southern fried gal

Greet friends in style and get more bang for your buck when you change out the Willow House Drake Lantern (40959) seasonally and display on an entry table or in the powder room!

Here are some ideas for January through May…

For some reason I use berries in January. I think it is a nice transition from Christmas to winter. This year I layered a ring of berries and greenery inside the lantern. I replaced the glass insert with our Drake Firefly Lantern (41208).

From here I shopped the house to find ways to transition the lantern each month. You may not have all this on hand but hopefully this inspires you to take what you have on hand!

If you have been around my blog long enough you will recognize this trick. I wrapped the glass insert with scrapbook paper that has swirly heart cutouts using double-side tape. Then I placed a candle inside and filled the inside bottom of the lantern with red hots.

Last year I bought some shamrock gel clings at Dollar Tree. They are the perfect accent for the glass cylinder with a candle inside. I also think it would be cute to put gold coins around the bottom of the lantern but I didn’t have any of those on hand.

For April I skipped the glass cylinder all together and layered faux fern and a sweet flowered vine in the bottom of the lantern. Next I tucked a birds nest with two little eggs inside. I think this is my favorite look. Very me!

For May, I was inspired by all the wedding showers that will be upon us before we know it! I had previously made the lavender ball for my grandmother’s 80th birthday celebration. I grabbed that and a bit of springy greenery to layer in the bottom. A tapered candle and voila! I think this one would be best with fresh flowers and my plan is to revisit this idea in spring with real flowers. PLUS it would be less flammable!

What other ideas do you have for this versatile product?

~Southern Fried Gal

p.s. You can find these lanterns and more in my Willow House Online Store! PLUS February 2011 is DOUBLE HOSTESS dollars month! It’s a great time to host a home, catalog, or online party and earn twice the FREE product! If you already have a consultant, contact her today to book your party. Don’t have a consultant? I would love to serve you. Let’s Connect!