love this idea for a vintage wedding favor . . . Posted on May 24, 2011 by My Stylish Wedding via saniapell.com […]
Love this idea! What a lucky find at the boot sale – I’ll keep my eyes open next time I visit our local sale!
Awesome post, I appreciate you taking the time to write this article. I will contine to read your blog regularly from now on! Appreciate it.
“Love this idea! Such a creative and charming way to elevate a simple candle into a thoughtful gift. The vintage matches add a delightful touch of nostalgia. Can’t wait to try this out for my next gifting occasion. Thank you for sharing this wonderful DIY project!”