How to Make an Ice Lantern

Use winter's frosty temps to your advantage when decorating your home's outdoors for the holidays. These ice lanterns are pretty, festive and just require water, plastic containers and a chill in the air.
Easy to Make: Ice Lanterns

Inexpensive Holiday Decor

These ice lanterns are very easy to make, incredibly inexpensive (practically free!) and are absolutely beautiful when lit on your doorstep through a cold night.

Photo by: Marian Parsons

Marian Parsons

Materials Needed:

water
medium to large plastic containers
plastic cups
evergreen sprigs and/or winter berries (optional)
tea lights/pillar candles
lighter

Pour Water into Containers

Fill a small plastic cup with water and put inside a larger plastic container. Fill large plastic container with water. As an option, add evergreen sprigs and/or berries to water to add some color and texture. Carefully put inside a freezer (or outside if temperatures are below freezing.) Allow it to freeze for several hours or overnight. Tip: The size and shape of the lanterns are only limited by the containers you find. Try making two huge ones to flank a front door by using 5 gallon buckets and large pillar candles.

Pouring Water for Lanterns

Pour Water in Containers

Fill a small plastic cup with water and put inside a larger plastic container. Fill large plastic containers with water. As an options, add evergreen sprigs and/or berries to water to add some color and texture. Carefully put inside a freezer (or outside if temperatures are below freezing.) Allow it to freeze for several hours or overnight.

Photo by: Marian Parsons

Marian Parsons

Unmold Lanterns

Run warm water over outside of large plastic container to unmold lantern. The ice may crack, but the cracks look beautiful against the candlelight. Set outside and insert tea light candle or pillar candle that will fit inside ice lantern. (Never leave candles unattended.) 

Holiday Ice Lanterns

Shimmering Lanterns

Ice lanterns are beautiful, shimmering illuminated orbs that are easy to make and guaranteed to brighten every holiday season.

Photo by: Marian Parsons

Marian Parsons

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