6. Hanging Jar Lanterns on Shepherd’s Hooks
This idea takes the mason jar concept and elevates it literally. Hanging lanterns at varying heights along your pathway create a sense of depth and movement that’s really hard to achieve with ground-level lights. It also keeps curious pets and lawnmowers from knocking them over.
Materials: Mason jars or small glass jars, solar lid lights or LED fairy lights, shepherd’s hooks, wire or metal jar handles, decorative ribbon or twine.
How to make them: Attach a handle to each jar if it doesn’t already have one. You can buy wire jar handles at most craft stores, or create your own from floral wire. Drop in a strand of battery-operated fairy lights or attach a solar lid. Hang each jar at a different height from the shepherd’s hooks. Stagger the heights and the spacing for a more organic look.
Time: 1 to 2 hours
Difficulty: Beginner
Customization: Add a drop or two of essential oil to a cotton ball tucked inside the jar. Lavender and citronella are both lovely for outdoor settings.
For larger gardens, place the hooks every 8 to 10 feet along the path and hang two or three jars at different heights on each one. It creates this lovely constellation effect as you walk through.