Holiday + Party

Star-Shaped Paper Lanterns

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July 7, 2010

Beautiful and functional, our unique, easy-to-make paper lanterns keep outdoor celebrations aglow as the sun begins to set. On rainy days, hang a strand of lit lanterns to create a magical scene indoors.

Materials

Scrapbook paper, color(s) of your choice
2 pencils (1 sharpened, 1 dull)
Ruler
Scissors
Craft glue
Strand of holiday lights
Push pin
Scrap of cardboard

Printable Lantern Template & Instructions
To get started, simply download and print our star lantern instructions and template. For a look that is truly your own, experiment with different colors and sizes.

Follow the instructions provided within the template to construct and strand your lanterns.
Hang the strand, then plug in the lights!

Personalize Your Lanterns
As an added touch, before you glue your lanterns together, use our simple pin-poking technique to spell out a special message with your lanterns.

Select a message to convey.
Use a pencil to lightly draw each letter from your message, one letter per lantern.
Place your scrapbook paper flat on a scrap of cardboard.
Using a push pin, poke holes along your drawn letter.

Decorate Outdoor Spaces with Lanterns
When lit, lanterns are bright enough to illuminate the faces of your guests, yet subtle enough for you to appreciate the flicker of fireflies. To inspire you, here are our favorite ways to display them:

Celebrate the Fourth of July with red, white and blue star-shaped lanterns, personalized with a patriotic message.
Hang strands along trees, bushes or trellises. For a more natural effect, tuck them gently into the greenery.
A string of white lanterns creates a gorgeous contrast to the vibrant colors and lush foliage of summer.
Create a strand of bright-colored lanterns to set the mood or fit the theme of a party and bring out the hues in your garden.

Tip: LED lights last longer than traditional bulbs, so use them to guarantee your party will shine long into the night.

Enhance Indoor Spaces with Lanterns
When the weather begins to cool, create everyday beauty by adorning your home indoors.

For a fun and sophisticated touch, string lanterns along ceilings, across the top of a doorway or from any overhang.
Make entertaining and everyday meals extraordinary. Simply arrange a cluster of lanterns above your table.
Update the look by selecting paper with colors and patterns that accent your home’s interior décor.
Decorate for a special celebration by hanging bouquets of unlit lanterns throughout your space.

Tip: They’re perfect for summer, but we love to use our lanterns in the winter months, too. Make them part of your holiday décor by hanging them inside along mantles or weaving them through a table setup.

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Tags:

Outdoor decorating, outdoor lighting, lanterns, paper lanterns, holiday celebrations, holiday decorating, paper lantern craft, entertaining, outdoor entertaining, party decorating.

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