A New Lantern Idea–Day of the Lights is coming

So, in Aviandria, they have this holiday called the Day of the Lights. If you want to know more about it, you can read about it here. Every year (though I’ve missed some), I like to post an idea of a lantern you could make if you want to celebrate it yourself. (They aren’t all that stressed about cultural appropriation in Aviandria, so no one is going to be offended if you want to borrow this tradition. They’d think it was great you wanted to try.) They aren’t necessarily lanterns they would make in Aviandria (we have access to more materials, and I take advantage of this) but Aviandrians would love them. Here is one for this year.

How to make a can lantern:

1. Find a good size of can. I like to use at least a 28oz kind. Smaller might work, but the 28oz kind is just about right in my opinion. You can experiment with different sizes and shapes if you want. There isn’t really a wrong or right kind for this.
2. Find something solid to put inside that you can drive nails into. Some people put a piece of scrap wood or something inside. I froze water inside mine to make ice. This is certainly the easiest if you don’t have the right size of wood handy, but I will warn you of a couple of things you have to keep in mind with the ice method. First, if you just fill the can with water and stick it in the freezer, the water will expand as it freezes and make the bottom of the can bulge out. It’s not the end of the world, but it makes it hard to set the lantern down unless you can pop it back in. It will never be quite as nicely shaped after though. If you want to avoid this, you have to freeze it in layers. Start by freezing a thin layer. When that is frozen, add another layer, no more than an inch or so thick. Keep adding layers like that until it is filled. It takes a while, so you will want to plan plenty of time in advance. Probably at least a couple of days.
3. Use a dry-erase marker or something that will wash off (makeup pencil maybe?) to make the design you want. Keep in mind, it is going to be a lot of little holes, so something not too detailed, otherwise your design will just be a jumble of holes. Also, you can do a design for each side (or even third if they aren’t huge). I did a star-like burst on one part of my can so it can double for a Christmas decoration, a moon on another part, and Aviandria’s roc symbol on the third part.
4. Use a nail and a hammer to make holes along your design. Make the holes large enough for light to shine through and far enough apart they don’t just turn into one big hole. If you are using the ice method, be aware the ice will break off in chunks and fall out, so it is a good idea to do this over a towel so you don’t get a melted puddle on whatever surface you are working on.
5. Make sure you have two holes near the top opposite to each other so you can hang a handle. I used string for mine, but this makes it a little risky to use a real candle because it could be a potential fire danger. If you can find a wire (a cheap wire hanger that you can unbend and snip a piece off works well) or something not flammable, it makes this a nice little lantern for a tealight. Attach the handle (tie the string, or twist the wire ends).
6. Put a candle in. If you are using a real candle, with real flame, make sure you don’t leave it unattended, or near anything flammable (curtains, blankets, etc.) and all that fire safety stuff. These are also great with those little battery-powered candles they sell at the dollar store. That’s what I recommend if you used string, or have little people around the home. Use caution when placing the candle inside the can (and lighting it if you are using a real candle, since you will want to light it after you put it in the can, not before). The inside of the can will be very sharp where the holes are and could cut your hand. This is part of the reason I prefer a fatter can. To avoid this, drop the candle in and use something (a fork, spoon, stick, etc.) to get it to where you want it. If you need to light it, use a long match or lighter with a long stem thing. Also, if you have children, make sure you watch them around it so they don’t get cut by it.

Anyhow, there you have it. A fun, not too complicated lantern idea. What designs would, or better yet, will you put on your lantern?