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From Jars to Stars: Crafting Christmas Mason Jar Lanterns

A delightful way to sprinkle some creative cheer into your holidays is by crafting festive lanterns from jelly or mason jars. Put on your crafting hat as we dive into three essential tips to make your lanterns twinkle with Christmas spirit!

Materials & Preparation

I like crafts that come out of poverty or necessity. There used to be hobby shops where you’d get your supplies, and then you’d use your imagination. ~Amy Sedaris

To begin, gather your favorite crafting supplies:

• mason jars or similar twinkling glass containers in various sizes
• epsom salt to serve as a decorative snow coating
• festive ribbons and decorative elements such as small ornaments, artificial pine sprigs, berries, snowflakes, etc.
• craft glue can be used for a variety of treatments
• paint or dye
• brushes, dabbers, sponges
• clear coat (liquid or spray)
• a glue gun
• some sturdy twine or wire for hanging your creations by the chimney with care
• tea lights or strings of petite fairy lights (battery-operated for a safe, merry glow)

Organizing your materials and cozying up your crafting nook in advance will ensure the entire experience is as smooth as a sleigh ride over fresh snow. Arranging your materials for ease of access as you do your projects will help to keep stress low and creativity high.

Of course, the best way to plan your crafting time is to decide on your desired result. There are a wonderful variety of techniques for creating DIY holiday lanterns such as snow-coating, stained glass, decoupage and many more.

Decorating Your Jars

As the splendid examples above have shown, this is your chance to let your creativity shine!

Imagine painting your jars with merry scenes of snowflakes and Santas, or adding a sprinkle of glitter that catches the light like fresh snow. Consider some of these techniques for dressing your jars in holiday style:

Wrap those jars in ribbons that ripple with festive joy, transforming each one into a unique ornament that dances with the spirit of the season.

For that enchanting touch of winter’s kiss, a gentle misting with frosted glass spray can cloak your jars in a chilly, magical frost.

And while the warm glow of real candles can be tempting, remember to prioritize safety with battery-operated tea lights, ensuring a safe, splendid holiday glow.

Let’s deck the halls with these charming DIY lanterns and fill our homes with the warmth and sparkle of Christmas cheer!

Assembly & Display

I’m a big fan of Amy Sedaris, and one of her decorating mainstays is to put googly eyes on everything. ~Wendi McLendon-Covey

Once you’ve adorned your jars with festive flair, it’s time to add a whimsical twist: secure a length of craft wire or sturdy decorative twine around the top of each jar to fashion a charming handle for hanging.

Nestle a glowing battery-operated tea light inside to bring your lantern to life with a cozy, inviting glow.

These enchanting lanterns can twinkle from the boughs of your Christmas tree, illuminate your window sills with holiday warmth or add a magical glimmer to your table centerpiece.

They offer a soft, serene light that you can tailor to harmonize with any holiday décor theme, filling your home with a merry Yuletide glow!

In the shortest days of the year, anything that brings light to the world is a blessing and a joy. Take these simple steps to add your brilliance to the holiday season.