If you are in the process of planning the decorations for an upcoming party or event, an increasingly popular choice these days is to use Moroccan lanterns. Using these unique pieces of art turns an ordinary space into an exotic location, complete with candles and colorful centerpieces. You have the choice of placing a Moroccan candle lantern in the center of each table or hanging them throughout the room. If you are having your party outside, you can hang them from trees, lamps, or any other location you want to add a bit of style and color to the outdoor area. Here is what you need to know in order to use the party lanterns the right way to ensure success.
The Best Way to Use a Moroccan Lantern for a Party
When considering Moroccan lanterns for events, many people get scared off because they are designed to work with candles. While it is true that candles are more suited for intimate home use than events, there is a quick and easy solution to get around the candle problem. You really don’t want to use candles at parties and other events for a number of reasons. First, there is the fire hazard issue, and many locations won’t even allow you to use candles. It just isn’t safe to have candles around, especially if there is going to be alcohol served. The solution? Fake Candles.
Instead of using real candles that you have to light yourself and keep lit in windy locations, get yourself some Battery Powered Candles. These are magnificent inventions, and work perfectly in Moroccan candle lanterns. They only cost a buck or so a piece, and fit perfectly into any Moroccan lantern that you can buy. The candles are the same size as the little tea candles, and have a battery that you can change after it runs out, and they usually last about 50 hours on each battery. You can get a set of replacement batteries as well for just a few bucks. The reality is that using these Moroccan lanterns with battery powered candles turns out cheaper usually than using real candles, and saves a ton of time. Some people try and search for an electric Moroccan lantern, but it is way, way easier to just use these fake candles than to mess with wiring and electricity issues.
For outdoor events, this is really a no-brainer since it is really a nightmare trying to keep a bunch of candles lit outdoors! The best thing about using a battery powered Moroccan lantern is that nobody will ever know that it isn’t a real candle. The battery powered candles are designed to flicker like a real flame, and since they are enclosed in colorful stained glass lanterns, the only way to find out is to pick up the Moroccan party lantern and open the door. This method will also work if you want a Moroccan style star lantern instead of the normal hanging variety. They also have a door to allow you to put a candle or battery powered candle in.
If you have taken a look around the internet, you have probably noticed that pretty much all of the Moroccan lanterns for sale are not electric. They all say that they are used with those little tea or votive candles only. One of the biggest problems with candles is that they are always blowing out. People like to put these Moroccan lanterns outside, and inevitably the wind is going to blow the candle out, or the wax will melt and the light will go off. Most people don’t have time to tend to a candle all the time, especially when they have lots of these lanterns around, so I am going to show you a few things that you can do if you don’t want to bother with candles anymore.
The Easiest Way to Turn Your Lantern into an Electric Moroccan Lantern
While you might be thinking that you are going to need to study up on electric wiring, get all the tools together and what not, the easiest way to do it is actually amazingly simple. The answer lies in a little gem of a product that you most likely won’t find at a store near you, but can easily be had for $5 on the internet. All you need is this Battery Powered Candle Imitator. That’s right, these little battery powered lights are designed to look like real tea candles, which are exactly the type that fit perfectly into a Moroccan lantern. You can also use them inside a Moroccan style star lantern, which is made to use a candle as well. For just $6.59, you can get A Set of 12 of These Battery Powered Tea Candles and instantly make your Moroccan lantern electric. Each one comes with its own battery that lasts around 50 hours. If you only have one Moroccan lantern, then you can change the battery powered candles when the battery runs out, and 12 of them should last you quite a while.
If you are using Moroccan Table Lanterns for a party or wedding, it is a good idea to get some of these battery candles to use instead of the real thing. They are much safer, and won’t set the table-cloth on fire if someone clumsily knocks it over.
The Harder Way to Make a Moroccan Lantern Electric
If you don’t want to go the easy route and just use the battery powered candles instead of real ones, here is what you need to do in order to turn your Moroccan candle lantern into an electric one. First of all, it should be noted that most of the Moroccan lanterns for sale are pretty cheaply made, so you want to make sure you have a decent quality one that will hold up. Secondly, you should know at least a minimum amount about electrical wiring, since messing around with electricity can be very dangerous. If you don’t have any idea, either get a professional to do it or ask a friend or relative who does know how to help you.
It is actually pretty easy to wire a Moroccan lantern. Most of the hanging Moroccan lanterns that you can buy have a small hole at the top of them, directly under the hook. While this hole isn’t large enough to pass a light fixture through, you can snake the wires through it pretty easily. If your lanterns don’t have any holes, you can drill one in the top using an electric drill and a metal bit.
The next thing you are going to need to do is head over to your nearest hardware store and go to the electrical section. You should see some small light fixture sockets there, bulbs that fit into them, and wires to connect them. Ask a sales representative to help you get everything you need to complete your project. Once you have all of the items, it is just a matter of feeding the incoming electrical wire into the lantern and connecting it to the socket with the bulb. Make sure the bulb hangs down and the wires will not come into contact with the hot light bulb.
Finally, you are going to need to find a place to plug your lantern in. Depending on where you plan to hang it, this might be easy or hard. The easiest thing to do is to hang it within easy reach to an electrical outlet. Otherwise, you will need to run another line out to power the lantern.
Are you looking for something extraordinary and exotic to add to the “WOW” factor in your home? Once in a while, you come across a simple item that can do a whole lot for your home ambiance, and a Moroccan style star lantern is certainly one of those things. When you turn the lights off and light a candle in one of these star lanterns, the room suddenly comes alive with glowing colors. There are a few different Moroccan lantern styles to choose from, so lets take a look at the choices and prices of these little gems.
Types of Moroccan Star Lanterns
The first type is usually around 7 inches across and comes with its own iron stand to hang from. These little star Moroccan lanterns are great for bringing life to ordinarily dull locations like bookcases, windowsills, or tables. They are designed to hold a little tea candle, which fits in through a little door on one side. Many people like the ones with their own stand because they can easily move them around without needing to find a place to hang them. Bring one into the bathroom and enjoy a taste of Morocco while you soak in the tub.
The next type is usually a bit bigger – around 12 inches across, with lots of stained glass panels. This type is just a bigger version of the Moroccan star lantern mentioned above, but the difference is that it doesn’t come with a stand. That shouldn’t be much of a problem though, since you can simply hang it from a nail on the wall or above the window. Some people hang these from their porch awnings as well or from trees in their yard. Since there are no electrical parts, rain isn’t much of a problem other than the fact that it might put out your Moroccan candle lantern!
The third type are the Moroccan Star of David Lanterns. These come with a metal stand, just like the other ones, but the difference is that they are not as fat, and are shaped like the star of David instead of having many points like the others. It basically comes down to a matter of preference as to which kind you like.
Moroccan Style Star Lantern Prices
Prices of these star lanterns average between $15 and $25 for all types, so you can just take a good look around the internet and see which kind you like. My favorite place to find them is Here on Amazon.com, since they offer every type from different sellers all in one place. Keep in mind that for $15, you are not going to get a lantern that is hand crafted in Morocco. If you want that, you will probably have to pay much more. The cheaper ones do look very good though, and are a bargain at those prices.
There is no questioning the fact that Moroccan style candle lanterns are beautiful. While they used to be (and still are in some places) made by highly trained artisans using the best materials possible, most of the Moroccan lanterns that you see today are in fact made in factories in Asia. This means a couple of things to the consumer: First, that you don’t have to pay exorbitant prices for a lantern that is made by one of the few people who make them in Morocco the traditional way, and second, that most anybody can afford to buy one or more of them to decorate their homes or party. A very popular thing these days is for people to put one of these Moroccan candle lanterns in the center of each table for a wedding or other event, since they add a lot of ambiance. Since everyone knows that budgets for these events can quickly spiral out of control, here are some of the best looking Moroccan candle lanterns that you can get for less than $10 each.
If you just want the basic style lantern, your best choice is probably one of these classic stained glass Moroccan lanterns that have a flat bottom and a ring at the top for hanging. The flat base allows it to sit on the table, but you always have the option of hanging it from something if you want to as well. Take your pick from red, yellow, blue, or green colors. These lanterns are about 10 inches high and 4 inches around, so they will easily sit on the table without taking too much space. They are all made by the same company, but for some reason the prices range a bit, from just over $3 to $8, depending on the color. See them all here.
If you don’t want something with all the bright colors, the best choice is This White Moroccan Scrollwork Lantern. Instead of the usual glass windows, it has metal scrollwork on it, made into a snowflake patterns that make the candle light inside look wonderful. These lanterns look pretty classy, yet only cost about $8, which makes them very affordable. The base has 4 feet so you can either set it down on a table or other surface, or hang it from the hook on the top.
Want something that has more of a rustic, old-fashioned look without the colors or white paint? This Moroccan Temple Tower Hanging Lantern costs just $5, and has intracately designed metal scrollwork as well. What’s nice about this lantern is that it keeps its iron metal look, which gives it a nice and authentic touch. At this price, you can afford to buy a Moroccan lantern for every table, or a bunch of them to brighten up your porch or garden.
Moroccan Lanterns are one of those things that can really add some charm and uniqueness to your home. Some people hang them outside to light up the night with a colorful glow. Others have them indoors and use them for decoration. They are also very popular with special events, such as weddings. It is not uncommon for weddings to either have a Moroccan lantern on every table or have them hanging around the room or garden to add to the mood. If you are looking for that extra special touch for your home or event, here are the types of lanterns that are available, and how much they cost.
Moroccan Candle Lanterns
Since these lanterns were designed in a time long before modern electricity even existed, Moroccan lanterns are made to hold candles. In most cases, this is still true today. Many of the lanterns for sale are designed to be used with small candles in them, although some of them can be used with electric string lights. In most cases, the cheaper ones will not come with wires and are meant to be used with candles. It is entirely possible however, to install your own small electric lights and wire them yourself. If you have a place that you want to put a Moroccan candle lantern that is already wired for electricity, it is only a matter of getting a simpe light fixture and running the wire through the base and attaching it where the candle is meant to go.
Types of Moroccan Lanterns
The majority of the lamps you see will be the hanging Moroccan lantern style. This is by far the most common variety, and they look great hanging from almost any place you can think of. Common locations that people put them are: hanging from lampposts, outside entryways to homes or other buildings, hanging from trees in gardens, on a post at the end of the driveway, on the wall in various places in the home, and many other locations. You can pretty much put them anywhere you want, and they will probably look good.
While most of these lanterns are meant to hang, many of them are designed so that they can also be placed on a table. In most cases, a Moroccan tabletop lantern has a flat bottom, but also has a hook at the top so you have the option of hanging it as well. The ones that can’t sit on the table have a pointed bottom. This type can only be hung.
While the design of these lanterns are pretty similar, it is the colors that set them apart from each other. Stained glass makes these lanterns glow blue, yellow, purple, orange, red, or green. You can also find ones that have lots of different colors on the same lantern.
The Moroccan Style Star Lantern
An entirely different type of Moroccan lamp is the star lantern. These are colorful, stained glass hanging pieces of artwork that can either hang from their own stand or from any other place you choose. Like the other type of lantern, the vast majority of these are designed to be used with small candles, and have a little door that opens to allow access to the candle. Moroccan star lanterns are great for setting the mood around the house in the evening.
and instantly make your Moroccan lantern electric. Each one comes with its own battery that lasts around 50 hours. If you only have one Moroccan lantern, then you can change the battery powered candles when the battery runs out, and 12 of them should last you quite a while.
. Instead of the usual glass windows, it has metal scrollwork on it, made into a snowflake patterns that make the candle light inside look wonderful. These lanterns look pretty classy, yet only cost about $8, which makes them very affordable. The base has 4 feet so you can either set it down on a table or other surface, or hang it from the hook on the top.
costs just $5, and has intracately designed metal scrollwork as well. What’s nice about this lantern is that it keeps its iron metal look, which gives it a nice and authentic touch. At this price, you can afford to buy a