My subject lines are becoming quite assertive: “Easiest paper lantern tutorial in the world” and “How to create the best garden party of the century“…this one really is though! It’s really the easiest paper hanging lantern tutorial in the world but it looks a bit tricky no?

Brynn Grover, who helped spear head the Midsummer Mingle, is an elementary school teacher and made all the lanterns for the event (minus the laser-cut looking ones. I’ll be showing a tutorial on those soon!), and showed me how to make them too for all of you!

Download the template HERE!

Step 1: Fold your paper in half the long way.

Step 2: Start cutting into the paper in strips. Do not cut all the way to the end. You can use a paper cutter for this if you desire.

Step 3: Unfold your paper and glue the edge.

Step 4: Glue the two edges together and voila!

Step 5: (optional) Add decoration on the lanterns with additional strips and patterns. We had fun using all the great paper we had to add more color onto them.

Step 6: To make it into a functional lantern where you can add an electric tea light, place the lantern onto a paper and trace the bottom circle.

Step 7: Cut the circle and glue it onto the base of the lantern.

Easy squeezy!

Seriously, these guys are so great, practical, cheap, and add major impact to a space. I’d make them in globs (that’s my word for a lot) so that it’s overwhelming to your guest and you don’t need much more to decorate a space (but in my case I also used globs of garlands because, the more the merrier in a Mad Hatter themed space.)