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Christmas Table Settings – DIY Lantern Centerpiece

Build a lantern centerpiece for a beautiful Christmas table setting.

Christmas Table Setting Ideas - DIY Lantern Centerpiece

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This week I joined in with a group of very talented bloggers to bring you some Christmas table setting ideas. I kept things pretty simple here and am happy to bring you plans for a lantern centerpiece!

 

Christmas Table Setting - DIY Lantern Centerpiece

 

If you missed it, last year I put together a vintage sled centerpiece. We have a smaller, square dining table this time around. So I downsized to the lantern for a beautiful, but compact, statement piece. If you have a longer table, you could try a couple few lanterns (maybe even different sizes) for a really beautiful candle display.

Enjoy the free plans!

And once you’ve finished your lantern, head over to check out all the other great Christmas table setting ideas below!

Tools & Supplies:

  • Wood Glue
  • Finish Nailer & Nails (or a hammer)
  • Stain
  • Candle
  • Christmas Sprays

Lumber Cuts:

  • 4  |   1″ x 1″ Square Dowel @ 10″ (columns)
  • 8  |   1″ x 1″ Square Dowel @ 4″ (rails)
  • 1  |   3/4″ Plywood @ 6″ x 6″ Square (base)
  • 4  |   3/4″ Dowels @ 1″ (feet)

 

I typically include a full lumber list on projects. However, this lantern is such a small amount of lumber and can be completed mostly with scrap wood. If necessary, adjust measurements to work with your scraps. For reference: I cut the 1″ x 1″ dowels and rails out of a 1″ thick board and the 6″ x 6″ base from a 1 x 12 scrap board. I had extra 3/4″ dowels, but you can purchase them at Walmart or any lumber/home improvement store.

 

Step 1.

Drill four 3/4″ holes for the dowel feet. I used a 3/4″ forstner bit and drilled 1/4″ deep.

 

Christmas Table Setting - DIY Lantern Centerpiece

 

Step 2.

Build two sides for the frame of the lantern. Attach the rails to the columns with wood glue and finish nails. I used 2″ finish nails.

 

Christmas Table Setting - DIY Lantern Centerpiece

 

Step 3.

Position the frames flush with the edge of the base and attach with wood glue and finish nails.

 

Christmas Table Setting - DIY Lantern Centerpiece

 

Step 4.

Complete the lantern by attaching the last bottom two rails with wood glue and finish nails, followed by the last top two rails.

 

Christmas Table Setting - DIY Lantern Centerpiece

 

Step 5.

Insert the dowel feet into place and attach with wood glue.

 

Christmas Table Setting - DIY Lantern Centerpiece

 

The dowels should be tight in the 3/4″ holes, so wood glue is plenty strong to hold them!

 

Christmas Table Setting - DIY Lantern Centerpiece

 

Sand and finish as desired! I stained the lantern with Varathane sun-bleached and sealed it with clear satin polycrylic spray.

Add a candle of your choice and a few Christmas sprays around the base aaannnd

 

 

Christmas Table Setting - DIY Lantern Centerpiece

 

Voila, you have yourself a beautiful centerpiece!

 

Christmas Table Setting - DIY Lantern Centerpiece

 

Please let me know if you have any questions and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

 

Don’t forget to check out the rest of these great ideas:

 

Monday: Cozy Traditional Home | Bitterroot DIY |

Tuesday: A Wonderful Thought | Frazzled Joy | Craftivity Designs | Life on the Bay Bush | A Purdy Little House | Intelligent Domestications

Thursday: North Country Nest | Polka Dot Poplars

 

 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

For more project ideas, you can find me on Pinterest. And to stay up to date with the latest shenanigans, follow me on Instagram.

 

 

Christmas Table Setting Ideas - DIY Lantern Centerpiece

Christmas Table Setting - DIY Lantern Centerpiece

Kelly

Tuesday 11th of December 2018

Such a beautiful centerpiece and a great tutorial! Thanks for joining in on this hop and have a Merry Christmas! Best, Kelly

Kimberly

Friday 7th of December 2018

Beautiful centerpiece! I will have to get the hubby on making a lantern like this for us. ;)

tylynn_sattler

Friday 7th of December 2018

Thank you so much! They're quick and fun to make :)

Shirley Wood

Tuesday 4th of December 2018

Your lantern is really pretty.

tylynn_sattler

Thursday 6th of December 2018

Thanks Shirley!

Amanda @ The Bay Bush

Tuesday 4th of December 2018

This is so pretty! I never would have guessed it was homemade from looking at it! Beautiful!

tylynn_sattler

Thursday 6th of December 2018

Thankyou!

Sue Purdy

Tuesday 4th of December 2018

What a great lantern. It's adorable. Thank you for sharing.

tylynn_sattler

Thursday 6th of December 2018

Thanks Sue!

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