Upcycle an Old Cake Pan Into a Christmas Candle Ring Centerpiece

Got a past-its-prime Bundt or tube cake pan taking up space in your cabinet? In just a few steps, you can upcycle it into a cheery Christmas centerpiece to brighten up your holiday table all season long.

Pink Christmas Table Setting With DIY Candle Ring Centerpiece

Pink Christmas Table Setting With DIY Candle Ring Centerpiece

Got a past-its-prime Bundt or tube cake pan taking up space in your cabinet? In just a few steps, you can upcycle it into a cheery Christmas centerpiece to brighten up your holiday table all season long.

Photo by: Derek Trimble; Styling by H. Camille Smith

Derek Trimble; Styling by H. Camille Smith

Follow H. on:

Related To:

Materials Needed

  • clean, Bundt or tube cake pan
  • assorted glass or shatterproof ornaments in colors of your choice (we used shades of pink and gold)
  • large gold pinecone ornaments (or similar long and slim ornaments)
  • dark green spray paint
  • faux evergreen foliage
  • hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • battery-operated candle a bit smaller than cake pan’s center
  • tarp or paper to protect work surface
  • scissors

1. Paint Cake Pan

Protect work surface with a drop cloth or paper, then coat all sides of the pan’s exterior with dark green spray paint. Allow to dry.

2. Temporarily Place Candle

Insert your chosen battery-operated candle in the cake ring's center to determine how much space around the ring's center you'll need to leave undecorated so the candle can be inserted later. Remove candle.

Photo by: Derek R. Trimble

Derek R. Trimble

3. Begin Attaching Greenery

Pull off (or cut, if necessary) small sections of greenery from a faux evergreen branch (Image 1). Remembering how much space you can decorate around the candle ring's center, begin attaching greenery sections to the top of the ring with hot glue (Image 2). To create a rounded, wreath-like shape, bend the greenery over the pan's sides and hot-glue, then hold, in place (Image 3).

4. Continue Adding Greenery

Working your way around the pan's top (Image 1), then continuing onto the sides, add more greenery, evenly spacing it as you go and gluing on the side pieces between the sections you added to the top (Image 2). Note: Evenly space greenery as you go but don't worry about covering the entire cake ring at this point.

5. Add Largest Ornaments to Top

Add hot glue around the top of a large ornament (Image 1), then press in place, nestling it between two of the top greenery sections (Image 2). Hold in place while the glue sets up, then continue adding large ornaments next to each of the evenly spaced greenery sections (Image 3).

6. Add Medium Ornaments

Add hot glue to the medium-sized ornaments and place them next to the greenery covering the candle ring's top and a bit onto the sides (Image 1). Work your way around the ring (Image 2), adding medium size ornaments till you're happy with the design.

7. Fill In With Small Greenery Sections

Before moving to the smallest ornaments, fill in any large gaps between the medium and large ornaments with smaller greenery sections, cutting them to size with scissors (Image 1). Use hot glue to attach these small sections next to each of the medium and large ornaments (Image 2).

8. Add Smallest Ornaments

Fill in any gaps between the large and medium ornaments, around the ring's top and sides, with mini ornaments in your chosen color palette (Image 1). If necessary, use scissors to cut even smaller sections of faux greenery to fill in any remaining holes (Image 2).

9. Finish Filling In Sides

Finally, Add gold pinecone ornaments (or similar long, slim ornaments) to the candle ring's sides. Step back, focusing on any large holes, then fill in any remaining gaps with more medium-size ornaments or small bits of greenery.

Photo by: Derek R. Trimble

Derek R. Trimble

10. Place on Table + Add Flameless Candle

Time to show off your handiwork! Place the finished candle ring at the center of your holiday table, add the battery-operated pillar candle and enjoy a colorful Christmas centerpiece that requires no maintenance to keep its cheery good looks all season long and that you can display year after year (Images 1-3).

Next Up

Create Your Own Party-Perfect Charcuterie + Cheese Board

Whip up an inexpensive wood conditioner and sealant to turn a hardwood board into a foodsafe surface for feeding a crowd.

Make a Rustic Holiday Star From Paint Sticks and Jute

This inexpensive holiday star made from paint sticks and jute adds rustic charm to any holiday decor.

Classic Gingerbread Recipe

Perfect for turning into either gingerbread men or the walls of a house, this recipe has just the right amount of spice. The texture is moister than an animal cracker but decidedly denser and more biscuit-like than a typical cookie. For a simple decorating idea, make cookies that look like brown paper packages tied up in string. Simply cut the rolled dough into squares, bake and cool, then pipe on thin lines for the crossed string and bow.

Cinnamon Orange Palmiers Recipe

Palmiers are quite fun to make and even more fun to eat. This recipe alone is reason enough to keep a package of good puff pastry in your freezer at all times. Wrapped up with a bit of holiday ribbon, they make a delicious homemade holiday gift.

How to Hang Christmas Garland Around the Front Door

Evergreen garlands are a classic way to deck out your entryway for Christmas. They're simple to hang and provide a festive welcome throughout the entire holiday season and even into the new year. Use real or artificial greenery depending on your climate and what is locally available.

3 Ways to Turn Buffalo Plaid Scarves Into DIY Holiday Decor

Give new life to your old buffalo plaid scarves by upcycling them into budget-friendly holiday decorations.

How to Give Your Christmas Tree a Rainbow-rific Makeover

Put a trendy, rainbow-inspired spin on your fresh or faux Christmas tree this year without emptying your pockets.

3 Crafty Christmas Tree Toppers

This holiday season, skip readymade and get crafty to make one of these DIY tree toppers.

Transform Potted Evergreens Into Front Porch Holiday Gnomes

Festive up your front porch by turning potted evergreen trees into a pair of holiday gnomes that are as cute as they are Christmassy.

Quickly Craft These Christmasy Taper Candle Rings

Give your everyday taper candles a holiday makeover in just a few minutes by dressing up plain napkin rings with hot glue and faux evergreens.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

About HGTV

HGTV’s expert editors and writers share home decorating, garden and home improvement ideas, inspiration and advice based on our brand’s 30+ years of expertise and experience. We also give you the latest updates on HGTV shows and stars, cleaning tips and shopping recommendations. Learn more about us and our editorial standards.