When you are thinking about designing your lanterns, right at the beginning of the process, you should think about how you are going to display it. If you are going to hang it, the main consideration is whether it is lit with a candle or other heat-producing item. If so, you must consider safety.
Make sure you have a lot of space between the open flame and anything that might catch fire - ragged edges of paper, cord or string, tree branches and leaves, grass and bushes, clothing, costumes and banners.
There are long metal supports made for hanging baskets of flowers that would work nicely for semi-permanent displays, or occasional use as lantern hangers if you like using them for plants most of the time. Look for those at Home Depot or your local garden centre.
If the light source doen't produce heat, you have more leeway.