Constraints on UUFCC Imagine & Dream Lanterns

Lanterns brought to the Imagine & Dream Lantern Garden event must be inexpensive, safe and nontoxic, as should the techniques and materials used to make them.  Some ordinary tools and materials can be dangerous if used unsafely, so please be thoughtful about material and tool selection, tool use and supervision of children.

I&D lanterns need to be lightweight so that they can hang from lightweight wires and/or be attached to lightweight poles.  Luminary bags will sit on the ground and need to be weighted, but small sandbag weights will be provided at the event. 

No candles or flames will be permitted at the event.  Some battery operated LED lights to light your lantern will be available at the lantern event if participants need one. 

In keeping with ‘Unitarian Universalist Principle 7. Caring for the Earth,’ We especially encourage use of inexpensive and waste household materials as long as they are safe and nontoxic.  Besides limiting both the environmental impact of the event and the cost barrier to family participation, material re-use is very feasible and presents a positive creative challenge to the lantern makers.

SPECIFIC RULES TO FOLLOW:

• Only small battery operated lights - NO FLAMES - NO TOXIC BATTERIES - NO HEAVY BATTERIES

• Only short and thin metal wire with ends bent over (20 gauge is OK)- NO HEAVY WIRE

• NO GLASS PANES OR SHARP GLASS (recycled intact glass jars are okay, but plastic containers are preferred )

• NO SHARP EDGES such as thick metal with sharp edges (e.g., NO cut soda or soup cans; kitchen foil is OK)

• NO EXPOSED SHARP POINTS (even in the permitted plastic, wood or thin wire)