This takes a lot more time and effort but I do think it is worth it as it is nicer and looks a lot more impressive…
…than the ones in this earlier post.
I saw it in the newspapers a long time ago, back in the 90’s, and I made quite a few then, following the steps and instructions given. However, it required a lot of ang pao packets so I had to go round the banks to ask for as many as I could lay my hands on.
If one were to follow the original faithfully, one would need 36 ang pao packets to make one lantern but I have modified it a bit and for each, I would only need 24…so if you were to make two lanterns, you would have saved enough to make a third one.
If the paper used for the ang pao packets is not hard enough, you may need to cut cards to place inside each of them…
…so that your lantern would be able to stand upright and not go all limp and look quite awful as a result of that.
In the original, you will have to make triangles, 12 horizontal and 12 vertical and you glue them all together to make the hexagon for the top and a taller, narrower one for the bottom before putting the two parts together.
Instead of that, I stapled two packets together to make the figure 7, the top for the side and the “leg” for the rib in the lantern…
Keep doing it…
…till you have six sides and six ribs. Use sellotape to join the ribs together in the middle before you seal off the last side in the hexagon…
Put that aside and proceed to make the bottom part of the lantern. Stick two ang pao packets together like this…
– the one with the flap open is for the rib and the other one is for the side. Again, you will need six sides and six ribs…
…and join them altogether like this…
This will be the hexagon for the bottom part of the lantern.
In the original, one was told to apply glue to the flaps to stick the bottom hexagon to the ribs in the top part and I guess that can be done here as well but I do think it would be good to reinforce that with sellotape and/or staples.
Attach the string to hang it up with and the tail…and there you have it…
…a lantern for your Chinese New Year decoration.
Don’t you think this one is nice?
...STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! 
i like it a lot – it looks quite professionally and carefully crafted! i don’t have any chinese new year decorations at home, but if i did, i’d like to have your work hanging from my ceilings π
You are not celebrating at your KL place? Going home to Malacca for the family reunion as always, I guess.
I echo, and agree with, Sean’s comment. π
I did it once a long time ago and that was it. Now that I have retired, a lot of time on my hands, I am quite free to make a few and hang in the house. Saves on the decor – those lanterns at the shops don’t come cheap, even here.
You are talented. Yes, this one looks more impressive than the earlier ones. I don’t think I have the patience to do it. These days, very hard to get angpao packets from bank. The most they can give is 2 packets for each person & worst some even didn’t have or reluctant to give.
Yes, they will tell you no more…can give one only…very few this year, have to give to other customers too…bla…bla…bla… π¦
You are so patient, STP. Kudos to you. But the lantern is indeed impressive.
Now very hard to get red packets from banks. Unless you are regular and know them so well they will give you a pack or two. Other places you need to purchase certain amount and get a pack.
For me I just take few packs from hubby since he can take certain numbers of packs to be distributed to clients etc.
Ya, lucky you. Bet you can have all you want…if you want. Hehehehe!!! Actually, they are not very expensive, these packets – can get for a little more than 10 sen each and they do have some very nice ones at the shops. I’ve made two of the lanterns, not sure yet where to hang them – maybe I would make a few more. Hehehehehe…so free! π
What a great way to use those packets!
Waste not, want not. Can save a bundle from buying those decorative lanterns too! π
Haven’t done anything like that for years… since primary school. Not my type of tea anyway, i shall focus on blogging only π
That takes a whole lot of time…if you have daily posts and reply to all comments like me. Fine for this old retiree, too much time on my hands and as they say, the idle mind is the devil’s workshop.
Now I know where Melissa’s creative side comes from! The lantern looks really nicely done. I like that in these days there are still people who keep to the spirit of festivities by decorating using their own creativities π
Sure makes it a lot more special than going out and buying from the shops, plus this is more unique, different from all the rest.
Wah … Didn’t know you love doing crafting and origami too!! So I supposed you are busy making all sorts of decorative items now with old angpau packets?
Just feel like making some this year for a change instead of taking out all the old decor that I have been using for years and years now…
Wow, the completed one looks like a lantern bought from a shop! Very professional. I thought the photo was taken in a Chinese restaurant.
It does look good, nicer than the ones I made a long time ago. I think it is because the packets are longer, not the usual length so the lantern is bigger and more impressive. It sure motivates me to make more now.
Wonder will you be making any other designs to decorate your house…
No, just a few of this, enough. Cannot overdo it. One year, I made so many to hang all over the house. Friends who came said my house looked like a temple. Duhhhh!!!!!
Very nice indeed! Your explanation and pictorials are very clear. I think I can do this!
Go ahead. This one is quite simple. If I can do it, anyone can. π
wow.. very neatly done! As for me, I really do not have the patience for origami or handicraft, most times I end up doing a mess out of it… But nice to see the festive atmosphere in the house, right? Nice!
Yes, otherwise if the house is bare, not even a bit of decor, no festive mood at all. Would feel just like any other day.
Clap clap clap!! Very creative!
Nice, eh? You can share this with your crafting group as well. π