How to Make / Craft DIY Chinese Paper Lanterns

Hi friends! Happy New Year! I am Rebecca from The Crafted Sparrow, some of you have seen me around SNAP – I just wanted to let you all know how excited I am to be a contributor again for 2014.

Now that Christmas and New Year’s have come and gone, it’s time to start thinking of the next fun Holiday to celebrate! With Chinese New Year coming up at the end of January I thought it was the perfect time to share these Chinese Paper Lanterns with you. Aren’t they cute?! They are really easy to make, and even a great project to let the kids help with.

Supplies:
Poster Board or Card Stock {red, black & white}
Tape Runner or Glue Stick
Scissors and Paper Cutter
Glitter Tape from American Crafts {gold}
Washi Tape {coordinating colors}
Bakers Twine

I chose to use poster board for this project, I bought 3 pieces…1 of each color…$3 for this whole project was my total cost, because I had the other supplies on hand.

The first thing I did was to fold my post board in half lengthwise. Then I used my paper-cutter to trim the poster board in to 6″ wide pieces. One end will still be folded in half, when your done cutting all your pieces go ahead and just trim off the ends that are folded so everything is separate. I was able to create 16 lanterns from the poster board I purchased.

Once you get each piece cut to 6″ wide, you will have a piece that now measures approximately 6 x 11″. Fold each piece in half lengthwise and firmly crease the folded edge.

Measure and mark every 1/2″ on your folded end with a pencil or cut make a cut with scissors. Cut starting at the folded edge up towards the unfolded edge. Do not cut all the way through, leave an uncut border of about 3/4 – 1″. I like to fold my poster board back the opposite way and crease each fold nice and firmly.

Use a tape runner or glue stick to join your lantern ends. Each end should meet up perfectly so the slits are even.

Once glue or taped roll up a piece of your white poster board and place inside of the lantern and let it fill the space. Once positioned right either tape it in place or glue. You can now create small 1″ wide strips of left over poster board to use for the hangers if you want – just tape them inside the lanterns.

Now it’s time to decorate the paper lanterns. I chose simple gold glitter tape from American Crafts. I love this stuff. I used it on my black lanterns to really make the gold pop. Washi tape is another great way to decorate them. I used black and white striped washi tape on my red lanterns.

Once you’re done just use bakers twine to either string your lanterns in a row, or tie them individually to create a staggered vignette of lanterns. You can make these lanterns any size you want, bigger or smaller.

These lanterns are such a fun way to welcome the Chinese New Year. Make a night of it. Celebrate with a fun family Chinese inspired meal: using take-out containers, chopsticks, fortune cookies and more. Decorate for the night with these lanterns and your night is sure to be a hit.

Here are few more ideas that can make your Chinese New Year a fun holiday!

Check out my round up post of 25 Great Asian Dishes at Home, there is a ton of Chinese inspired recipes.
You can also check out my DIY Dragon Pinata, it’s a super easy one to make and would be fun for the kiddos – you can fill it with Chinese treats which you can find a ton of at a local Asian market or things from the party store.