Things You'll Need:
- Your choice of one: tealight candle, votive candle, battery-powered candle or battery-powered twinkle lights.
- Matches or batteries
- Tongs
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Step 1
Decide what kind of lights you would like to use in your star-shaped lantern. Tealight candles are popular and probably the most common lighting choice for metal lanterns, but votive candles last longer and are easier to place. Battery-operated candles and twinkle lights are also two good choices. Today's battery-operated candles do a good job of mimicking real candles and are much safer and easier to use. Twinkle lights, such as those found at Christmastime give a unique look to your metal star-shaped lantern, and can be placed in different patterns for different looks.
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Step 2
Open the lantern and figure out where your candle or lights will go. Before lighting the candle, or actually placing it in the lantern, figure out exactly how the lantern opens and where you will be placing the light. Determine whether you can place it in the lantern with your hand, or whether you will need to use tongs. Also, if you are considering using a votive candle, make sure it will fit.
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Step 3
Light the candle or turn on the battery-operated candle or twinkle lights. Due to the tight space, most of the time it's easier to light the candle and then place it in the lantern. The same goes for battery-operated lights, because it's almost impossible to use the tiny on and off switches once they are inside.
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Step 4
Place the light inside the star-shaped lantern. Using the tongs as necessary, carefully place the candle or lights inside the lantern. If you are using candles, be sure there is enough space above the flame. Also, be careful not to tip the candles and drip hot wax onto yourself. Sit back and enjoy the beautiful light from your metal star-shaped lantern.
