How to Decorate a Lantern for Christmas

Lanterns are one of the most traditional and old-fashion holiday decorations that not only create a cozy ambiance but add an extra touch of Christmas spirit to any room. 

There are endless ways to decorate with a holiday Christmas lantern from using it as a centerpiece on the holiday table to placing it on the mantle or even using it as an accent on a side table or window sill.

Do you want more Christmas DIY crafts and decorating ideas?  We have lots of free projects and tutorials for the holiday on our sewing, quilting, machine embroidery, and children's craft pages.

Brighten up your home with a beautiful Christmas lantern. Learn how to turn an ordinary lantern into a festive decoration that will brighten up your home by watching our how-to video tutorial or reading on for a photo tutorial with step-by-step written instructions.

If you don't have time to make a holiday lantern yourself, at the end of this article are some links to already made decorated Christmas lanterns.

Let’s Get Started!

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Lantern
• Metal Sheet or Scrapbooking Paper
• Nail
• Hammer
• Scissor
• Corrugated Card
• Wire Ribbon
• Floral Sprig
• Battery Operated Lights
• Tin Punch Pattern

How to make a Christmas lantern

STEP 1: GATHER SUPPLIES

The first step is to gather all the supplies you will need. Are you going to use metal sheets, scrapbooking paper or a combination? For this lantern, I used a copper metal sheet for the front and scrapbook paper for the sides and back.

Other supplies you will need are a nail, hammer, scissors, cardboard, ribbon, tin punch pattern, floral sprig, and battery-operated lights.

If you need a pattern for punching the holes, you can make your own pattern or there are many free tin punch pattern examples on the Internet.  To find them online, search by googling the phrase, “Free patterns for tin punching”.

STEP 2: CUTTING TIN OR SCRAPBOOK PAPER

To cut the metal or scrapbook paper to the correct size, remove the glass from the lantern and use it as a guide.  In the above photo, you can see the glass is very easy to remove.  After cutting out the pieces, replace the glass in the lantern.

To punch the metal sheet, after cutting the metal sheet to the correct size, scotch tape the cutout pattern to the metal tin.  To punch the scrapbook paper, you can use a pattern or you don't have to use a pattern.  The design on the paper can be used as a guide for punching the holes. If you prefer to use a pattern on the scrapbook paper, cut the pattern the same size as the paper and tack with scotch tape on back to hold in place.

STEP 3: PUNCHING TIN OR SCRAPBOOK PAPER

To protect your work surface, place the metal sheet or scrapbook paper on one or two pieces of corrugated cardboard. With a hammer and nail, begin punching holes. Continue punching until all the panels for the lantern are completed.

STEP 4: INSERT PANELS

Open the lantern and insert the completed hole-punched panels into the lantern and secure them in place.

STEP 5: ADD BOW & lights

To the top of the lantern, make a bow with a floral sprig and attach it.

Open the lantern and insert battery-operated lights inside. (Recommendation: Do not use an ordinary candle or anything with a flame. Use only battery-operated lights or candles.)

The lantern is complete and ready to enjoy in a cheery location in your home. I am so happy with the way this Christmas lantern turned out.  It is adding a warm and cozy glow to my holiday table.

Have a wonderful holiday season from Needlepointers.com!

A Few More Popular Christmas Tutorials for You to Check Out:

• Candy Cane Vase
• No-Sew Fabric Snowflake
• DIY Candy Sleigh Tutorial
• Snowman Tea Light Ornament
• Holiday Fold 'n Stitch Wreath
• Snow Covered Winter Wreath