Assembling Your Paper Lantern

Paper lanterns usually come disassembled, so you will need to put them together before using them. Do not worry, for this is really easy to do. That being said, do not rush into assembling them as soon as you get your lantern. You should first read the instructions or a guide like this, as they are fragile.

Paper lanterns are usually globe shaped, so their design is fairly simple to work with. The come flat, and they are flat for so long that they like to revert back to this flat state. To prevent them from doing so, an expander is included, which will go inside your lantern. An expander is almost always provided. You will need to get a cord with a socket on the end on your own, as this is usually not provided; these usually are ten or fifteen feet in length. Measure the distance between the outlet and where you want the lantern to hang before buying a cord.

Extra attention is needed when inserting the expander, because the paper is so easy to rip. Notice the two holes in the lantern: one is bigger than the other. The bigger hole is the top of the lantern, so insert the bottom of the expander into it. The grooves on the expander will come into contact with the edges of the circles in the lantern, so hook the grooves to the circle on the bottom first. Then, pull the lantern up, expanding it, and let the top circle rest on the grooves on the top of the expander.

Now, you will need to run the cord, but plug it in first; this is so you get an accurate picture. If you need to run the cord on the ceiling, use hooks to hang it. As an alternative, you can tape it to the ceiling with a strong tape, but this requires a lot of tape and looks incredibly silly (though, if appearances do not matter, and you do not have hooks, then go for it). You will want to work your way from the outlet to the socket; when you get to the socket, be sure it is hanging straight down. This is absolutely critical; if it is off even a little bit, readjust until it is straight.

Put the light bulb in the socket and screw it in, but unplug the cord from outlet first! Do not get electrocuted. The light bulb should not have a higher wattage than the maximum recommended for your cord. The usual is sixty, but higher wattage cords are available. Be sure you know your max before installing a light bulb. When you have the bulb screwed in, you are ready to attach the lantern. This is an easy step: insert the bulb, and have the lantern rest on the socket. You will be able to figure out how to get it to stay.

This next step is the easiest: turn it on! If it does not come on, it is probably a loose light bulb, or you forgot to plug the lantern in. If it is not those things, then you have an electrical problem or a faulty cord. Now, it is time to enjoy your lantern. It is a cheap, safe, and attractive alternative to traditional lighting fixtures, and it will provide you with beautiful, dim light which you can enjoy in a variety of settings, such as in a romantic dinner or in an Asian-themed room.