Looking for a simple, fun, and beautiful craft to brighten up your home this festive season? Whether you’re celebrating Diwali’s Festival of Lights or Christmas’s joyful spirit, making paper lanterns is a perfect way to add charm and cheer to your decorations!
At Learn With Pari, we love crafts that bring families together, and these paper lanterns are easy enough for kids and grown-ups to make — plus, they look amazing hanging around your home!
🎨 Why Paper Lanterns?
Paper lanterns are classic decorations in many cultures. During Diwali, they symbolize light driving away darkness, and during Christmas, they add a cozy, warm glow to the festive atmosphere. Plus, crafting lanterns is a creative activity that helps improve fine motor skills and inspires holiday spirit.
✂️ What You’ll Need:
- Colored craft paper or old magazines (thick paper works best)
- Scissors
- Glue or double-sided tape
- Ruler
- Pencil
- String or ribbon for hanging (optional)
- Decorative items like glitter, stickers, or sequins (optional)
🏮 Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Paper Lantern
Step 1: Prepare Your Paper
Take a rectangular piece of paper (about 8 inches by 6 inches). You can use any color or pattern that matches your festive theme.
Step 2: Fold the Paper
Fold the paper in half lengthwise (the long way). Use a ruler to make a crisp fold.
Step 3: Mark and Cut
From the folded edge, measure about 1 inch away and make small marks every 1 inch along the fold. Carefully cut slits along the fold up to the marks, but don’t cut all the way through!
Step 4: Unfold and Roll
Unfold the paper. Now, roll it into a tube with the cut slits running vertically. Overlap the edges and glue or tape them to secure the tube shape.
Step 5: Add the Handle
Cut a thin strip from leftover paper and glue it to the top of your lantern to create a handle for hanging.
Step 6: Decorate Your Lantern
Add glitter, stickers, or draw designs with markers to make your lantern shine.
✨ Extra Tips for Festive Fun
- Use bright colors like red, gold, orange, and green for a Diwali vibe.
- Try white, silver, and red for a Christmas-themed lantern.
- Hang multiple lanterns in a row to create a beautiful garland.
- Place LED tealight candles inside (never real candles) for a safe glow.
🎉 Why We Love This Craft
Making paper lanterns is a fantastic way to celebrate festivals with family, boost creativity, and add a personal touch to your holiday decorations. Plus, it’s budget-friendly and great for all ages!
🎬 Want to See How It’s Done?
Watch our Learn With Pari YouTube tutorial for a full video walkthrough and bonus decoration ideas. Don’t forget to subscribe for more fun crafts and festive tips!
#LearnWithPari #PaperLanterns #DiwaliDecorations #ChristmasCrafts #FestiveDIY
