I believe that anytime between Samhain and Imbolc is a good time to make homemade lanterns to decorate the house, garden, or ritual site.
There are many different ways of making lanterns, from wire, to jars and using tissue paper, or papier mache using balloons. Here are some images that might inspire you…
Tissue paper glued on jars with flickering battery operated lights inside
Glow sticks inside balloons
tissue paper lanterns with gluey string wrapped round a balloon first
Galloway & Friends 