This delightful and versatile craft embodies the spirit of the Lunar New Year celebration and beyond. I’ll guide you through creating charming Chinese paper lanterns and an enchanting decorative garland using free printable templates. This great project is a fun activity and an excellent way to add a touch of celebration to your home.
We celebrate Chinese New Year in our house with enthusiasm. Though not Chinese by heritage, my upbringing in Hong Kong has deeply ingrained some of the culture and traditions in me. Crafting for Chinese New Year and other celebrations like Burn’s Night and Valentine’s Day brings immense joy to my home.
I made rainbow thistle decorations for Burn’s Night on the 25th of January (my mother is Scottish). My birthday falls on Valentine’s Day. I love to craft and fill my house with heart decorations to celebrate.
Last year, I embarked on a project to create cute upcycled tea light jars from small yoghurt jars, perfect for holding LED candles. This year, I’ve decided to elevate this idea by using a free printable template to craft my own Chinese lantern that will adorn my mantle, a nod to the end of Chinese New Year festivities.
Inspired by the traditional Chinese paper lantern, these lanterns are as vibrant as my previous postage stamp creations. I’ve selected colourful patterns from a 19th-century book, “Examples of Chinese Ornament,” making them decorations and pieces of history.
We’re a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I’ve designed six unique Chinese lantern templates, easily accessible through my blog. With just a few clicks, you can download these free printables, ready to transform into your own Chinese lanterns.
If you right-click your mouse on the larger picture, you will have the menu option to save it to your device.
These mini paper lanterns were designed to go around small yoghurt jars. However, you can print them on construction paper; they will stand up independently and be used for garlands.
Step 1: Start by cleaning your jars thoroughly.
Step 2: Print out the lantern templates in high quality to ensure bright, beautiful lanterns.
There are three lantern templates per page. Cut each one out using scissors.
Step 3: Meticulously Cut and fold the templates, following the solid and vertical lines.
Step 4: Black lines are marked at equal distances along the lantern template. Using a pair of scissors, cut along these lines. Do not go beyond the end of the black lines. Once all the slits have been cut, unfold the Chinese paper.
Step 5: Wrap the cut template around the jar, securing it with double-sided tape.
Step 6: Add a touch of flair with washi tape along the top and bottom of the jars. I wrapped the washi tape around the jars twice. That was so the pattern below wasn’t visible through the tape.
Step 7: Insert an LED candle to complete your charming tea light jar. You can use mini real candles safely inside a jar and away from the paper.
In addition to these tea light jars, these printable paper lantern templates can be wonderfully repurposed into a decorative hanging garland. Add a small strip of paper at the top of each lantern to form a loop, and string them together.
This style of paper lantern garland can be a beautiful addition to any room, bringing good luck and a festive atmosphere. It’s a great project for the entire family and can be a highlight during dragon dances or any Chinese New Year activities.
Whether you want to enhance your Chinese New Year celebration or add a cute decoration to your space, these easy-to-make lanterns are a perfect choice. By the end of this simple project, you’ll have your own Chinese lanterns and perhaps a garland that reflects the joyous spirit of the Lunar New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Remember, these aren’t just for the Lunar New Year; they can brighten your home throughout the year!
Stay tuned for more Chinese New Year crafts, DIY paper lanterns, and other creative paper decoration ideas on my blog. Embrace the art of traditional Chinese paper lantern making and enjoy crafting your own lanterns with these free templates!
The finished lantern looks lovely with my handmade Chinese hexagon patchwork cushions. I’ve also made some fabulous candles in Chinese teacups to add to my Chinese Lunar New Year decorations.
The beauty of these paper lanterns lies in their versatility and the endless possibilities for customization. Creating your design is a straightforward process: choose your preferred paper, cut it to the desired size, and carefully draw the necessary slit lines. I’ve also found a treasure trove of vintage Japanese art prints that could be transformed into stunning lantern designs, offering another avenue for creative expression.
The remote-controlled LED lights are good fun with these upcycled map luminary bags.
If you liked these Chinese paper lanterns, you might like these illuminated decoration ideas.
A very cute upcycle of mini yogurt jars with free printable paper lantern templates to make these tea light jars. A great decoration craft for Chinese New Year, but other designs would look great all year round on the mantle. Use remote-controlled LED tea lights to make them easy to switch off and on.
Prep Time 10 minutes Active Time 10 minutes Total Time 20 minutes Difficulty Easy Estimated Cost 10
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Homemory Remote Control Tea Lights Flickering, Long Lasting Battery Operated LED Candles with Remote, No Timer, for Home Decor and Seasonal Celebration, Pack of 12, Warm White Light
© Pillarboxblue Project Type: craft / Category: Crafts
Posted on Published: 27th January 2021
Home » Crafts » Free Colourful Chinese Printable Paper Lantern Templates
Thursday 11th of March 2021
These cute mini paper lanterns sit on my mantle and they look really bright and colorful. I love that the LED lights are remote controlled. This makes them so easy to switch on and off. I love the way of presenting it.
Thursday 11th of March 2021
Thank you, those LED lights are a game changer.
Monday 15th of February 2021
Claire, these lanterns look so cute. Thank you for sharing with us at Meraki Link Party. Naush
Monday 15th of February 2021
Thank you so much.
Tuesday 9th of February 2021
I love, love, LOVE these paper lanterns! You always make the most wonderful crafts. (I want to be like you when I grow up . . . )
Here in Utah, (in the United States) where I live, our yogurt comes in plastic containers. Rats! So I'm just going to print up your templates on heavy card stock paper.
I'm going to feature this at my link party tonight on my Grandma Ideas website. Thanks so much for always participating and sharing your awesome crafts.
Happy birthday -- a little bit early. Today is our daughter's birthday. Daughters who are born around Valentine's Day are extra special to their mothers!
Wednesday 10th of February 2021
Aww, that's so kind of you. I'm sure the heavy paper will work well too. Happy Birthday to your daughter, I know so many people with a birthday today. Thanks for the feature.
Lisa | Handmade in Israel
Tuesday 9th of February 2021
I love that you are continuing with the traditions you grew up with. These lanterns are delightful and look fun to make.
Tuesday 9th of February 2021
Thank you, they were fun and look great on my mantle. I'm looking forward to Chinese New Year on Friday we will be celebrating with a special meal.
Sunday 7th of February 2021
Hi. Love these as they remind me of my birthday parties as a young girl. I’m 62 and remember so well my mother cutting colored construction paper to make the folded and cut shape and then insert an oblong balloon in the center to hang The whole bunch from the ceiling over the party table. I’m not Chinese. I guess my mom must’ve seen this idea in a woman’s magazine and they were so cute and cheap to make!
Sunday 7th of February 2021
Thank you. Yes the hanging paper lanterns look great too. You can make these as hanging lanterns as well. They do make a lovely paper decoration.
