This little porch project is one of my favorite kinds of DIYs: quick, inexpensive, and somehow it looks like you fussed over it way more than you actually did. I’m turning old glass mason jars and dollar store faux berry picks into full, colorful fall candle rings that wrap right around the jars, so you end up with a cozy lantern-style accent that looks perfect on steps, a small table, or tucked beside a pumpkin stack.
I especially love this one for busy weeks, because it uses just two main items and doesn’t require any special crafting skill. If you’ve got a few saved jars in the cabinet like I always do, you can make a pair in one evening and instantly make your porch feel pulled together for fall.
Materials
2 clear glass mason jars, pint-size, 16 ounces each
Instructions
1. Wash and dry the mason jars well, then remove any dust or sticky residue so the finished candle rings look clean and polished on the porch.
2. Trim the faux berry picks into shorter wired sprigs, keeping most pieces between 4 and 6 inches long so they curve easily around the jars.
3. Gather 5 to 6 sprigs into a loose bundle for the first jar, fanning the berries so the bundle looks full rather than flat.
4. Hold that bundle against the outside middle of the jar and wrap floral wire around the stems and jar two or three times, twisting it tightly at the back to anchor the first section.
5. Add more sprigs one at a time, overlapping the stems as you go, until the berry ring wraps fully around the jar and looks thick from every angle.
6. Bend and fluff the berry branches outward, filling gaps and layering the colors so the ring looks generous and rounded instead of tight and skimpy.
7. Cut a 20-inch length of jute twine, wrap it around the wired stem area once or twice, and tie a simple bow or knot to hide the wire and add a finished porch-friendly touch.
8. Repeat the same process for the second jar, using the remaining berry picks and checking both jars side by side so they look balanced as a pair.
9. Drop one battery tea light into each jar and switch them on to test the glow; if any stems shift, secure them with a tiny dot of hot glue on the back side only.
Variations & Tips
Make them taller: Quart-size mason jars work beautifully if you want more height on porch steps; just plan on using 7 to 8 berry picks per jar for the same lush look.
Add more texture: Tuck in a couple of faux maple leaves, tiny pinecones, or wheat stems if you already have them in your fall bin, but keep the mason jar and berry ring clearly visible.
Use the right light: I always use battery tea lights for porch decorating because they’re easy, safe, and still give that warm cozy glow through the glass at night.
Hide the mechanics: Twist all wire ends toward the back of the jar, then cover that spot with the twine wrap so the finished piece looks neat from the front and sides.
Style as a set: These look best in pairs or trios with different heights nearby, so I like to place them next to pumpkins, lanterns, or a potted mum to make the whole porch corner feel intentional.
Prep ahead: If you’re squeezing this into a worknight like I usually am, cut all the berry sprigs first and sort them into two equal piles before you start wrapping; it makes assembly go much faster.