Last year, gingerbread houses were everywhere…and it looks like this holiday season is no different! While browsing the festive aisles, I noticed something was missing…gingerbread lanterns! Unlike traditional gingerbread houses, these charming lanterns aren’t just cute, they double as cozy holiday décor or unique gift holders. Trust me, once you make one, you’ll wonder why you hadn’t seen these everywhere before!
In this post, I’ll cover:
- What you’ll need to make your own gingerbread lantern
- Step-by-step directions
- Helpful tips and creative add-ons
Supplies You’ll Need
- Lanterns (I used these!)
- Brown spray paint (I used the color Nutmeg)
- White puffy paint
- Toothpicks (for touch-ups)
- Paper towels or wipes (for quick clean-ups)
- Flameless candles or LED tea lights
Directions
1) Paint the Lanterns: Start by spray painting your lanterns brown to mimic the look of gingerbread. The shade Nutmeg gives that perfect warm, baked cookie color. Let them dry completely before moving on.
2) Add the Icing Details: Use white puffy paint to draw your “icing” designs (think swirls, dots, hearts, and snowflakes)! Don’t stress about perfection. The best part of puffy paint is that if you make a smudge or mistake, you can easily wipe it off before it dries and start again.
3) Touch Up and Perfect: If you need to fix small areas or sharpen lines, a toothpick works perfectly for detail work.
4) Light Them Up or Prepare to Gift: Once your lanterns are dry, place candles or LED tea lights inside. When they glow, they look just like gingerbread houses lit from within! Alternatively, you can use them as fun gift holders, think a bottle of wine, a hot cocoa gift pack or a gift card holder.
Tips & Add-Ons
- Mix sizes: Use a few different lantern sizes to create a gingerbread village effect.
- Add faux snow: Sprinkle artificial snow or Epsom salt around the base for a frosty touch.
- Incorporate color: Add a bit of red or green puffy paint for festive accents like candy canes or gumdrops.
- Find inspiration: Google and Pinterest are perfect for finding gingerbread house inspiration. Don’t be afraid to borrow patterns from creations others have shared!
- Use battery candles: They’re safer and give off a warm, cozy glow. I also don’t know how the puffy paint would react if the metal lanterns got warm.
- Use the lanterns as gift holders: Instead of using a traditional gift bag or box, use your lanterns as gift holders that doubles as décor! Check out the video below!
Final Thoughts
These DIY gingerbread lanterns are a fun and festive project that bring holiday magic to any space. They’re proof that with just a few supplies and a little creativity, you can create décor that looks store-bought but feels handmade with heart.
For more DIY ideas, check out the Decor Steals Journal, and don’t miss our Holiday Collection for one-of-a-kind festive finds.