13 Diy Christmas Lantern Ideas For A Cozy Holiday Glow
The coziest kind of holiday magic isn’t loud or expensive—it’s a warm glow on a chilly night. Lanterns do that like nothing else. They’re easy, customizable, and they make your home feel like a snow globe (minus the cleanup).
Ready to craft a little sparkle? Let’s build 13 DIY Christmas lanterns that look boutique but cost hot-cocoa money.
Upcycled Mason Jar Lanterns
Mason jars are the DIY MVPs. They’re everywhere, they’re cheap, and they catch light beautifully.
Add some faux snow and twinkle lights, and you’ve got instant winter charm.
- What you’ll need: Mason jars, Epsom salt (aka faux snow), battery-operated LED tea lights or fairy lights, twine, and small pine sprigs.
- How to make it: Brush a little Mod Podge inside the jar rim, roll it in Epsom salt, drop in lights, and tie twine around the neck with a sprig of pine. Done.
- Style it: Cluster 3–5 jars on a tray for a glowy centerpiece.
Frosted Finish Upgrade
Want that cozy frosted look? Spray the outside with frosted glass spray and let it dry.
Add a snowflake stencil if you’re feeling fancy.
Paper Bag Luminaries (But Make Them Chic)
Paper bag lanterns feel nostalgic and surprisingly elegant. You can line your walkway in minutes without touching real candles.
- What you’ll need: White or kraft paper bags, hole punch or craft knife, sand or pebbles, and LED tea lights.
- How to make it: Punch holes in patterns—stars, trees, snowflakes—add a scoop of sand for weight, and tuck a tea light inside.
- Pro tip: Layer two bags for sturdier sides and a richer glow.
Stencils for Sharp Designs
Use cookie cutters as tracing guides for clean shapes. IMO, tiny star constellations look amazing.
Wine Bottle Lanterns You’ll Actually Keep Out
Empty wine bottles make sleek, modern lanterns.
They look store-bought, and the setup takes five minutes, tops.
- What you’ll need: Clean wine bottles, fairy lights (the kind with a cork-shaped battery pack), and optional glass etching cream.
- How to make it: Slip the lights in, hide the battery in the faux cork, and boom—instant glow.
- Optional: Etch snowflakes or monograms for a personalized look. FYI, etching cream is fast—just follow the timing carefully.
Scandi-Style Wooden Frame Lanterns
Minimal, cozy, timeless—these wooden frame lanterns look expensive but come together with a few dowels and glue. Think hygge, but on a budget.
- What you’ll need: Wood dowels or square rods, wood glue, small wood base, and LED candle.
- How to make it: Build a cube frame, glue to the base, and sand lightly.
Stain it light oak or paint it white.
- Style it: Add a thin leather strap as a handle for that Nordic touch.
Soft Glow Hack
Wrap the interior with sheer vellum for a diffused, soft light. It hides the LED candle and makes it feel extra cozy.
Tin Can Punch Lanterns (Hello, Rustic Cabin)
Turn recycling into ambiance. Punched tin cans throw stunning patterns across your porch or mantel.
- What you’ll need: Clean tin cans, hammer and nail, freezer, and spray paint.
- How to make it: Fill cans with water and freeze them (prevents denting), draw a design, then tap holes along the lines.
Paint and add LED tea lights.
- Design ideas: Stars, trees, simple snowflakes, or even initials.
Snow Globe Lanterns From Old Terrariums
Got a glass terrarium or cloche? Transform it into a dreamy snow-globe lantern scene—no shaking required.
- What you’ll need: Glass terrarium/cloche, bottle brush trees, tiny figurines, faux snow, and micro LED lights.
- How to make it: Arrange your scene, wind lights around it, and tuck the battery pack under a ribbon or out of sight.
- Pro styling: Keep it monochrome—white trees, gold lights, black base. Very chic.
Magnetic Base Trick
Attach a small magnet to the battery pack and hide it under the metal base—easy on/off without tearing apart your scene.
Cookie Tin Window Lanterns
Don’t toss those holiday cookie tins.
Turn them into shadow-casting lanterns with simple cutouts.
- What you’ll need: Metal cookie tins, drill with metal bit or craft punch, spray paint, and LED candles.
- How to make it: Drill patterns—think stars or moons—spray paint matte black or evergreen, and place a candle inside.
- Bonus: Add a handle with bent wire for a classic lantern silhouette.
Book Page Lantern Wraps
Old book pages create a warm, vintage glow. Library vibes, but festive.
- What you’ll need: Cylindrical vases, old book pages or sheet music, double-sided tape, and LED candles.
- How to make it: Wrap the vase in overlapping pages, tape in place, and drop an LED candle inside.
- Upgrade: Punch snowflake shapes in some pages for little bursts of light.
Paper Star Lanterns (Scandi Christmas Staple)
These stars feel like holiday magic floating in the air. Hang them in a window and wait for the compliments.
- What you’ll need: Pre-cut star templates or craft paper, glue stick, and a warm white LED bulb with cord.
- How to make it: Fold and glue the star, then insert the bulb.
Use low-heat LEDs only.
- Pro tip: Mix sizes for depth and hang at staggered heights.
Hurricane Lanterns With Evergreen Nests
Simple vases become luxe lanterns with layered greenery. Your mantle will look like a holiday catalog—without the price tags.
- What you’ll need: Glass hurricanes, fresh or faux evergreen clippings, cinnamon sticks, cranberries, and LED pillar candles.
- How to make it: Create a nest of greenery around the candle base and add accents like berries or pinecones.
- Safety note: Always use LED pillars, not real flames with greenery. Obvious, but important.
Cinnamon Glow Boost
Tie a few cinnamon sticks with twine around the candle for a subtle scent and a cabin-core look.
Lanterns From Transparent Ornaments
Clear plastic or glass ornaments aren’t just for trees.
Group them into a glowing cluster for table magic.
- What you’ll need: Clear ornaments, fairy lights, ribbon, and a shallow tray.
- How to make it: Remove ornament caps, thread lights inside several, then pile them artfully on a tray. Hide the battery pack under ribbon.
- Styling: Add faux snow or glitter inside a few for variation.
Lanterns You Can Hang Outside
Outdoor glow makes your home feel instantly welcoming. And yes, these hold up to winter weather (within reason).
- Metal lanterns + LEDs: Use thrifted lanterns with weatherproof LED candles for porches.
- Jar hangers: Wrap heavy-gauge wire around jar necks to hang from hooks or branches.
- Solar fairy lights: Thread through grapevine balls and hang from trees for a subtle woodland vibe.
Weatherproofing Basics
Seal wood with exterior polyurethane, use outdoor-rated lights, and avoid paper outdoors unless under cover.
IMO, covered porches = perfect lantern playground.
Mini House Lantern Village
Create a tiny illuminated village that sparks joy every time you walk by. It’s like a Christmas market in your living room.
- What you’ll need: Cardstock house templates or thin wood cutouts, vellum for windows, and LED tea lights.
- How to make it: Assemble houses, glue vellum behind window cutouts, and place lights inside.
- Display: Arrange on faux snow with small trees and a mirror “pond.” Instant magic.
13 Quick Ideas at a Glance
- Mason jar snow lanterns
- Frosted mason jars
- Paper bag luminaries
- Wine bottle lights
- Wooden frame lanterns
- Tin can punch lanterns
- Terrarium snow globe lanterns
- Cookie tin cutout lanterns
- Book page wraps
- Paper star lanterns
- Hurricane greenery lanterns
- Ornament light cluster
- Mini house village
FAQ
Can I use real candles in these lanterns?
Short answer: stick with LEDs. They’re safer, they don’t melt, and they look great.
Use real candles only in heavy, open lanterns with zero flammables nearby—and never leave them unattended.
How do I keep outdoor lanterns from blowing over?
Weight them with sand or small stones. For jars and metal lanterns, add a layer to the bottom. You can also use command hooks or zip ties to secure lanterns to railings discreetly.
What’s the warmest light color for that cozy glow?
Look for warm white LEDs around 2200K–2700K.
Anything higher gets cooler and less cozy. FYI, “amber” or “vintage” bulbs usually land in the sweet spot.
Where can I find cheap supplies?
Thrift stores and dollar stores are your best friends. Mason jars, vases, tins, and old frames pop up all the time.
Grab fairy lights in bulk online—you’ll use more than you think.
How do I store these after the holidays?
Remove batteries from all lights (they leak, and it’s tragic). Wrap glass in tissue, stack paper pieces flat, and label bins by vignette—mantel, porch, table—so next year you set up in minutes.
Any quick kid-friendly lantern ideas?
Try paper bag luminaries, ornament clusters, or mason jars with stickers. Kids can place stickers, sprinkle faux snow, and press the on button—no sharp tools needed.
Wrap-Up: Let It Glow
You don’t need a sleigh full of cash to make your home sparkle—just a few jars, some lights, and a dash of creativity.
Pick two or three of these lanterns and build a glow zone by your entry, mantel, or dining table. Mix heights, keep the palette cohesive, and let the lights do the heavy lifting. Cozy holiday glow?
Achieved.
