Simple Holiday Crafts - How to Make Ice Lanterns

A Cheap and Cheerful Winter Decorating Idea

Oct 4, 2009 Lauren Flanagan

When the weather outside turns frightful, cheer things up with an inexpensive winter favorite.

Stunning to behold, yet simple to make, ice lanterns are a beautiful and charming way to welcome guests on a cold winter's night. Set some on the porch or line driveways and walkways to create your very own winter wonderland.

When it comes to outdoor winter decorating it doesn't get any easier or any less expensive than homemade ice lanterns.

There are a few easy ways to make ice lanterns. Here are two:

Use a Balloon to Make an Ice Lantern

Fill a balloon with water and place it in the freezer.
Once it has partially frozen, remove it from the freezer.
Carefully peel away the balloon.
Poke a hole in the top big enough for a votive to fit through.
Pour out any excess water.
Drop a votive through the hole and light it with a barbecue lighter or fireplace match.

When making several of these, don't expect them to all look exactly the same. Depending on how frozen they are when the water is poured out, the area where the candle sits will be different. The thickness of the ice will vary, as will the amount of light that shines through.

Use a Bucket to Make an Ice Lantern

Fill a large bucket about ¾ of the way full.
Place a smaller container (such as a coffee can) inside the bucket and weigh it down with some rocks or other heavy items.
Use duct tape to hold down the container. Place a strip (or two) across the top of the bucket to prevent the smaller container from bobbing up. The top of the small container should be about even with the top of the bucket.
Leave the bucket outside overnight (if it's cold enough) or place it in the freezer. Wait until frozen.
Run warm water over the bucket to loosen the ice inside and then remove the ice.
Pour some warm water into the smaller container to loosen it and then remove. The area left is perfect for placing a pillar candle.

For a more decorative version of the above lantern, add small pieces of evergreen branches, citrus fruits, and cranberries into the bucket of water. When it freezes it will have an extra special decorative touch.

Keep in mind that ice lanterns don't have to be huge. They can easily be made on a smaller scale using smaller cups and tealights. Use smaller items to line the top of a fence or outdoor windowsill.

Ice lanterns will help turn any outdoor area into a winter wonderland. Use them to line sidewalks, driveways, paths, porches, or scatter them around the front and back yards when entertaining. Even if people don't venture outside, it will provide a lovely view when gazing out the window.

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Winter Ice