Paper lanterns make great decorations for indoor or outdoor parties. You can use any type of medium weight paper in any type of pattern or solid color. Construction paper works well, or wallpaper, wrapping paper or art paper. The paper you use should be medium weight so that it holds its shape. If it is too light, the cuts that you make will tear, and if it is too heavy, you will not be able to fold it properly to assemble the lantern.
Instructions
1. Fold a rectangular piece of paper in half, lengthwise. The size of the paper will dictate the size of the lantern, and you can make them large or small depending on your decorating needs.
2. Cut the paper at the fold, perpindicular to the crease. Begin about 1 inch in from the edge, and make about 12 to 15 cuts in the paper. Leave 1 inch on the other edge as well, and leave 1 inch at the top edge of the paper. (Do not cut all the way through.)
3. Unfold the paper and roll it so that the short edges meet. Do not flatten out the fold in the middle.
4. Glue or staple the short edges together. Depending on the weight of your paper, you can use regular white glue; for heavier papers hot glue may work best. Test various glues on your paper to make sure it holds properly.
5. Make the handle. Cut a strip of paper about ½ inch wide or wider, depending on the size of your lantern.
6. Glue one end of the handle strip to one side of the top of the lantern, and the other end to the other side. Make sure your strip is long enough to create a curved handle.
7. Make lanterns in several colors and sizes, and string them on wire or fishing line.
Tags: about inch, handle strip, medium weight, paper paper, short edges