DIY Halloween: Papperslyktor * Paper lanterns

Transform ordinary paper bags into enchanting autumn lanterns with this simple DIY project! Perfect for adding a spooky yet cozy glow to your Halloween decor.

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Our own summary of the original — the full post and photos live at rebeccasdiy.blogspot.com.

This tutorial guides you through creating custom paper lanterns using everyday materials like paper bags, acrylic paint, and a spray bottle. By folding the bags around a form, adding decorative touches like painted bats or letters, and weighting the base with sand, you can craft unique light fixtures that safely hold tea lights or grave candles for festive Halloween ambiance.

You'll need

Paper bags (white A3 paper, treat bags, or lunch bags)

A form to fold the paper around (e.g., a book or paper carton)

Acrylic paint

Water

Spray bottle

Tea light in a glass container or grave candle

Sand

Optional: Autumn leaves for stencils, black paint for bats, letters

Directions

Wrap your chosen paper bag around a sturdy object like a hardcover book or a carton, making sure the material overlaps sufficiently and has enough depth to comfortably house a glass-encased tea light or a tall grave candle.

Crimp the bottom edges of the bag inward, mimicking the technique used when wrapping a present, to create a secure base.

Mix acrylic paint with water in a spray bottle until you achieve your preferred hue, then mist the exterior of the paper bags with the colored liquid.

For extra decoration, you can use a stencil to paint black bats onto the surface or attach individual letters to spell out spooky messages.

Add a layer of sand to the bottom interior of each lantern to weigh it down and prevent it from tipping over or blowing away.

Insert your chosen light source, such as a tea light inside a glass holder or a grave candle, into the center of the finished lantern.