Where I can buy round paper lanterns that can be lit by a candle or tealight? Electrical cords are ugly...?
Answers:
does your town have an asian section, like Chinatown in San Francisco? That would be a place to start. Ikea had something like that last time I was there (last summer). A lot of stores like Target might carry lanterns with their summer outdoor stuff.
Other answers:
you can't buy paper lanterns that uses flame, it'll burn. This store has battery lanterns.
you can't buy paper lanterns that uses flame, it'll burn. This store has battery lanterns.
yeah, ikea had them. pottery barn and restoration hardware had them in the past, too. you might want to reconsider lighting them electrically. if you string them intermittently with lots of white Christmas-type lights or globe lights, it looks really nice. creates a great atmosphere. and it's safer. and you only need one cord which you can put out a window or door if you do not have an outdoor outlet. we did that for a party. it looked awesome-very professional.