This delightful and versatile craft embodies the spirit of the Lunar New Year celebration and beyond. I’ll guide you through creating charming Chinese paper lanterns and an enchanting decorative garland using free printable templates. This great project is a fun activity and an excellent way to add a touch of celebration to your home.

We celebrate Chinese New Year in our house with enthusiasm. Though not Chinese by heritage, my upbringing in Hong Kong has deeply ingrained some of the culture and traditions in me. Crafting for Chinese New Year and other celebrations like Burn’s Night and Valentine’s Day brings immense joy to my home.

I made rainbow thistle decorations for  Burn’s Night on the 25th of January (my mother is Scottish). My birthday falls on Valentine’s Day. I love to craft and fill my house with heart decorations to celebrate.  

Making Upcycled Tea Light Jars for Chinese New Year

Last year, I embarked on a project to create cute upcycled tea light jars from small yoghurt jars, perfect for holding LED candles. This year, I’ve decided to elevate this idea by using a free printable template to craft my own Chinese lantern that will adorn my mantle, a nod to the end of Chinese New Year festivities.

Inspired by the traditional Chinese paper lantern, these lanterns are as vibrant as my previous postage stamp creations. I’ve selected colourful patterns from a 19th-century book, “Examples of Chinese Ornament,” making them decorations and pieces of history.

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Materials Needed for Your Own Mini Lantern Creation

• Small glass jars (like those from premium yoghurt brands)
• Double-sided sticky tape and colorful washi tape
• Remote-controlled LED candles for convenience and safety
• Inkjet printer with standard white paper
• Scissors

Free Paper Lantern Template: Your Gateway to Chinese Lantern Craft

I’ve designed six unique Chinese lantern templates, easily accessible through my blog. With just a few clicks, you can download these free printables, ready to transform into your own Chinese lanterns.

 If you right-click your mouse on the larger picture, you will have the menu option to save it to your device.

These mini paper lanterns were designed to go around small yoghurt jars. However, you can print them on construction paper; they will stand up independently and be used for garlands.

Chinese Paper Lantern Designs 1

Chinese Paper Lantern Designs 2

Crafting Your Lanterns: A Simple Paper Lantern Guide

Step 1: Start by cleaning your jars thoroughly.

Step 2: Print out the lantern templates in high quality to ensure bright, beautiful lanterns.

There are three lantern templates per page. Cut each one out using scissors.

Step 3: Meticulously Cut and fold the templates, following the solid and vertical lines.

Step 4: Black lines are marked at equal distances along the lantern template. Using a pair of scissors, cut along these lines. Do not go beyond the end of the black lines. Once all the slits have been cut, unfold the Chinese paper.

Step 5: Wrap the cut template around the jar, securing it with double-sided tape.

Step 6: Add a touch of flair with washi tape along the top and bottom of the jars. I wrapped the washi tape around the jars twice. That was so the pattern below wasn’t visible through the tape.

Step 7: Insert an LED candle to complete your charming tea light jar. You can use mini real candles safely inside a jar and away from the paper.

A New Twist: DIY Paper Lanterns as a Decorative Garland

In addition to these tea light jars, these printable paper lantern templates can be wonderfully repurposed into a decorative hanging garland. Add a small strip of paper at the top of each lantern to form a loop, and string them together.

This style of paper lantern garland can be a beautiful addition to any room, bringing good luck and a festive atmosphere. It’s a great project for the entire family and can be a highlight during dragon dances or any Chinese New Year activities.

Conclusion: Celebrating with Beautiful Lanterns

Whether you want to enhance your Chinese New Year celebration or add a cute decoration to your space, these easy-to-make lanterns are a perfect choice. By the end of this simple project, you’ll have your own Chinese lanterns and perhaps a garland that reflects the joyous spirit of the Lunar New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Remember, these aren’t just for the Lunar New Year; they can brighten your home throughout the year!

Stay tuned for more Chinese New Year crafts, DIY paper lanterns, and other creative paper decoration ideas on my blog. Embrace the art of traditional Chinese paper lantern making and enjoy crafting your own lanterns with these free templates!

The finished lantern looks lovely with my handmade Chinese hexagon patchwork cushions.  I’ve also made some fabulous candles in Chinese teacups to add to my Chinese Lunar New Year decorations.

The beauty of these paper lanterns lies in their versatility and the endless possibilities for customization. Creating your design is a straightforward process: choose your preferred paper, cut it to the desired size, and carefully draw the necessary slit lines. I’ve also found a treasure trove of vintage Japanese art prints that could be transformed into stunning lantern designs, offering another avenue for creative expression.

The remote-controlled LED lights are good fun with these upcycled map luminary bags.

If you liked these Chinese paper lanterns, you might like these illuminated decoration ideas.

• Handmade shell candles
• DIY heart string lights
• Christmas bottle lights
• Air Dry Clay Candle Holders
• Printable Tea Light Lanterns