Clever Ways to Use a Bargain Lantern

You recall the recent post I did about the fun finds at Home Depot? If not, you really need to (click here). Keep reading to see the new bargain lantern I found and all the clever ways to use it.

After my last Home Depot post, my friend, Anne went to our local Home Depot (on Cave Creek Road) and sent me a picture of the seasonal section with all the lanterns. Unlike the Showlow, AZ store, their inventory was abundant.

I went the next day and searched the store for lanterns, asked 2 employees and no one knew what I was talking about. The Home Depot in Showlow, Arizona has their seasonal aisle right when you walk in, yet at this store, I literally searched 15 minutes for it.

Finally, behind one of those enormous moving ladders and a bunch of boxes, I found the seasonal section. Lucky me, it was so obscured that no one else saw it, so I scored yet another batch of my 22″ lanterns from Hampton Bay. According to the Home Depot website, these are out of stock, but apparently some of the stores still have inventory.

But lo and behold, look what else I found!! These Hampton Bay 10″ Metal and Glass Lanterns. The online price is $19.98 (yesterday the price was $24.98 online), but in-store the price is $9.90 each! I imagine this is on seasonal clearance too. Click here to see the online link.

Quickly, I grabbed the last 4 of them because I am thinking of all the ways I can use this lantern.

Different Ways to Use this Lantern

Naturally, this makes a plain, good old lantern. I like the glass hurricane feature which helps keep a candle lit outside in a breeze. You can also put a battery operated candle which compliments its fine lines and simplicity.

Hostess Gift

But think of it as a hostess gift. Tired of bringing a bottle of wine to someone’s house? How fun would it be to bring this, filled with flowers?

I never want to give a hostess gift that someone doesn’t want or can’t use. And I never re-gift something that I wouldn’t enjoy. Typically I will bring something perishable~~a food item, wine, flowers, a candle. What I love about this Hampton Bay lantern, is that not only can it act like a vase, but it can be used later as an indoor or outdoor lantern.

We currently have an abundance of eggs as our younger chickens are finally laying. Instead of typical egg carton, here is a fun idea (and bring the empty egg carton along too), as fresh eggs are always welcomed.

Or inserting a candle and then filling it with someone’s favorite candy? Or bath salts? Or tea bags? The ideas are endless.

Seasonal ideas

If you love these lanterns too much to give them away as gifts, imagine the numerous ways to decorate them for each season.

Adding some sand and seashells makes an easy summer themed lantern.

Simple cut branches or greenery makes for a fresh centerpiece.

For the autumn, fill the glass with acorns, pinecones, leaves, candy corn or fall flowers.

I haven’t pulled out any of the fall items and this isn’t my best work, but you get the drift.

For Christmas/winter, fill the lantern with ornaments, snow, crystals, greens, cranberries and the list goes on and on.

I believe these lanterns are so versatile that you can use them indoor, outdoor, year round, as gifts and only for $9.90 each. It is so exciting to me to find a great bargain!

Thinking about the holidays is tough when it’s still so hot out, but this purchase is one of the many ways I am filling up my gift closet.

Happy Wednesday ~ I am spending this morning trying to clean up the down feathers in our family room. Cooper has a bit of anxiety when we are out of town, and he acted out by tearing up the sofa cushion. It looks a bit like snow in here. It’s always something, right?

And lastly, thank you SO much for your supportive and wonderful comments yesterday. I cannot tell you how much your grace puts air under my wings. You are the BEST!

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