 Paper
lanterns are a prominent feature of the celebrations, being hung around the area
where the feasting takes place. The larger lanterns are very elaborate being decorated
with pictures of various deities and characters associated with the moon whilst
children carry smaller lanterns suspended from sticks during the celebrations.
Here are some easy and simple way to make a wide range of decorative candles for
the occasion and get awestruck by your own creativity. 1)
CHINESE LANTERN You
need: Colored
construction or gift wrapping paper
Glue, tape, or a stapler
Scissors Procedure: Fold
a rectangular piece of paper in half, making a long, thin rectangle. Make
about dozen or more serial cuts along the fold line. Take care not to cut all
the way to the edge of the paper. Unfold
the paper. Glue or staple the short edges of the paper together. Cut
a strip of paper 6 inches in length and 1/2 inch in width. Glue or staple this
strip of paper across one end of the lantern - this will serve as the handle of
the lantern. You
can make a lot of lanterns and string them along a length of yarn to decorate
your room!
2)
PAPER LANTERN (1)
You need: Three
sheets of lightweight letter size paper (the lighter the better).
Crayons,
markers or paint
Glue or tape.
Two craft sticks, popsicle sticks or strips
of card (optional).
Needle and thread.
Method: Coloring Take
three sheets of A4 size paper, and tape or glue them together lengthwise to make
one long sheet.
Fold the paper into half, lengthwise and color the outside
of the paper, on both sides.
You can either put a picture, a pattern, or just
a solid color.
The top of the picture will be along the fold. Folding Fold
the paper in the same way the paper fan is folded.
Fold about a half inch fold
one way, then the next fold the other way.
Press well on every fold, to make
sure it is well creased.
The next step is to separate the two sides of the
paper. First,
unfold the whole thing, just a little.
Next, refold each side separately.
You should end up with one fold at the top, and two edges, making a v-shape.
Press on all the folds again. Fixing Take
a needle and long thread, doubled.
Pass the needle through each fold of one
edge.
Leave about 1 inch of thread hanging loosely and pass the needle back
through the folds.
Tie off the thread, with about 1 inch slack at either end
of the folds.
Repeat on the second edge.
Opening
the Lantern
Pull
out the folded edges of the paper, it should unfold in a circle.
If your lantern
seems to have a big hole in the center, you can fix it by tightening the slack
in the threads. Hanging
your Lantern To
hang the lantern you need a hook at the top.
The best way to do it is to stick
a popsicle stick on either side of the join, or a thin strip of card.
Punch
a hole through both sticks.
Tie thread, string, or use a paper clip to make
a hook.
Lighting your Lantern Do
not use a candle with a paper lantern.
You can light your candle by suspending
a small flashlight in it, or getting an adult to help you rig up a battery with
a bulb inside the lantern.
You can hang the flashlight or bulb from the sticks.
3)
PAPER LANTERN (2)
You
need: Construction
paper
Tape
Stapler
Scissors
Pencil
Ruler
Glue, glitter,
sequins, if desired to decorate your lantern
Method: Use
your ruler to measure and cut 1" off the short end of your paper. Set aside
to use as the handle.
Fold your paper into half, lengthwise.
Draw a line
1" from the end of the long edge of the paper opposite the folded edge. This
will be the line where you stop cutting.
Measure and mark lines 1" apart
starting at the folded edge and moving towards the "stop cutting" line.
Cut on the marked lines up to the "stop cutting" line.
Unfold
the paper.
Re-crease the paper in the opposite direction. This will hide any
pencil marks.
Match the long edges together on the lantern and use tape to
hold it in place.
Staple the handle to the top of the lantern.
If you
want you can add glue, glitter, sequins or other things to decorate your lanterns.
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