Chinese Lantern Display Ideas
Chinese lanterns are a traditional item in Chinese culture used to usher in the Chinese New Year. These traditionally red paper luminaries can be used at anytime during the year to light up the night outside or in your home, and can be purchased or made in virtually any color. Design your own Chinese paper lanterns, or purchase them at a Chinese specialty store or a world goods store. After procuring them, you can go crazy with decorating them. The possibilities are limitless, but here are a few ideas to get you started. Does this Spark an idea?
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The Bedroom
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String several lanterns together using some twine. Make sure the bulbs are all on the same electrical string, if you have bulbs inside of them. Nail the twine to the wall on either side and add a couple of nails in the middle. You can put your string of lanterns over your bed or on a blank wall to add a little drama.
Next to the Window
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Take a piece of twine and string 2-3 lanterns together, tying a knot at the top of each one for extra security. Tie a knot at the top and then nail the knot to the wall so the lanterns are parallel to the vertical side of your window. You can repeat this step on the other side of the window or leave it as is. Lanterns around the window will add much needed spark when night falls.
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In the Trees
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Take your lanterns and attach a piece of twine to each of them separately. Make sure the twine is about 12 inches long. Have a friend help you grab a ladder and tie your lanterns in several places in the tree tree. Make sure you have an extension cord handy to plug them in and place the cord out of the way, where no one will trip on it. Your backyard will look positively magical at night with your lanterns in the trees.
The Solo
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If you make or buy a lantern that is fairly large, you can use it as a standalone statement piece. Nail a molly bolt to your ceiling and tie the lantern string to it so that it hangs nicely in the air. You can also put one on your patio to light up your backyard, but make sure the cord from the inside of the lamp is either taped or stapled to the rafters so that no one trips on them.
Make Your Own
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A great craft for you or your children, you can easily make your own paper lanterns. Kaboose.com and ActivityVillage.co.uk both have great craft ideas for making your own paper lanterns. These websites are great because the lanterns shown can be made as simple or as complex as the maker wishes.
Safety
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Traditional Chinese lanterns were lighted with candles. It is not suggested that you hang up any lanterns with lighted candles inside. If you wish to use candles in your lanterns, it is much safer to then use the lantern as either a centerpiece or a table decoration. It is much safer to purchase cord lights with light bulbs in them. You can buy both candle holders, bulbs and strings of bulbs (for smaller lanterns) at paperlanternstore.com.
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