Matches sometimes get a bad rep for being outdated—but there are many unusual uses for matches. Matches are still popular forms of fire-starting and have more applications than you may think. Check out some of the most unusual ways to use matches.
Lantern lighting
Matches are very commonly used to light candles, but have you ever lit a lantern with a match? Whether you simply want to give your home a classic old-world charm or if you genuinely need a lantern to see outdoors at night, matches will keep the rustic aesthetic alive.
Crafts
There are tons of crafts you can do with matches. You can work matches into art and sculpt with them. Because of their small shape, they are easy to use for larger shapes with more intricate details. A fun craft is to line up matches, standing up straight, into a letter. Glue them down to a board and light the matches briefly. This creates a fun burn effect to make your letter (or word—if you’re feeling really crafty), look rustic.
A fun craft you can do with the matchboxes you may have left over is to turn them into fun stone pets for your kids! Have your children pick out a rock and decorate it to be a small pet, such as bunny ears or a glued-on beak. Then have your child decorate the matchbox to look like a home for the rock. Store their new rock-buddy inside the matchbox for a fun, portable toy.
Smoking
Whatever you prefer to smoke, matches are perfect for lighting it. The single-use, easy-to-manipulate flames are perfect for lighting anything from a standard cigarette to a special-occasion cigar—and more. Yes, lighters are more commonly used today—but nothing beats the classic cigar smoke, lit with a traditional safety cigar match.
Survival
If you’re living off the land, whether for a lifestyle change or a simple camping trip, matches are essential to your survival kit. Because they are single-use and made of wood, they can simply be thrown into the flames once the fire is lit—eliminating both waste and weight. Matches are best for survival because they don’t malfunction, can be struck on almost any surface, and are able to start both large fires for warmth and small fires for cooking.
With so many common uses for matches, the possibilities are truly endless. If you love to participate in match crafting, or if you’re a business that needs to light plenty of candles or fireplaces, look into buying match boxes wholesale. This can save you time and money shopping for matches!