How to Make a Lantern at Home!
Travel makes me think of lights: glittering, romantic displays of lights like the ones I saw at holiday festivals in Italy, or night markets in Thailand.
“Why,” I’ve been wondering since returning to Boston after traveling around the world, “do gorgeous public light displays like that not exist back home?” This month I finally figured out the answer: The pretty lights are here, but I’ve been too lazy to find them!
The Boston Lantern Parade and Festival
I learned this lesson just a few weeks ago, one cold night in Boston. My baby was playing with a hair clip (an educational toy, right?), and I was curled like a hedgehog the couch. Suddenly, my phone started vibrating repeatedly.
“Are you coming to the Lantern Festival in Jamaica Plain?” friends were texting.
“Argh.” I responded. “It’s too cold outside, and I’m lazy and cozy! (Colazy?)”
Homemade Lanterns Around Jamaica Pond
As the festival drew to a close, my friends’ texts grew more urgent. “The Lantern Festival almost over!” they text-screamed. “You need to see it!” At last I grumbled, threw on a hat, and strapped the baby to my chest to brave the New England chill. I arrived at Jamaica Pond with half an hour to spare.
Colorful Lanterns Displayed Outside
As you can see from these photos, it was worth it to get off my couch. Though the wind and elapsed hours had extinguished some of the candles, dozens of colorful hand-made lanterns still winked from their strings.
I admit to knowing nothing about the festival before I trotted over, so it was with curiosity that I peered closer — creative and frugal teacher that I am — trying to figure out how the colorful lights were made.
How to Make a Lantern Festival in YOUR Town
It turns out that this beautiful lantern festival would be easy to re-create in your town with some simple crafting. The only materials needed to make the lanterns are: large plastic soda bottles cut in half, tissue paper, glue, and candles!
The Jamaica Plain Lantern Festival also features live music, dancing, and hot apple cider, but if you start your own light festival in your town, methinks you could just put up the lanterns, play some recorded music, and people would still feel the joy. Does this seem like something you’d enjoy creating?
What Art Projects Can YOU Create at Home?
Walking home after the festival with my baby snoring softly on my chest, I chuckled at how I’d almost missed a great thing. We sally forth to all corners of the globe to see foreign festivals, but sometimes forget the ones we have right at home, or the art we can rally our community to create, ourselves!
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How to Make a Lantern
Lantern Crafting Materials:
- Colorful tissue paper! Click to check deals on Amazon
- Inexpensive white candles or these great electric candles
- Simple craft glue and a paintbrush to apply it
- Sturdy scissors to cut the top off the bottles
- Craft wire and a hole puncher to make holes in the bottle for the wire handle
- 2 liter bottles: Click for Amazon Pantry delivery deals
Instructions to Create the Lanterns:
1. Wash the 2 liter bottles and cut off the tapered tops.
2. Cut the tissue paper into desired shapes and apply it to the dry bottles using glue on a paintbrush.
3. Optional: Decorate on top of the tissue paper using paint and/or permanent markers.
4. Glue the wax or plastic candle to the bottom of the bottle and let dry.
5. Punch holes into the upper lip of the cut bottles and string the wire through the holes.
6. Light (or turn on) the candle, hang or hold the lantern, and enjoy its beauty!
So there you have it. If you try making these lanterns, do leave your advice in the comments section for how to make them maximally fabulous!
See 40 more art prompts and drawing inspiration here!
Enjoy quirky local festivals? Check out this hilarious dogs-in-costumes fashion competition.
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Jean-Marie says
This is incredible! What a beautiful and special idea! Added bonus is that it seems extremely easy to make with simple tools most gave around the house. This gives me a great idea for New Years Eve!
Lillie Marshall says
Fabulous!
Anna says
I totally love this idea!
Amy says
Looks like a fun project that can really be something great depending on your tissue paper (or paper napkins–lots of pretty option with them as well.)
My only question would be how to light the candles? Our DollarTree sells battery candles but I’m not sure how you would turn them on once they’re inside the bottle. I think perhaps flipping it upside down to get the (loose–not glued) battery out and then reinstalling upright using a long chopstick or something like that would work well. Just a thought…
Lillie Marshall says
Great question! There are a few ways you can do it. My father-in-law cut out the bottom and rigged an opening and closing system for it. You can also create a little holding space (or cradle) to drop the fake candle into once you turn it on. The sky’s the limit for options!
Ashley Johnson says
I liked that you said that one thing to consider when you are in need of lanterns for your backyard is to gather inspiration from around the world to find lanterns that will add culture to your outdoor space. I have been thinking about getting new lanterns to hang up in my backyard so that I can enjoy them during the summer months but I have been unsure as to which kind to purchase. I will be sure to consider buying lanterns that are made in the image of different countries and cultures to help me feel like I’m in a dream destination.
Tracey says
Fab idea we will use for a Cub camp but battery candles for safety although can’t glue them in place as switch is usually on the bottom but at least they are safe so colourful and another way to recycle / re-use plastics well done
Lillie Marshall says
So glad this idea will be of use! Agreed that electric candles make more sense for safety, though this festival does use fire. Maybe there are some electric candles you can find that have switches on the side? Or perhaps an adhesive can be rigged that allows the candle to flip up to turn on? Good luck, and enjoy!
Barry strasbourg-Thompson says
Great project- reminds us of Thailand. We will make these lanterns at our Art Plus Science Summer Art Camp @ Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery classroom in Ladysmith BC Vancouver Island. These lanterns will be used in the Ladysmith LIGHT UP festival that follows next week. Many Thanks. Barry Strasbourg-Thompson BFA Art Instructor.
Lillie says
So neat! Have a great time!
Stephanie - The Travel Chica says
Love this!
Mary @ Green Global Travel says
The lantern festival seems like a great way to reuse plastic bottles. Thanks for sharing this great idea!
Aleah | SolitaryWanderer.com says
I’m a huge fan of light festivals too, and this one seems very doable! Maybe it can be done with electric lights? Using candles seems so dangerous.
Lillie says
Very good point!
Barbara Bonney says
There are electric candle lights. I bought a box of 24 or more at Sam’s Club a few years ago at Christmas time . They use the flat #2032 batteries, which I placed a large order with AMAZON, really cheaper than drug store even Walmart. Now I have a year around use for them on my Crepe Myrtle tree in front yard!
Theodora says
What a fab craft idea! So pretty – and I love the home-made feel.
Lillie says
Me too! It has a more loving vibe than something that’s fancy and store-bought.
Gabi@TheNomadicFamily says
beautiful, unique and creative. i’m impressed :) hugs-Gabi <3
Douglas Rossi says
These are gorgeous but I’m wondering how the candles was placed so they won’t melt the plastic bottles.
Lillie says
Good question! I think as long as they are firmly glued in the upright position, the candles won’t burn the plastic. No one seemed concerned!
Barbara Bonney says
Use electric csndles, read my comment
Valen Dawson says
I am going to the lantern fest in Thailand tonight! What a cool idea for making them at home!
Lillie says
Thailand is all about lantern fests! :D
Penny Sadler says
Haha! I do this all the time. To lazy to do anything at home. I think it’s because we also are working and doing our day to day lives. Still this is lovely and definitely worth seeing. Glad you made it!
Adele says
As one of those “screaming text” friends, I’m glad you made it! It really is one of the best festivals in JP, second only to Wake Up the Earth, in my humble opinion.
Lillie says
So glad you texted me! Thank you, Adele!
wandering educators says
sooo pretty!! glad you got out to see – and share them!!
Lizzie @ Wanderful World says
I love this! So simple but so effective.