Add a sense of fun to your back yard with these easy Chinese lanterns
Finding a way to light up the garden in an interesting and inexpensive way is one way to impress guests coming over for a barbecue. Chinese lanterns are a great option for theming an event as they can be made into any shape imaginable for very little cost. They can add a great deal of interest and enjoyment to areas of your garden that might not ordinarily get much use.
The Chinese paper lantern is essentially a small balloon with a tea light candle providing the hot air which is captured inside a paper capsule. It can be made almost any size or shape you want.
If you have no theme in mind and just want to put on a bit of a spectacle, then some big random shapes will do the trick. The paper I've used is rice paper, which is light and easy to work with. Its nice crisp white colour is perfect for doing a few "clouds". Couple this with some impromptu seating areas and I can see a lantern party being the talk of the water-cooler on Monday morning, thanks very much.
I've created frames by splitting bamboo into thin lengths using a hammer, a machete and a stout knife. The bamboo is relatively easy to split, but if you don't want to spend the time, then some small profile dowelling or wire will do a fine job. The bamboo can be joined together using string, masking tape, wire or small cable ties. Once the frame is complete the tissue is best attached to the frame with masking tape then pasted into place so the seams don't leak any air. Basic shapes like a balloon won't need framing and some designs will need a hole in the top so the hot air can escape. This comes down to trial and error.
