How to Make a Homemade Lantern for Around the House

Make paper lanterns that are safe to use.

Chinese paper lanterns are a beautiful way to decorate your home, garden or porch. You can make batches of lanterns fairly quickly, allowing you to decorate a large space in a short span of time. These lanterns use a drinking glass to safely separate the lit candle from the decorative paper. The glass is not seen, so you can use inexpensive glasses from a thrift shop or those that you already have on hand at home.

Things You'll Need

• String
• Scissors
• Clear tape
• Fabric tape measure
• Heavy paper
• Ribbon
• Glue
• Tea candle

Instructions

1. Cut an 18-inch piece of string and tie a knot at each end.

2. Tape the ends of the string to the top of a cylindrical drinking glass with several loops of clear tape. The knots should be tied below the tape.

3. Measure the height and circumference of the glass with a fabric tape measure.

4. Cut a rectangular piece of heavy paper that is a half-inch wider than the circumference, and three inches taller than the height of the glass. Use the paper color and design of your choice.

5. Fold the paper in half lengthwise.

6. Cut a slit every half-inch along the folded edge of the paper. These slits should go straight down and stop a half-inch before reaching the bottom.

7. Unfold the paper and wrap it around the glass, lining up the top and bottom edges so the middle flares out.

8. Tape the paper to the glass with clear tape.

9. Cut two pieces of decorative ribbon that match the circumference of the glass. Glue these around the glass at the top and bottom, forming decorative bands and hiding the tape.

10. Place a lit tea candle in the glass and hang the lantern from its string loop.