Woman Turns Thrifted Candle Holders Into The Cutest Outdoor Solar Lights

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By day, your backyard has personality. Then the sun goes down, and suddenly it's pitch black or has the same string of bistro bulbs you've seen on every other patio. If that's your current setup, there's not necessarily anything wrong with it. But if you're looking for outdoor lighting fixtures that will bring character to your yard, try the thrift store for some candle holders. A few secondhand metal holders can turn basic solar lights into something you won't see in any other yard.

In a YouTube video, creator LizFenwickDaily pairs thrifted hanging candle holders with solar lights from Dollar Tree. Her project upgrades simple stake solar lights by giving them a place to hang and finishing them with metallic gold spray paint. The lights are perfect for hanging over a fence as the creator does, or off your porch railing. You'll need to pick a spot where the solar panels can get daylight, but the options are pretty endless.

To make your own, look for sturdy metal candle holders with curved hanging hooks and a flat spot where the solar lights can sit. You can source these at the thrift store, estate sales, or your local flea market. You can also try Facebook Marketplace or eBay and Etsy for cute vintage candle holders. Fenwick uses wire cutters to shorten a metal piece on each holder, plus E6000 and hot glue to attach the lights. Also, be sure to use spray paint suitable for outdoor use.

To upgrade your Dollar Tree outdoor solar lights, start by removing the stakes and checking how each light fits on its candle holder. The creator then uses wire cutters to shorten a piece of metal on the holder that is meant to stick into a wax candle. If yours needs the same adjustment, don't trim it off completely — you want some of it to be able to stick into the base of the solar light.

Clean and dry the holders, then give them a coat of outdoor spray paint. Fenwick goes with metallic gold, but this is your chance to make this your own. If you want the lights themselves to match, paint only the removable trim, keeping the solar panel, switch, and lens clear so they function properly. Let the paint completely dry before assembling.

If the light has a switch, make sure you turn each one on before attaching it to the holder, especially if the switch will be hard to reach afterward. Use a dab of hot glue to hold the lights in place at the center of the base, finishing it with something stronger like E6000 and letting it cure completely. Once everything is dry and secure, use the curved hooks to hang them from sturdy hardware along a fence that gets direct sun. Since they'll be exposed to the elements, you should use a sealant or protectant, such as the Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Corrosion Inhibitor Spray. Space them evenly for a neat row, or hang a pair on either side of the garden gate for a little glow right where you walk in. They can also be hung on a tree, but if you have a bird feeder you must ensure your lights are tilted downwards, as upward-facing solar lights can cause immense distress to birds.