DIY Life

Summer is in full swing, as are outdoor picnics, parties and wedding receptions. If you haven't taken your turn at outdoor dining, then it is time to pretty up your patio or picnic table, and sit down to some char-grilled delicacies.

Evening dining is tops; nothing beats watching the sun set on a glorious summer day. Since you probably love to sit outside after dark, and do not relish the thought of having to go in the house right away as twilight comes, you can stay outdoors a little while longer with homemade paper table lanterns.
Derek and Lauren at Design*Sponge measured tall vases and glasses, adhered double-sided tape to each glass, then covered the glass with colored tissue paper. They cut colored card stock and adhered it to the glass with double-sided tape, then put a lit candle inside the glass. The result is an easy, breezy homemade lantern.

If you live in an area with many mosquitoes, and you use Citronella candles to keep them at bay, you can pretty up the container with card stock and tissue paper, and no one will be the wiser. Your decorating possibilities are endless!

For the perfect outdoor dining experience, with or without paper table lanterns, check out Heather's post on how to make a condiment caddy that will keep all your dining needs in one place.