Make Ice Lanterns

Courtesy of Marian Parsons

Merry Christmas Friends,

Get an assist from Mother Nature (or your freezer) to turn plastic cartons filled with water into magical ice lanterns to display either indoors or out. Make your own with the following tips.

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.

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.



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.)



Happy Holiday decorating...

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Live well,
Yvonne