In a recent post, I alluded to the fact that I have become obsessed with stick matches lately, so today I’m going to give you some ideas to incorporate matches not only into your decorating, but for gift giving as well. If you missed the post about one of the ways I used matches, you can read it here: Holiday 5-in-5…

My matchstick journey started with a trip in October to visit my sister on the west side of Washington State. While in one of her favorite marine supply/antique stores in Anacortes, we saw these cute glass vials with cork stoppers. We thought they would be the perfect vessel for matchsticks, and an idea was born.

Okay friends, before I go much further, I’ve got to say it. If you have small children, please do not leave matches out where they can reach them! Now, back to the post…

First, I collected various vases, bottles and vials that would hold different sizes of matches. That was the easy part. The next challenge was trying to figure out what to use as strikers for the bottoms. Of course when you buy a large box of matches, there are strikers on the side or bottom of the box that can be cut out and affixed to the container using glue or double sided tape.

For some of the more delicate vials and small vases, I went to internet to look for ready-made strikers, and low and behold they sell self adhesive strikers in almost every size. Game changer! I ordered a package of ten small circle strikers, and I was off to the races. For the glass vials we found, I was able to use medium sized matches and affix the striker to the bottom. Paired with a pretty candle, this makes a lovely gift.

For Christmas, I used the vials of matches and a coordinating candle in both a metal tin and a box that is really meant for treats. They each held the candle and matches perfectly. It amazes me that you can take a Dollar Tree tin and candle, a small corked bottle filled with simple matches, add some shredded filler, and you can create a presentation that looks like much more.

After telling my mother that I had gone somewhat matchstick crazy, she spotted a small crystal pitcher on her dining room shelf and gave it to me to use. With a circle striker on the bottom, it works great! For the holidays, I filled it with red and green matches, making this pretty enough to leave out on a credenza near a candle, ready to light in an instant. So much more attractive than a flame thrower.

Once I started down the rabbit hole of matches in vases, I found that there are matchsticks available in almost every color and size. Apparently, they are popular for use at weddings, and the bottles are often embellished with the bride and groom’s name and wedding date. My sister had the idea of adding cut up music sheets or old book pages and tying them around the middle of the bottle to make them nicer, so I tried that on one of the vials.

The possibilities for adding interest to the bottles or vases are unlimited, and I ordered some sealing wax and seals for this project, and will use it for letters and other projects down the road. When the set of wax arrived, it was so beautiful, it was like a piece of art. I do need to perfect my sealing wax method a bit, but what a fun way to give the bottle some real pizzazz.

I hope I’ve given you some inspiring ideas to display and use matches in your decor, as well as gift giving. There is something about elevating a humble object like matches and pairing them with something refined like a crystal vase or corked bottle that I like. It is also fun to take a ready-made item like a candle and pair it with a homemade creation to create something that is unexpected and special. And I’d call that a perfect match!

Good tidings,

Diane