Although paper lanterns usually do not come assembled, they are one of the easier things in life to set up. They are available in many sizes, colors, and shapes. You may want to rush into setting it up, but please read a guide like this first, as if you are not careful, you can ruin your lantern. There are a few things to watch out for.

Paper lanterns are usually globe shaped, so their design is fairly simple to work with. The come flat, and they are flat for so long that they like to revert back to this flat state. To prevent them from doing so, an expander is included, which will go inside your lantern. An expander is almost always provided. You will need to get a cord with a socket on the end on your own, as this is usually not provided; these usually are ten or fifteen feet in length. Measure the distance between the outlet and where you want the lantern to hang before buying a cord.

Because the paper is so easy to rip, inserting the expander requires extra careful attention. Be sure you pay attention. You will see that there are two holes in your lantern, and they are not the same size. The bigger one is the top; you will insert the expander here. Notice the grooves on the top and bottom of the expander; these grooves are going to come into contact with the paper on the edges of the holes in the lantern. First, get the grooves on the bottom in place, and then expand the lantern manually so it snaps onto the grooves on the top. You are done! That was easy, right?

Now, you will need to run the cord, but plug it in first; this is so you get an accurate picture. If you need to run the cord on the ceiling, use hooks to hang it. As an alternative, you can tape it to the ceiling with a strong tape, but this requires a lot of tape and looks incredibly silly (though, if appearances do not matter, and you do not have hooks, then go for it). You will want to work your way from the outlet to the socket; when you get to the socket, be sure it is hanging straight down. This is absolutely critical; if it is off even a little bit, readjust until it is straight.

Screw the lightbulb in next, but be sure you unplug the cord before doing so. Be sure the lightbulb does not exceed the maximum recommended wattage for the cord you are using. Sixty watts is the most common. After the bulb is screwed in, you can attach the lantern. Insert the lightbulb through the top, and then let the lantern hang from the socket. This should be easy.

Now, turn on the lantern. If you do not see any light, check to see that the bulb is screwed in all the way, and check that you did not forget to plug the cord back in. If you still do not see any light, you may have a faulty cord or other electrical problem, in which case you should check with an electrician. This next step is the easiest: enjoy your lantern! Paper lanterns are safe, cheap, and aesthetically appealing alternatives to traditional lighting fixtures, and they will provide you with dim, beautiful light which will go well in many settings.

Cody Scholberg, a lighting expert, writes about chinese paper lanterns and their uses as lighting sources. Learn how to use paper lanterns safely.

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