How to Make an Easy (and Adorable!) DIY Christmas Lantern

This easy DIY Christmas lantern is one of the quickest ways to add instant holiday charm to any space. With just a few simple supplies and a creative touch, you can make a festive lantern that feels handmade, cozy, and totally unique!

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A Festive Lantern Makeover for Christmas

When it comes to decorating for the holiday season, I always find myself reaching for projects that add a personal touch. 

There’s just something extra special about creating your own DIY Christmas lanterns, especially when they start as simple metal lanterns from the dollar store. 

With a little creativity (and color and pattern!), they bring the prettiest warm glow to your home without stretching your budget. 

I love setting them on the fireplace hearth, nestling them beside the Christmas tree, or letting them sparkle on an entry table. No matter where they land, these little decorative lanterns instantly become some of my favorite lanterns of the entire Christmas season!

What I love most is how easy they are to make.  With just a bit of patterned tissue paper or napkins, creative decoupage turns basic classic lanterns into charming, cozy treasures that look like something from a boutique.

Let me walk you through exactly how I made mine, so you can create your own festive set too.

Supplies You Will Need

• Dollar store metal lantern (or try these I found online.)
• White spray paint
• Patterned tissue paper or decorative paper napkins (Paper napkins work just as well as tissue paper for this project. Just make sure to separate the layers of the napkin and use just the top ply.)
• Decoupage glue, such as Mod Podge
• Scissors
• Small craft brush
• Hot glue gun (optional)
• Greenery sprigs
• Faux berries
• Ribbon
• Battery-operated lights

How to Decoupage a Christmas Lantern

Step 1: Prep and Paint

In general, it works better to decoupage over a light surface.

So, give your dollar store lanterns a fresh coat of white spray paint. This helps your tissue or napkin colors look bright and crisp once they are applied.

Let the lanterns dry completely before moving on.

Step 2: Apply and Trim the Tissue Paper

Working on one surface at a time keeps the process simple and easy. Brush a thin, even layer of decoupage glue onto the side of the lantern where you want to begin.

Gently place your tissue paper or napkin onto the glued surface.

Smooth it out with your fingertips, working from the center toward the edges to avoid wrinkles and bubbles. Remember, a few small imperfections are completely fine.

Trim the tissue so it extends slightly past the edges of the lantern. Brush a bit of glue underneath, fold the paper over the edges, and smooth it into place. This gives your lantern a neatly wrapped look.

If your lantern has an arched or shaped opening, pierce the center of the paper first. Cut outward toward each corner and make a few small angled cuts around the curve if needed. Trim the flaps to about half an inch so they are easy to fold inside the lantern.

Brush glue along the inner rim of the lantern. Then fold each tissue flap inward and smooth it down so they sit neatly inside and stay hidden.and Trim

Continue the same steps on all remaining sides, slightly overlapping the tissue at the corners so the lantern is fully covered.

Finally, brush a final overall coat of decoupage glue over the entire papered surface of the lantern.

Let it dry for a couple of hours and you are done!

Step 3: Add Festive Embellishments

Once the decoupage is dry, add a pretty holiday touch to the top.

Hot glue a cluster of greenery, faux berries, and a ribbon bow. You can even tuck in a few pine cones for a rustic winter look.

I made it even easier on myself and used a pre-tied twist velvet bow to attach greenery and berries to my lantern.

How to Style Your DIY Lanterns

These lanterns turn out so cute!

Here are some ideas for displaying your festive creations.

• Create a winter wonderland scene by surrounding your lanterns with fresh greenery, snow-dusted pine cones, or small Christmas figurines.
• Add flameless candles, string lights, or battery-operated lights inside for an enchanting festive glow.
• Use them as candle lanterns on your mantel or tabletop.
• Pair them with a small nativity scene for a meaningful holiday display.
• Coordinate them with your living room or Christmas tree colors for a cohesive look.
• Place a lantern on your entry table to welcome guests with a soft, warm glow.
• Carry them into the new year by replacing holiday embellishments with winter greenery or neutral ribbons.

These little lanterns have completely won me over!

It still amazes me that a dollar store find, a bit of tissue paper, and some glue can turn into something this charming for the holiday decor season.

Why don’t you give this a try? And let me know in the comments how you added your personal touch!

Cheers!

A Little About Me

Hi! I’m missy. So happy to meet you!

“Decorate with Joy! Live with Happiness”

I truly believe that your home should be a reflection of your personality, a space where you feel free to express yourself and create a sanctuary that feels uniquely yours.

I love creating mood boards, hunting down unique home décor treasures, tackling easy DIY projects, and gathering with family and friends. Homes are meant to be enjoyed, filled with laughter, and shared with the people you love!

– cheers –

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