DIY Party Lanterns with Napkins and Glitter

This is yet another great way to DIY your next celebration – decorate party lanterns with napkins, glitter, and Mod Podge. So easy!

Are you ready to get your summer party on? Not quite – you don’t have paper lanterns yet! I love party lanterns, but I don’t always love how they are plain white. So like I always do, I decided to jazz one up with Mod Podge.

If you want to know the truth, I’d never decoupaged with napkins before I tried this project. It turned out not to be so hard at all! A little glitter and Mod Podge and I was good to go. Here’s how I decorated my paper lantern.

Outdoor Party Lanterns

Gather These Supplies

• Paper lantern(s) – these can be found online, at Target, at IKEA or in packs at the dollar store
• Mod Podge Satin (you can use any formula, really)
• Napkins – as many as you need, I used about 6
• Scissors or a Die Cutter
• Paintbrush
• Glue
• Glitter in your choice of shades

First I separated the patterned part of the napkin from the back part. Tear carefully because napkins are fragile when they are in separate sheets.

I ran the napkins through my die cutter using floral shapes. You can cut anything out of the napkin that you want. Now that I think about it, it might have been fun to just do big polka dots!

Mod Podge the flower shape onto the lantern. My napkin pieces were so thin that I didn’t even have to Mod Podge underneath the shape.

I just placed it down, carefully Mod Podged over the top and it soaked right in. Be careful not to tear. Patting down with the end of the brush helps.

When I was done I coated the whole lantern with Mod Podge and let it dry. Did you know it’s harder to tear the lanterns after they’ve been covered?

Because I can’t leave anything alone, I decided to get fancy with some glitter. I had an ultra fine tip on my glue bottle, but you don’t necessarily need it.

Sprinkle glitter on your glue and shake off the excess.

Admire your handiwork. You only have 29 more to go before you are ready for your outdoor party. See you there!

If you enjoyed this craft, I’d love for you to try these other ideas!

• Unique Garden Crafts For Your Outdoor Space
• Paper Napkin Decoupage on a Wood Frame
• Easy Party Crafts: 60+ Ideas for a Festive Celebration!
• Mason Jar Lanterns with a Faux Beach Glass Finish
• Decoupage Dollar Tree Candles with Napkins