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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