DIY Project
About

Recycled · Christmas · Teens

Fairy light jar lantern

A frosted glass jar packed with tiny lights, a soft night light for your shelf or nightstand.

Fairy light jar lantern
LevelBeginner
AgesAges 10 and up
Time30 minutes plus drying
Cost$6 to $12
WinterChristmasDollar storeUnder $20Gifts

What you'll need

Materials

Tick them off as you find them.

Tools

How to make it

Safety

Use LED lights only, since they stay cool inside a closed jar.

  1. Step 1: Clean the jar
    1

    Clean the jar

    Peel the label and wash off the sticky stuff. Dry it fully.

  2. Step 2: Tear the tissue
    2

    Tear the tissue

    Rip tissue paper into pieces about the size of a stamp.

  3. Step 3: Frost the glass
    3

    Frost the glass

    Brush glue on a section, press tissue on, and brush over it. Overlap the pieces.

  4. Step 4: Let it dry
    4

    Let it dry

    Wait 1 hour. The cloudy look clears into a soft frosted glow.

  5. Step 5: Fill it up
    5

    Fill it up

    Feed the lights into the jar. Tape the battery box to the inside of the lid.

  6. Step 6: Light it
    6

    Light it

    Flip the switch and screw the lid on.

Edie's tip

White tissue gives a clean glow. Colored tissue tints the whole room.

Written by the DIY Project team. How we check · Report a mistake

More teens and students projects

Make this next

See all 100

3D paper snowflakes
Paper

3D paper snowflakes

Big, layered snowflakes made from 6 rolled paper arms, hanging from your ceiling or window.

Intermediate45 minutes each$2 to $6
Chunky knit blanket
Yarn

Chunky knit blanket

A huge, cozy blanket knit with your hands and chunky chenille yarn, done in 1 afternoon.

Intermediate3 hours$35 to $60
Yarn wrapped desk trees
Yarn

Yarn wrapped desk trees

Mini Christmas trees made by wrapping paper cones in yarn, a holiday forest for your desk or windowsill.

Beginner45 minutes for 3$4 to $10