I love a fall porch project that looks boutique-cute but still comes together with a dollar store haul and one evening at the kitchen counter. This autumn lantern cluster uses glass candle jars and faux pumpkin figurines to make a simple two-piece porch display that feels cozy, polished, and very doable, even if your week is packed. The basic idea is to dress up plain glass jars with little pumpkins, then style them as a matching cluster for a front step, small porch table, or entry bench.
If you like seasonal decorating but do not want to store giant bins of supplies, this is the kind of project I keep coming back to. It is beginner-friendly, inexpensive, and easy to customize with your favorite fall colors. I especially like projects like this because I can prep everything after dinner while listening to a podcast, and by the next morning the porch already feels more inviting.
Materials
2 clear glass candle jars, 6 to 8 inches tall, cleaned and labels removed
Instructions
1. Wash and dry the glass candle jars, then remove any sticker residue so the glue will hold well. Wipe the outside with rubbing alcohol if the jars feel dusty or oily.
2. Arrange the faux pumpkin figurines around each jar before gluing to decide on placement. I like two pumpkins per jar, spaced slightly off-center so the lanterns look casual instead of perfectly matched.
3. Apply a generous bead of hot glue to the back of one pumpkin and press it onto the lower half of the first glass jar for 20 to 30 seconds. Repeat with the second pumpkin on the opposite side or slightly angled around the jar.
4. Glue two pumpkins onto the second jar, keeping the placement similar but not identical to the first. Let both jars sit for several minutes so the glue fully sets before you add anything else.
5. Cut the faux leaf garland into two pieces, one about 24 inches long and the other about 18 inches long. Wrap one piece around the neck of each jar to check fullness before securing it.
6. Hot glue the end of each leaf garland piece near the rim, then wrap it once around the jar neck and overlap the ends. Add a dot of glue where needed so the leaves sit forward and frame the pumpkins nicely.
7. Tie a 3-foot piece of jute twine around the neck of the taller-looking jar and a second 3-foot piece around the other jar. Make a simple bow or knot, then trim the ends so they hang neatly.
8. Place one battery-operated LED tealight or votive inside each jar. If you want a fuller look, tuck a small loose leaf clipping from the garland near the rim, keeping it away from the light source.
9. Style the two finished lanterns together as a cluster on the front porch, with one slightly in front of the other for depth. Turn on the lights at dusk so the glass glows and the pumpkins stay the star of the display.
Variations & Tips
Color mix: Use pumpkins in two shades, like orange and cream, if you want the pair to feel a little more collected and less matchy-matchy.
Porch safety: I recommend battery-operated candles only, especially if these will sit near dry leaves, a doormat, or wood siding.
Better glue hold: If your faux pumpkins have a slick finish, lightly rough up the back with sandpaper before gluing so they grip the glass better.
Make it taller: Set the jars on small wooden risers, upside-down planters, or a crate if your porch needs more height without adding a third lantern.
Weather tip: If your porch gets wind or rain, bring the lanterns in during bad weather or add a small line of clear outdoor adhesive in addition to hot glue for a sturdier hold.
Easy storage: Wrap each lantern in a dish towel and store them upright in a small bin so the pumpkins do not get knocked loose between seasons.