Preparation for Lantern Festival

Homemade is always best in my book as it is always more gratifying and without a doubt, more memorable. We've resorted to commercially-made lanterns in the past 3 years and this year, Mum has decided to make one out of recycled materials. I'm trying to reduce my carbon footprint remember? So I've to talk the talk and walk the walk!

Materials for my lantern are simple:

• 1 plastic folder (preferably with prints)
• Scissors
• Super Glue
• String
• 1 empty drink carton
• 2 ice cream sticks
• 1 circular plate
• Marker/pen

Here are the steps IF you're interested to make one for yourself or your kid too!

• Place the plate over the plastic folder and trace circular shapes on both sides and cut out both circles.
• Hold the 2 circles together and punch holes on the top of them.
• Cut out the bottom of the empty drink carton and glue it the lower end of a circle. The other circle follows thereafter.
• Measure the ice cream sticks against the width of the cut-out empty carton, make a marking and bend along the markings on 2 ends. It will look like a bench if properly bended.
• Glue the ice cream sticks onto the 2 circles. This is to make the lantern more steady.
• Thread the string through the punched holes and tie a dead knot.

Tadah! All done. Simple isn't it? That's not all. I also made some paper lanterns, a craft that I remembered from my primary school days, to be used as decorations in the house! Now.. gota also educate Rynae on the meaning behind all these..