Anthropologie’s Icon Pumpkin Taper Candles are adorable, but at $36 for just two, they’re a splurge. I decided to make my own DIY version for a fraction of the cost. The best part? Instead of attaching faux pumpkins, I used colored hot glue sticks to create mini pumpkins directly on the taper candles. The result looks just like the Anthropologie version, but with a handmade twist that’s budget-friendly and so satisfying to make.

Supplies You’ll Need

(Shop the supplies here)

• White flameless taper candles
• Orange hot glue sticks
• Green hot glue sticks (for stems)
• Hot glue gun
• Craft mat or parchment paper

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep Your Candles

Start with plain white taper candles. Place them on a flat surface covered with parchment paper or a craft mat.

2. Make the Pumpkins

Insert an orange glue stick into your glue gun. Carefully squeeze out a small round dot of glue directly onto the candle surface. Build it up with one or two more dots until it forms a rounded little pumpkin shape.

3. Add the Stem

Switch to a green glue stick. Squeeze a tiny bit of glue on top of each pumpkin to create the stem. Keep them small so the proportions stay cute and dainty.

4. Repeat Down the Candle

Continue adding pumpkins evenly spaced down the taper candle until you achieve the Anthropologie look. Rotate the candle as you go to add pumpkins on all sides.

5. Let Set & Display

Allow the glue to cool completely. Once hardened, your pumpkins will be securely attached to the candle. Place them in your favorite holders and enjoy your festive dupe!

Tips for Success

• Use low-temp glue sticks if possible to avoid excess melting or sliding.
• If you make a mistake, peel the glue pumpkin off while it’s still warm and try again.
• Mix up your colors—add gold or white pumpkins for a modern twist.

Why This DIY is a Perfect Dupe

• Budget-friendly: Supplies cost a fraction of the Anthropologie set.
• Creative: Making your pumpkins from colored glue feels like a craft hack you’ll want to use again.
• Customizable: Choose different candle colors, pumpkin sizes, or even add glitter glue for sparkle.

The Cost Breakdown

One of my favorite parts of this DIY is the price. Anthropologie’s version costs $36 for a set of two, but by making them myself, each candle came out to around $5 apiece, and even less if you already own a glue gun or candle holders. That means you can make a whole set for the price of just one Anthro candle, giving you the same chic fall look without the splurge.

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