A Warm Welcome: How to Style Lanterns for the Holiday Season

I am all decked out for the holidays and I will be doing my 2020 Christmas Home Tour right after Thanksgiving! For the moment though, I thought I would share some of my favorite decorations with you. No surprise…they are my holiday lanterns!

Everyone knows I am obsessed with lanterns.  I blame my sister for that.  She could open a store and retire on the profits if she sold all of hers!  But they are just so much fun and this is by far my favorite season to decorate them.

The best thing about investing in lanterns is how easily they can be transitioned from season to season. You can make them as simple or as elaborate as you want. With minor changes, you have a new decoration every time the weather changes!

Add a Candle to Your Holiday Lanterns

Most of my smaller holiday lanterns simply hold a candle or two and a pretty Christmas bow.  These are the perfect size to use in bathrooms, on small tables, or wherever I need a little bit of warm Christmas light.  

This one is in the powder room and is simply there to provide a pretty little accent.  I’ve also added a small one to the bar for the same reason.

Simply by adding a candle, a lantern becomes a favorite Christmas decoration that can be easily changed at the end of the season.

These small winter lanterns add so much to my Christmas ladder.  They will stay out for the entire winter season.   I will move them to the space above the kitchen cabinets to add a little warmth once I put my Christmas decorations away.

In the guest room, this lantern is so welcoming and I make sure to have it glowing when guests arrive.  It is one of the few that I have with a built in candle.  I usually steer clear of those since I like to change the look so often.  But this one has such a nautical feel to it so it’s perfect in the coastal themed lower level.  A pretty bow and some greenery was all it needed.

Likewise, this one has it’s own candle as well. I love it because it needs nothing added and I can use it during Christmas and keep it out for the whole winter season!

And of course…in a family room full of bears, I needed at least one lantern that would bring that theme home!

Add a Christmas Scene to Your Holiday Lanterns

Holiday lanterns are pretty no matter where you choose to put them.  I especially love the ones that are large enough to fill with a Christmas scene.   This one was just inside the entry last year. I have switched it to a smaller one that can sit on the entry table this time. Such a fun one! Rudolph, Clarice, and even Burl Ives are hanging out inside for the season.  I added some battery operated candy cane lights to the tree  and a pretty Christmas bow. 

My living room is a little more formal than most rooms in the house but it is one of my favorite places.  Since we don’t spend a lot of time in there, I can fill it with breakables and never give it another thought!  The only time it sees a lot of traffic is during the years we’ve had our Christmas parties.  Then, it was the place where guests would go for one on one conversations when the rest of the house was filled with people.  Needless to say, there will not be a Christmas party this year but it turned out pretty nonetheless.  

The lantern I’ve chosen for this room is done in white and gold like the Christmas tree here. In fact, the bow was made from the same ribbon that I used on the tree so it ties in very well.   The pretty little church lights up and the gold tree and truck complete the scene.  Perfect for this room!

Add Lights to Your Holiday Lanterns

My largest lantern is inside for the season.  It is normally on the front porch but I’ve brought it in for this!

Is he adorable or what???? Add lights to a favorite decoration and your holiday lantern comes to life!

I love using lanterns outdoors too. Such a warm feeling for someone coming up the walk to visit. This year I added a small one to my front porch wreath.

I thought I would share just a few more holiday lanterns from the lantern queen herself, my sister. I especially love the one she added to her island tray!

So many lanterns…so little time! Hard to believe Christmas is right around the corner!

Be sure to check back often as we decorate our way through the holiday season. If you haven’t yet subscribed, simply click on the link below. Subscribing will give you immediate access to everything in the Printable Library. Find a fun new holiday printable to ring in the season by clicking here. You’ll be the first to know when something new is added and I’ll keep you up to date with everything happening in holiday decor. Be sure to check out my Simple Hot Chocolate Bar post and get your free labels to set up your own for the season.

See you soon!