Advent is a special time of year when Christians prepare for the coming of Jesus. Traditional Advent lanterns are an inseparable element of this joyful season. Did you know that you can easily and cheaply make them yourself at home? Here are four inspiring ways to create unique decorations for Rorate Mass and to decorate your home.
Lighting in the Christian Tradition
In Christian tradition, light symbolizes the good news and the coming of Jesus into the world. Advent lanterns play an important role in this symbolism - in the past, the faithful would bring them with them to the Rorate Mass to light their way to church. Although today the Rorate Masses take place at different times, Advent lanterns are still extremely popular and are often used to decorate homes in the pre-holiday period.
How to make a Rorate lantern from a jar?
One of the easiest and most common ways to create your own Rorate lantern is to use an ordinary jar.
Materials needed to make an Advent lantern from a jar
- jar (previously cleaned of labels and stickers),
- technical block,
- scissors,
- pencil,
- dish sponge,
- paint in the color of your choice,
- lacquer,
- spruce twigs and dried orange slices.
Step by step instructions
- Cut out selected shapes from the construction paper, e.g. Christmas trees, and glue them to the outside of the jar.
- Using a dish sponge, apply two coats of paint to the jar.
- Once the paint has dried, peel off the stencil and remove any remaining glue.
- Fix the paint with varnish.
- Place spruce branches, dried oranges, and a battery-powered lamp inside the jar.
Advent lantern made of a jar with a frost effect
If you want to give your Advent lantern a more wintery, frosty look, try this method. You can achieve the frost effect in an easy and cheap way, without having to reach for expensive sprays.
Materials needed to make a frosted Advent lantern
- jar,
- coarse salt,
- fine-grained salt,
- glue.
Step by step instructions
- Cover the jar with a thick layer of glue.
- Roll the jar in coarse salt and then in fine salt.
- Leave the lantern to dry completely overnight.
- Place tea light candles or a battery-powered lamp inside.
Advent lantern made of cardboard
If you want to create a more decorative Advent lantern , try making one from cardboard. What you will need:
Materials needed to make a cardboard lantern
- cardboard,
- colored tissue paper,
- scissors,
- glue,
- pencil,
- line,
- lamp.
Step by step instructions
- Draw a template for the lantern walls on the cardboard - they should be approximately 9 cm x 14 cm in size, remembering to add tabs for gluing.
- Cut out windows on two walls, and on the remaining ones you can cut out any motifs, e.g. stars or angels.
- Glue colored tissue paper on the outside to cover the cut out holes and shapes.
- Make a lantern holder from a cut strip of cardboard or string.
- Decorate the walls of the lantern according to your own idea (beads, sequins, glitter, stickers).
Once you put a light inside, your cardboard Advent lantern will beautifully illuminate the interior of your home.
Advent lantern made from a plastic bottle
Another idea for creating your own Rorate lantern is to use a clear plastic bottle. How to do it:
Materials needed to make a bottle Rorate lantern
- clear plastic bottle,
- sheet of paper,
- scissors,
- glue,
- string,
- lamps.
Step by step instructions
- Peel the label off the bottle and cut off the neck.
- Cut out the selected patterns on the sheet of paper, e.g. stars or snowflakes.
- Place the lights inside the bottle.
- Wrap the bottle in the prepared patterned paper and glue it at the joints.
- Make two holes in the top of the lantern and run the string through them.
An eye-catching Advent lantern made from a plastic bottle will beautifully illuminate your home in the pre-Christmas period.
Get inspired:
Practical tips and inspiration
No matter which way you choose to make an Advent lantern , remember to put a battery-powered light inside instead of traditional candles. This is a much safer solution. Advent lanterns are not only a decoration for Rorate, but also a beautiful decoration for your home throughout the Advent and Christmas period.
You can also experiment with different materials and techniques to create truly unique and one-of-a-kind lanterns. Decorations made of natural materials such as twigs, dried fruit or pine cones will show a warm, festive character. Additions in the form of colorful ribbons, beads or glitter will make your lanterns real works of art.
Remember that handmade Advent lanterns are not only a beautiful decoration, but also a great way to spend creative time with family or friends. Get involved together in creating these magical decorations and experience unforgettable moments.
Summary
Making your own Advent lanterns is a great way to create unique, personal decorations for this special time of year. With our inspiring ideas, you can easily and cheaply make beautiful lanterns from jars, cardboard or plastic bottles. We recommend that you install safe battery-powered lighting. Your Advent lanterns will be a beautiful decoration for your home and also a symbol of the joyful expectation of the birth of Jesus. Involve your loved ones in this creative process and create magical decorations together that will please the eye throughout the Advent period.
See also: