Many, if not most of us, use candles in our homes - for ambiance and scent as well as for utility in the case of power outages. But no matter what type of candles we use, they still need to be lit somehow. So how do you light your candles? 

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Candles can create an elegant atmosphere in any home. Candles can also add warmth and that elusive "hygge" factor to any room, especially in the winter. 

We certainly have modern ways to light our candles with both butane and rechargeable lighters. I normally use a disposable butane lighter with a bendable or flex-wand neck.

But there's something to be said for using traditional, old school matches, although the boxes they come in don't exactly rise to the level of decor. By creating an elegant, tabletop matchstick holder you can up your game when it comes to candle-related decor.

Similar to my DIY decorative tissue holder, this matchstick holder trick has been around for a while -- but it's new to me, so here we go. 

The options for containers to hold your matchsticks are endless -- anything with a lid that you find pleasingly decorative enough to display on your coffee table will work. (Or even without a lid as I'll explain below.)

And since I'm a thrifter, my first container of choice is an elegant thrifted glass sugar bowl with lid. You can find these lovely glass containers at most thrift stores for only a few dollars. That's a win-win in my book!

BUT you can also use something as simple as a vintage crystal toothpick holder! I started collecting them years ago, thinking they were taper candle holders (oops). 

Since wooden match sticks come in a few different sizes, you'll just need to find the matches that best fit inside your chosen container. I used the smallest match sticks I could find to put into these toothpick holders.

And as for the match striker, you can either:

• cut the existing striker off the original box and glue it (with serious nonflammable glue like Gorilla Glue or E6000) to the bottom of your container (as I did; see above photo), or   

• buy match striker paper and/or stickers online and attach them instead (I would recommend this for the much smaller toothpick holders)

Just be sure to hold the lid and/or top of the container securely with one hand while you strike the match with your other hand so you don't lose all your matches!

It's a super simple and inexpensive DIY decor hack that you can make for yourself, or as personalized handmade gifts for friends and family! For gifting, before placing it in a gift box, I draped a simple velvet ribbon around the lid which added just the right touch! And don't forget to add a special candle as part of the gift!!

NOTE: Be sure to remove the velvet ribbon before striking any matches! 

Also, be super safe no matter the size of the candles used -- keep an eye on them at all times, and be sure to keep them away from flammable items, children and pets -- and follow all warmings and burning instructions listed on the candle.  

And don't think you can't display long reach matches decoratively as well. Ideally, you'll use a tall container, like a pitcher, to display them on a shelf, side table or coffee table.

It was a no-brainer that I would use my vintage chinoiserie teapot to display my long reach matches. I chose to use the teapot even though I knew the matches would still stick out at the top. 

You could just as easily cut down the matches to fit the container, or insert them into the container upside down so as not to show the colored tips as I have done in the above photo. 

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