Customer Reviews

Room Lanterns

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This "book" consists of a short strand of what are essentially mini clear Christmas lights and paper light covers. There are several sets of "lanterns" to choose from in the book; they are made of heavy weight paper that you punch out and fold to make the lantern. They are smaller and a little less colorful than what they look on the book cover. There are ten light bulbs; each lantern pattern has enough lanterns of that type to make the entire strand all the same. But you could also mix them up. If you buy this book I would recommend buying additional light sets as you can continue to make many more lanterns with the materials that come with the book. You can order from Klutz but if you can, just buy a short string of regular clear Christmas lights. Or even a longer string of lights; then you can go all the way around a kid's room.

One gripe; the length of cord between the plug and first bulb is short. My daughter wanted to string the lantern set over her bed. But this required me to buy an extension cord to go from the nearest outlet to where we wanted the lights to start. I also wish the light strand had some sort of on/off switch so my daughter could switch the strand off without unplugging them (like you do Christmas lights).

These lanterns are not only fun for younger girls but make fantastic teen or dorm room decorations. I first received this product as a gift and the only drawback I found was that the string of lights that Klutz includes is not very long, and you will usually lose sight of one or two lights in order to plug the whole string in. I later decided that I wanted to decorate a longer string of lights, as opposed to the ten-bulb string included in the kit. Each book contains seven designs but only enough rings and snaps (which fasten the paper shapes onto the bulbs) to make one design at a time. However, if you order more snaps and rings from klutz (around $10), you can suddenly make all 70 lanterns, as opposed to only 10. On a 100-light string, you will have more than enough length to reach an outlet and still enjoy the cute sophistication these lanterns provide. Much classier (and more fun!) than a naked string of Christmas lights.

UPDATE 1/30/2011

Having heard that many Christmas-style string lights contain lead, and finding a hazardous materials warning in the accompanying book, we tested these lights and THEY TESTED POSITIVE FOR LEAD. Since this is a product for children, I've dropped my rating from 5 stars to 1 (and e-mailed the company). If you'd like to test them you can use a product like Lead Check Swabs which Consumer Reports found to be reliable when used as directed (see product reviews for hints).

ORIGINAL REVIEW: I bought these lights for my son's room, and I made the "luminaria" design: it is really charming and artistic. The string is 5-6 feet of decorative lights and some extra cord at either end. My son is 4 and we put the lights up at Christmas time, with no problems with the lights being too girlish. I will say that a boy old enough to assemble these himself would likely be put off by the several girly options and the girl-oriented text, and might find even the luminaria, star, and pinwheel options (the three least "feminine" patterns) too "pretty". So if you are buying for a boy, use the Search Inside feature to scan the table of contents and get a feel for the different designs. You might want to present him, as I did, with the fait accompli.

I do wish there were a way to switch them off and on without plugging/unplugging, and if you feel the same you may want to purchase an outlet switch to go with this. I'm buying a second set for my son, so we have enough to run all around a picture in his room, and another for my thirty-something, artsy sister.

This looks like a quality product that would get a lot of use. Just a warning tho - it is geared toward girls. I ordered it for my son who is big into different kinds of lighting right now, but I can't give him this with the little heart and flower designs. He would roll his eyes at me! So I guess I'll save it until my daughter is older. Can't they make one for boys?

The book came in flawless condition and shipped lightning fast! Great transaction! Would do business with again!