5 min read
Outdoor dinner parties feel warmer and more inviting when soft light glows above the table. Accordion fold paper lanterns are one of the simplest ways to create that glow. They use basic paper, a few household supplies, and a folding method that anyone can learn in an afternoon. Unlike store-bought lanterns, handmade versions let you choose colors that match your table, your season, or your theme. You can make a full set for a party in one sitting, and the finished lanterns fold flat for storage when the evening ends. This guide walks through the full process, from choosing paper to hanging the finished lanterns safely.
What You Need for Accordion Fold Lanterns
Start with paper that holds a crease but still lets light through. Lightweight cardstock in the 160 to 200 gsm range works well, as does sturdy scrapbook paper. Standard printer paper is too thin and tears at the folds, while heavy chipboard is hard to crease and blocks too much light. Choose colors that fit your party. Warm cream, soft gold, and pale blush give a gentle glow, while deep teal or terracotta look striking against an evening sky. For a set of six lanterns, plan on six sheets of paper, each at least 30 cm by 20 cm. You will also need a ruler, a pencil, a bone folder or the edge of a credit card, a glue stick or double-sided tape, a hole punch, string or thin wire, and a set of battery-operated tea lights. Real candles should never go inside paper lanterns. Battery tea lights are safer, they last for hours, and they will not scorch the paper.
Folding the Accordion Panels Step by Step
The accordion fold is the heart of this project, and it is easy once you set up the first few creases. Lay one sheet of paper flat with the long edge facing you. Use a ruler and a pencil to mark lines every 2.5 cm along the top and bottom edges. Lightly score each line with a bone folder so the paper folds exactly where you want it. Begin folding at one short edge. Fold the first panel up, then flip the sheet and fold the next panel down. Continue this back-and-forth pattern until the whole sheet is folded like a fan. Press each crease firmly so the accordion holds its shape. When the sheet is fully folded, you should have a neat stack of even panels. Check that the panels are all the same width. If a panel is wider or narrower than the rest, unfold and refold it before you move on. Even panels make the finished lantern look balanced, and they help the lantern hang straight. For a taller lantern, join two folded sheets end to end with a strip of double-sided tape before shaping. For a shorter lantern, trim the sheet before folding. The accordion method is forgiving, so small mistakes are easy to fix by refolding a single panel.
Assembling and Hanging Your Lanterns
Once your panels are folded, shape each one into a lantern. Bring the two short ends of the folded sheet together to form a ring. Overlap the end panels by about one centimeter and glue them with a glue stick or a strip of double-sided tape. Hold the join for thirty seconds so the adhesive sets. Next, gently pull the top edge of the ring inward and the bottom edge outward to open the accordion into a rounded shape. Work slowly and even out the folds as you go. If the lantern looks lopsided, press the tall side down and stretch the short side until the shape is even. Punch two small holes opposite each other near the top edge. Thread a length of string or thin wire through the holes and tie it to form a hanging loop. Make the loop long enough to hang the lantern at the height you want, usually 20 to 30 cm above the table. For a row of lanterns, hang them from a single line of string stretched between two posts, a tree branch, or a pergola beam. Space the lanterns about 40 cm apart so each one has room to glow. Drop one battery tea light into each lantern before hanging it. Turn the lights on just before guests arrive so the batteries last through the evening.
Lighting, Safety, and Weather Tips
Safety matters most when paper and light meet. Use only battery-operated lights inside paper lanterns. Never use real candles, oil lamps, or sparklers near them. Keep lanterns away from grills, fire pits, and patio heaters. Hang them high enough that guests cannot brush against them. If the evening turns windy, take the lanterns down or move them to a sheltered spot. Strong wind can tear the paper and blow a lantern into a flame source. Light rain will ruin paper lanterns, so check the forecast before you hang them. If a shower starts, bring them inside and let them dry flat.
Accordion fold paper lanterns prove that a simple fold can change the mood of a whole evening. They are cheap, quick, and easy to customize, and they pack flat when the party ends.