Luminous winter lanterns, spotted on Willowday, are easy, inexpensive to make, and yet manage to create an almost magical effect at night. Our favorite kind of DIY project:
Fill balloons with water, partially freeze, then peel off the latex. For materials, see below; for step-by-step instructions, see Willowday.
Above: Fill a 12-inch balloon with water, blow in a puff of air and tie a knot. A bag of 10 Pearlized 12 Inch Latex Balloons Winter White is $2.23 from Amazon.
Freeze the balloon for about 12 hours and then check on the progress—you want it frozen enough to form a ball but with some slush still in the middle of the balloon. Before it freezes solid, peel off the balloon, drain the water, and add a candle. For more tips on the technique, see Willowday.
Above: Set a votive candle inside the ice ball. A Votive Candle With Holder is $3 from So Many Beautiful Things.
Above: For more outdoor lights, see "5 Quick Fixes: Outdoor Lanterns."