21 Lunar New Year Lantern Crafts

Lunar New Year lantern crafts bring warm color, soft light, and a festive spirit to every corner. I love how Chinese New Year lantern crafts turn paper, fabric, and tiny lights into glowing wishes for the year ahead.

These New Year lanterns feel timeless yet fresh, brightening hallways and tables with joy. The phrase Lunar New Year lantern crafts instantly sparks memories.
As a child, I carried New Year lanterns along a chilly evening street, watching red and gold reflections dance on windows.

That little glow felt like luck. Now, making Lunar New Year lantern crafts with family keeps that glow alive, one tassel and ribbon at a time.

Classic Red Lantern With Gilded Tassel Glow

This classic Lunar New Year lantern channels rich crimson hues paired with golden accents for a timeless celebration piece. Smooth cardstock forms crisp panels, while a satin tassel and metallic cord add graceful movement.

Subtle embossed patterns or foil details bring a refined sheen that catches candlelight from a safe LED source. The lantern complements peony bouquets, plum blossom branches, and porcelain dishes with ease.

Crimson and gold feel traditional, though jade with pearl accents or coral with champagne foil create elegant alternatives. Packed in a kraft box with tissue and a red envelope, it becomes a thoughtful hostess gift or mantle centerpiece.

Steps

1. Cut red cardstock into equal rectangular panels and score for gentle curvature.
2. Create a top and base ring from sturdy card, then glue panels around the frame.
3. Punch a small hole in the base, thread a golden tassel, and secure with a knot.
4. Place an LED tealight inside and add metallic cord for hanging.

Zodiac Silhouette Lantern With Gentle Backlight

A zodiac silhouette lantern celebrates the animal of the year with crisp cutouts that glow like shadow art. Vellum or translucent parchment behind each opening diffuses warm light, while matte cardstock framing brings structure.

Gold ink outlines, star flecks, or cloud motifs offer delicate contrast. The design pairs beautifully with calligraphy scrolls and knotted cords in auspicious colors.

Deep navy with gold silhouettes feels refined, while ruby with ivory film gives classic festivity. Wrapped with a small booklet explaining the zodiac animal’s traits, it becomes a meaningful keepsake for family gatherings or classroom displays.

Steps

1. Draw the zodiac animal silhouette on cardstock panels and cut the shapes out.
2. Adhere translucent vellum behind each opening to create diffused windows.
3. Assemble the panels into a box or hexagonal lantern with tabs and glue.
4. Add a top loop, then place an LED candle inside for a soft backlight.

Lotus Blossom Accordion Lantern In Pastel Layers

Inspired by lotus petals, this accordion lantern fans out into a sculptural bloom that seems to float. Soft tissue layers in blush, peach, and ivory mingle with hints of sage, creating depth around a central light.

A satin ribbon loop brings polish, while a tiny bead or bell finishes the bottom for a gentle chime. It pairs gracefully with tea sets, ceramic cranes, and silk runners.

Pastels create a serene mood, yet crimson petals with gold edges offer a festival-forward statement. Tucked inside a round hatbox, the lantern arrives like a floral surprise for shared dinners.

Steps

1. Cut petal shapes from tissue and lightweight cardstock for support.
2. Score and accordion-fold the petals, then glue into layered rings.
3. Form a rounded lantern by joining rings around a central core.
4. Attach a ribbon hanger and add an LED light within the core.

Lucky Red Envelope Lantern With Auspicious Shine

Red envelopes become a playful lattice that turns tradition into light. Small hongbao arranged in a geometric pattern create interlocking walls, each foil print reflecting a gentle glow.

Satin cords and coin charms enrich the palette, while a tassel drops from the base for movement. The lantern brings charm to entryways and brunch tables, pairing well with citrus bowls and orchid stems.

Shades of crimson mixed with copper or rose gold feel fresh, and patterned envelopes add whimsy. Presented with a note tucked inside one pocket, it doubles as a heartfelt greeting and festive décor piece.

Steps

1. Punch holes in red envelopes and lace them together into panels.
2. Join the panels to form a cube or cylinder, knotting cord at edges.
3. Create a top ring for stability and thread a tassel through the base.
4. Insert a battery tea light and add a hanging loop.

Bamboo Frame Fabric Lantern With Tea-Dye Tones

A lightweight bamboo armature holds semi-sheer fabric for a calm, organic lantern. Muslin, organza, or silk gauze wraps the frame, carrying tea-dyed gradients or hand-brushed ink swirls reminiscent of mountains and rivers.

Twine lashings add rustic texture against polished brass eyelets. The lantern complements rattan trays, linen runners, and ceramic vases, bringing a grounded counterpoint to brighter pieces.

Natural tones uplift minimalist interiors, while indigo or jade washes offer a bolder statement. Packaged with a roll of incense and a note of well wishes, it becomes a memorable gift for quiet evenings and reflective gatherings.

Steps

1. Create a cube or prism frame using thin bamboo sticks and twine lashings.
2. Measure and cut fabric panels, leaving margins for overlap.
3. Wrap and glue fabric to the frame, smoothing corners and edges.
4. Hang a small LED module inside and add a cord loop on top.

Origami Star Lantern Garland For Festive Doorways

Tiny star lanterns strung along a doorway lend a celestial sparkle to New Year gatherings. Washi papers in koi scales, plum blossoms, and cloud motifs fold into dimensional stars that cradle mini LEDs.

Metallic thread links the stars, while tiny tassels punctuate the strand. The garland layers beautifully with paper fans and pomanders, bringing rhythm and shimmer to a photo corner or dessert table.

Palette options range from red and gold to indigo and silver for a moonlit theme. Rolled into a keepsake tin, the strand travels safely to friends across town or across the country.

Steps

1. Fold star modules from square washi papers, leaving an opening for light.
2. Thread a micro LED string through the stars, spacing them evenly.
3. Tie small tassels between stars using metallic thread.
4. Drape across a doorway or mantel and switch on the lights.

Riddle Lantern With Secret Lunar Messages

Inspired by festival riddles, this lantern hides playful prompts within translucent pockets. Cardstock panels feature cut windows backed by vellum, while slim sleeves hold tiny scrolls tied with silk thread.

Gold speckles and brushwork bring energy, and a cord tassel hints at mystery. Friends gather to trade guesses as warm light gleams through the windows.

Color schemes range from crimson and onyx to jade and ivory, each pairing well with calligraphy brushes and snack trays. Presented with extra riddle slips and a small bell charm, it becomes an engaging centerpiece for evening gatherings.

Steps

1. Create cardstock panels with cutout windows and glue vellum behind them.
2. Add small paper pockets to the interior for riddle slips.
3. Assemble the panels into a lantern and attach a tassel to the base.
4. Place an LED light inside and insert rolled riddles into the pockets.

Auspicious Character Cutout Lantern: 福 And 春

Bold character cutouts turn light into a glowing blessing. Thick cardstock supports the forms, while frosted acetate diffuses radiance for crisp edges.

A satin top loop and braided knot add polish, and metallic flakes brighten every stroke. The lantern pairs beautifully with door couplets and citrus bowls, inviting good fortune near an entry or window.

Deep red with gold feels classic, though pearl white with champagne foil offers a modern twist. Presented with a small card explaining the characters, it becomes a thoughtful gift for housewarmings during the holiday season.

Steps

1. Trace the characters onto cardstock panels and cut out the strokes.
2. Affix frosted acetate behind the cutouts to create glowing windows.
3. Join panels to form a box or cylinder and reinforce the top rim.
4. Add a loop, tassel, and an LED candle inside.

Dragon Tail Streamer Lantern With Fiery Scales

A lantern crowned with a cascading dragon tail turns motion into magic. Layered papers and iridescent films create scale shapes that shimmer as air moves.

The main body carries an ember-like gradient from crimson to charcoal, while the tail blends gold, copper, and scarlet ribbons. It pairs nicely with drum props and paper cloud backdrops for performances or photo nooks.

Colorways can shift to emerald and jade for a forest dragon theme. Packed in a long box with tissue dividers, it transports safely to parades or school showcases.

Steps

1. Build a sturdy lantern core from cardstock and a circular frame.
2. Cut scale shapes from metallic papers and overlap them around the core.
3. Attach long ribbon and film streamers to form a flowing tail.
4. Install a battery light and finish with a hanging loop.

Firecracker Tube Lantern With Sparkling Fringe

This lantern channels the look of stacked firecrackers while offering a safe, light-filled interpretation. A cylindrical body wraps in crimson with foil bursts, and thin metallic fringe suggests sizzling sparks.

Braided cord rings and coin charms add festive detail without noise. The piece suits doorway corners, balcony railings, and buffet tables, especially when paired with tangerine bowls and paper fans.

Red and gold stay classic, while brick red with matte black details feels modern. Gifting it alongside a jar of candy and a small New Year card creates a cheerful package.

Steps

1. Wrap a cardstock tube in red paper and add gold foil patterns.
2. Create layered rings for the top and bottom to resemble firecracker stacks.
3. Attach metallic fringe and coin charms around the base.
4. Place an LED light inside and hang with braided cord.

Shadow Puppet Window Lantern With Story Panels

Storytelling comes alive through shadow puppet silhouettes framed in a windowed lantern. Layered cardstock scenes sit behind vellum panes, casting crisp outlines when illuminated.

Themes may include cranes in flight, children playing, or a dragon in gentle motion. A neutral frame lets the silhouettes shine, while minimal gold corners add polish.

The lantern pairs with a low tea table and scroll artwork for a cozy nook. Monochrome scenes feel cinematic, though muted color accents can highlight key elements.

Wrapped with a small booklet of tales, it becomes a conversation spark during dessert.

Steps

1. Cut window openings in sturdy cardstock and add vellum panes.
2. Create silhouette scenes from black paper and layer within the frame.
3. Assemble the lantern structure and reinforce edges with corner tabs.
4. Set an LED light inside to project the shadow story.

Citrus Blessing Lantern With Tangerine And Pomelo Motifs

Citrus patterns bring wishes for abundance into a cheerful lantern. Illustrations of tangerines, kumquats, and pomelos dance across translucent paper, with leafy sprigs and tiny blossoms for freshness.

A satin ribbon in leaf green complements the palette, while a beaded tassel lends sparkle. This design suits kitchen windows, breakfast nooks, and market stalls, pairing nicely with woven baskets and porcelain plates.

Colorway options include sunny oranges with cream, or jade prints on pale gold for a subtler take. Nestled in a fruit crate with tissue, it makes a charming gift for neighbors.

Steps

1. Print or stamp citrus motifs on translucent paper and let dry.
2. Wrap the patterned sheet around a frame to form the lantern body.
3. Secure a green ribbon at the top and add a beaded tassel.
4. Place an LED light inside and display near a window.

Cranes And Cloudscape Lantern In Misty Blues

Graceful cranes drift across a cloud-filled sky on this airy lantern. Watercolor blues and pearl white form a serene backdrop, while silver foil outlines catch soft glimmers.

The structure favors a cylindrical silhouette with a delicate top knot and a pale tassel. It pairs with blue-and-white ceramics and gauzy curtains, bringing calm to living rooms and bedrooms.

Alternate palettes explore dawn pinks or moonlit indigo. Presented with a small crane charm and a blessing card, this lantern offers poetry in light during festive evenings and quiet mornings alike.

Steps

1. Paint or print crane and cloud motifs on translucent vellum.
2. Form a cylinder around a hoop frame and secure the seam.
3. Add a top cord knot and a pale tassel at the base.
4. Insert an LED candle for a soft, misty glow.

Layered Peony Bloom Lantern With Velvet Petals

Peonies symbolize prosperity, and this lantern honors that with plush, layered petals. Lightweight velvet blends with crepe paper for tactile depth, while a satin center gleams under the light.

The rounded body feels like a bloom in mid-spring, pairing beautifully with lace table runners and lacquer trays. Crimson petals with gold edges feel festive, though blush with champagne accents suits romantic settings.

Nestled in a hatbox with tissue petals and a ribbon seal, it becomes a luxurious gift for family dinners or tea ceremonies.

Steps

1. Cut petal shapes from velvet and crepe paper in graduated sizes.
2. Form a spherical lantern core and glue petals from base to top.
3. Add a satin rosette center and a matching tassel beneath.
4. Place an LED light inside to illuminate the layered petals.

Calligraphy Panel Lantern With Ink-Washed Borders

Traditional calligraphy transforms into luminous panels wrapped around a structured frame. Rice paper letterforms glow against ink-washed borders that fade into soft gradients.

A slender wood dowel handle and braided knot provide balance, while a tassel anchors the base. This lantern pairs with scrolls, brushes, and inkstones for a gallery-like vignette.

Bold black strokes on cream feel classic, while gold ink on ruby paper adds celebration flair. Packaged with a miniature brush and blank slips for personalized messages, it makes a heartfelt keepsake for friends who cherish meaningful words.

Steps

1. Create calligraphy on rice paper and mount onto sturdier backing.
2. Cut the panels to size and add ink-washed borders if desired.
3. Assemble around a frame with tabs and reinforce corners.
4. Hang a tassel, add a handle or loop, and place an LED inside.

Plum Blossom Terrarium Lantern With Faux Branches

A clear-walled lantern becomes a tiny terrarium for plum blossoms. Transparent acetate panels reveal delicate faux branches dotted with pink buds, while a soft light glows beneath mossy paper.

Gold corner brackets add jewelry-like detail, and a ribbon in dusty rose completes the look. The lantern pairs with glass vases and mirrored trays, reflecting soft blooms from every angle.

Alternate versions explore white blossoms or tiny lantern charms nestled among the branches. Packed in a clear box tied with velvet ribbon, it arrives like a little greenhouse of hope.

Steps

1. Build a box frame with acetate windows and card supports.
2. Create faux branches from floral wire wrapped with brown paper tape.
3. Attach tiny paper blossoms along the branches and secure inside.
4. Add moss paper at the base, insert LED light, and finish with a ribbon.

Recycled Jar Lantern With Red Lace Paper Wrap

Glass jars gain new life as cozy lanterns wrapped in lace-cut paper. Intricate patterns cast lacy shadows across walls, while satin ribbon and coin charms add festive touches.

The mix of glass clarity and paper texture creates inviting contrast that suits window sills, stair landings, and patio tables. Classic red and gold sets the mood, though blackberry with copper or forest green with brass brings fresh character.

Wrapped with a tea tin and a cloth napkin, this lantern feels like a heartfelt upcycled gift.

Steps

1. Clean a glass jar and measure a lace-cut paper sleeve to fit.
2. Wrap the sleeve around the jar and secure the seam.
3. Tie a satin ribbon with a small coin charm at the neck.
4. Place a battery tealight inside and arrange on a tray.

Playful Lantern Mobile For Kids’ Reading Nooks

A cluster of mini lanterns turns a corner into a whimsical reading spot. Lightweight paper spheres and tiny box forms hang from a painted hoop, each with cheerful patterns like lucky knots, fish scales, and star bursts.

Felt pom-poms and cloud cutouts break up the shapes, while cool-to-touch LEDs keep things calm. Pastel palettes fit nurseries, whereas bright primaries match playrooms.

The mobile pairs with floor cushions and a basket of storybooks, bringing a gentle festive rhythm overhead. Packaged as a kit with pattern sheets, it makes a joyful family project.

Steps

1. Create multiple mini lanterns from patterned paper and secure tiny LEDs inside.
2. Paint an embroidery hoop and tie hanging cords at balanced points.
3. Suspend lanterns at different lengths and add felt clouds and pom-poms.
4. Hang the mobile from the ceiling hook above a reading nook.

Table Centerpiece Lantern With Twinkling String Lights

Designed for dining tables, this openwork lantern cradles a coiled string of tiny lights for a starry effect. Lattice panels in matte card create geometric shadows, while a mirrored base reflects warm sparkle upward.

Sprigs of eucalyptus, faux plum blossoms, or tiny fans nestle at the corners. Color options include onyx with gold, cream with rose gold, or ruby with champagne.

Surrounded by porcelain plates and silk napkins, it becomes the glowing heart of a feast. Packed flat in a slim box, it stores neatly for the next celebration.

Steps

1. Cut lattice panels and a sturdy base from cardstock or thin wood.
2. Assemble the frame and secure corners for stability.
3. Coil a micro LED string inside and add floral accents at the edges.
4. Set at the table center and switch on before guests arrive.

Mini Lantern Ornaments For Branches And Trees

Tiny lantern ornaments bring festival charm to branch displays and tabletop trees. Cube, cylinder, and fan shapes offer variety, each wrapped in patterned papers and edged with foil tape for polish.

Thread loops and petite tassels complete the look, while a gentle LED bead inside creates a soft dot of light. Sets can follow one palette or mix patterns like plum blossoms, waves, and coins.

Gifted in a sectioned box, they become heirloom accents that return each year to greet guests near the door or on a console table.

Steps

1. Create small lantern shapes from scraps of patterned paper and vellum.
2. Reinforce edges with foil tape and attach thread loops.
3. Add tiny tassels to the base of each ornament.
4. Insert LED beads where possible and hang on branches.

Lantern Gift Box That Lights From Within

A gift box doubles as a lantern, turning unwrapping into a glittering reveal. Cutout windows backed with vellum showcase patterned tissue inside, while a satin ribbon and wax seal elevate the presentation.

The box sits nicely on a bookshelf after gifting, continuing to glow during the holiday season. Palette ideas include ruby with pearl, midnight with silver, and apricot with gold.

Nestle a small treat or note within, then display on an entry console or bar cart. It becomes both a present and a lasting part of the décor.

Steps

1. Build a sturdy box with window cutouts and line them with vellum.
2. Add interior supports to hold an LED light module securely.
3. Wrap the gift inside with patterned tissue for visible color.
4. Tie with ribbon, seal, and switch on the light after gifting.