October has arrived—and that means ghosts and goblins are on their way! While I’m not a fan of super spooky (I’m more of a Happy Halloween kind of girl), I do love decorating for the season. And one of my favorite decorations for over 20 years has been these darling ghost paper lanterns.
When I pulled out our Halloween bins this year, I noticed my original lanterns were a little worse for wear. They’re so simple in design, and I had an aha! moment: “I can totally remake these!” A bit of trial and error later, I had an even better version—easy to recreate, budget-friendly, and now I’m sharing them with you!
On the crafting scale, this one is exceptionally easy—my kind of project. 😊
As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases—at no extra cost to you.
Supplies You’ll Need:
- White Paper Bags – I used 6 lb. bags. Choose something heavy enough that it won’t tear easily.
- Pencil or pen – Pencil is easier to erase for a cleaner look.
- Scissors or Exacto knife – A knife gives cleaner lines, but scissors work fine too
- Ghost Template – Subscribe here to get your FREE downloadable copy!
- Cardboard or cutting board – Protect your surface when cutting
- Flameless Tea Lights – Safer than candles, especially if using indoors
Safety Tip: I used to anchor mine with sand and real votives, but after one caught fire (yikes!), I switched to battery-operated tea lights. Much safer!
How to Make Ghost Paper Lanterns
- Download the free ghost template (or draw your own design!) Pro tip: Print on white cardstock for easier tracing.
- Cut out the ghost shape to create your reusable stencil.
- Trace the ghost onto your paper bag using a pencil.
- Cut out the design using scissors or an Exacto knife.
- Open the bag and erase any visible pencil lines if needed.
- Place a flameless tea light inside the bag and enjoy the glow!
Where to Use Them
It’s truly that easy! I line our walkway with these glowing ghosts every Halloween, and they always get compliments. You could also:
- Display them in your windows or on your mantle
- Use them as centerpieces for a party
Tip: You’ll want to shorten the lanterns—this keeps them low enough so guests can easily see and chat across the table.
- Add names and use them as place cards for Halloween dinner
While I kept all my lanterns the same, you can easily change up the faces for variety. Think spooky, silly, or even surprised ghosts—the options are endless!
Final Thoughts
These ghost paper lanterns are such a FUN, festive, and easy way to light up your Halloween decor. Whether you’re hosting trick-or-treaters or just want to add a little charm to your home, this DIY is sure to impress without stressing you out.
Want the FREE ghost template? Subscribe right here and I’ll send it straight to your inbox!
If you make your own lanterns, I’d love to see them! Tag me on Instagram or leave a comment below with your creations. And don’t forget to share this post with a friend who loves a good (non-spooky) Halloween craft!
Want more hauntingly fun ideas?
Ready for more Halloween magic? Fly on over to this witchy-fun tablescape tutorial—it’s a frightfully fabulous way to dress up your dining table! See it HERE!
Love easy entertaining, seasonal inspiration, and charming gift guides? Subscribe to Fun with Funsize below and never miss a chance to celebrate the little things in a big way—no tricks, just treats!
Let’s keep the spooky (and sparkly!) FUN going:
👉 Follow me on Pinterest and Instagram @funwithfun_size for behind-the-scenes peeks, festive finds, and all the party magic you can handle.
Didn’t see your confirmation email? Be sure to check your spam or promotions folder—just in case it got ghosted. 👻 If you run into any issues or just want to say hi, feel free to reach out anytime: shelley@funwithfunsize.com
Love it! So simple and fun. One more thing I’ll be doing. Thankis Shelley!
Love easy AND budget-friendly projects. Have FUN! 🙂