Paper lantern: Brighten any occasion with paper lantern made at home

A paper lantern is a great party and festive decoration extensively used by the Chinese during their New Year celebration. With an assortment of papers, you can give shape to innovative craft ideas, and DIY paper lanterns is one of the best. Let us check out how to make a paper lantern.

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Things needed for making a paper lantern:

• Red and yellow paper or cardstock. You can choose other colours also.
• Scissors
• Stapler and tape
• Glue
• Ruler
• Pencil and eraser
• Various decorative items – ribbons, sequins, stickers, beads, buttons, glitters, gift wrap paper, etc.

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A step-by-step guide to DIY paper lanterns:

Paper lanterns are easy to make and hold great appeal as decoration in any joyous occasion or festivities. They can be in many shapes and colors, making them highly attractive. The steps given below will brief you on how to make a paper lantern.

• Start with a rectangular sheet of coloured paper or cardstock. Choose different colours, but red and yellow are the most popular.
• Cut out a 1-inch strip from the paper and set aside as handle.
• Fold the paper into half lengthwise.
• Measure 1 inch from the edge opposite the fold and draw a line horizontally across the top corner.
• From the folded edge, cut a slit about an inch from a short edge straight up to the horizontal line.  
• Cut more slits, all an inch apart, which should not cross the horizontal line.
• Unfold the paper to see a series of vertical slits an inch apart across the length of the paper. Erase any pencil marks on the paper. 
• Decorate the top and lower edge as per your choice. There are various ways of doing it.

1. Paint colors in the border
2. Create intricate patterns
3. Glue decorative bands
4. Glue stickers, shapes, or decorations

• Now it is time to form the lantern. Overlap the edge and staple or glue it to look like a tube with vertical slits all across the length.
• Glue the handle on the top edge inside. It can also be decorated.
• Finish the paper lantern by attaching paper streamers at the bottom. Decorate the body of the lantern with different items like glitter, beads, and buttons.
• Make lanterns in different colors, sizes, and shapes.    

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Paper lanterns can be used on any festive occasion as a decoration. Different sizes and colours add variety. Even the colours can be chosen to mark special occasions. Orange and black go well with Halloween, and pastels are great for Easter. For birthday and anniversaries, the choice is unlimited. The best part with a paper lantern is that they are relatively simple and inexpensive to make. Even kids can take up these craft ideas and succeed in making any occasion colourful.

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