How many times have you been in this position, you need a group gift for people and you didn’t want to spend a ton of money? Probably every year! This year I’ve decided to help by showing you how to make a ridiculously easy and cheap DIY gift. This is a group gift that is cute and practical.
You can make my washi tape-wrapped tea lights and matchbox tin set for your co-workers, friends, family members, church group, party favors, wedding favors, and neighbors. And all for $0.88 per set. HEY! Cheap and fun.
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How to make washi-wrapped tea lights and matchbox tin set for a group gift
Here’s what you’ll need to make these little gems:
Tea lights: I found my on sale at Fred Meyers but there are bags of 100 on sale at Michaels and you can use a coupon there if they’re not on sale. You can also buy them on Amazon. Here’s the link for Amazon.
Washi tape: I have figured out that the standard-size tea light takes about 5 inches of tape per tea light. That means if you buy 10m or 32.8 ft of tape you can cover 72 tea lights. My favorite washi tape shop (604stationary) on Etsy sells most of their washi tape for $0.75 per roll. The ideal width of washi tape is 15mm. That will ensure that it the tape covers the outside of the tea light.
Matches: I buy mine at Target in a pack of 300 for $0.92 a box. That means if you buy the tins I recommend you will be able to fit 25 matches per tin.
Tins: The best place to buy these tins is from PaperMart. They have the best prices (0.64 per tin) and the quality is great.
Cute cardstock: I love to match the cardstock as best as I can to my washi tape, but honestly you can omit it entirely if you choose.
Glue gun: That trusty old glue gun is what you will need to glue the match-striking paper to the outside of the tin.
Match strike paper: This is totally optional. I don’t think that you will need extra striking paper if you are doing a good job of cutting up the one that comes on the matchbox itself.
Rubbing Alcohol: The outside of the tea lights needs a good cleaning to remove extra wax that may be of the outside of them. I just used paper towels and a little rubbing alcohol to remove any wax crumbs that were on the outside. Buy this at a regular store like Target, Walmart, or Dollar Tree.
Kitchen shears: If you decide to make the match tins then you will need something to trim a tiny bit of the match ends off. I found that my kitchen sheers worked like a charm!
HOW TO MAKE THESE TEA LIGHTS AND MATCHBOX TINS Group gift:
Begin by giving your tea lights a good cleaning. Make sure to get all the wax from around the outside of the candle.
Wrap your washi tape around the outside of the candle. Make sure to press it down really well.
AND THE TEA LIGHTS ARE DONE. Yeah, seriously. I feel like this is not a DIY. Anywho. Now you have time to make a cute little match tin to go along with your tea lights.
If you are choosing to add a cute paper to the inside of the tin just take the tin apart and trace the bottom of the tin on your paper. Cut out your template and dry-fit it into the tin. I found that I had to trim the paper a little to make it fit really well. Use this as your template and trace and cut as many pieces as you need.
Add the paper into the bottom of the tin and add your matches. Wooden matches JUST fit inside the tin, after a tiny trim. I used a good pair of kitchen shears to trim the ends off of all the matches.
Now cut apart the matchbox and cut up the match strike paper to fit on the larger end of the tin. Make sure that you put the match tops on the opposite end where you put the striker. I just think that it makes sense to not put it in the same area.
If you are gifting these little guys add them to a cute package, like a cello bag or a glassine envelope.
Woo hoo. If you make these and follow my tips for purchasing you will be able to make a set of three candles with the tin for 30 people at $0.88 per person. What a steal.
*I live in Oregon where we don’t pay sales tax.*
Tea lights: $3.00 (if purchased from Michaels with a 40% off coupon. Regular price $5.00 for a pack of 100)
Washi Tape: $0.75 per roll from my favorite washi tape Etsy shop 604stationary.
Tin: $0.64 per tin if purchased from PaperMart.
Matches: $0.92 per pack if purchased from Target.
Total for 3 tea lights and a matchbox tin per person (30 people) = $0.88 per person
These simple and cute tea lights are a great little gift now, during the holiday season, and all year around! Maybe you need a little something extra? Try making my DIY lemon sugar cubes. Add the tea lights and a couple of bags of tea and you’ve set someone up for a cozy winter afternoon.
Love this soooooo much! Thanks for the idea!
Yay! Thanks. But you really are the best! ❤️❤️❤️
I do love tins, but this late in the season, I might just cover the match book top and bottom w the cute cardstock. It won’t be as nifty, but…shipping time is narrowing. Thanks for another great idea!
YES that’s true about the shipping time! But the great thing about this gift is it’s versatily. So maybe make them for a party favor or wedding? Right… Thank you Ann!!!❤️
Oh what a neat idea Melissa. I think I’ll make a few for our book club next month. We’ve been having a lot of load shedding here in South Africa and these will go down a treat.
Thank you Michelle. These little candles are so cute and useful. I hope you can find all the materials as cheap as I did in South Africa?