Light up your life, and yard, with Reclectic Lanterns

While Christmas lights in August can add a certain je ne sais quois to a backyard gathering, they might also subtly say: "I never got around to taking these down in January." Instead, bring some intention -- and recycled style -- to a summer-evening fete with Design Ideas' Reclectic Lanterns.

The metal-and-glass fixtures, available at Camelion Design in Ballard, are the bright, gazebo-shaped reincarnations of misprinted aluminum sheets. Design Ideas gets the seconds from a factory that prints aluminum for everything from Thai soda cans to American aerosols. The resulting riot of prints makes for outdoor candle holders with international flair and myriad decorating possibilities: Hang them from trees or patio roofs, cluster them on tables or scatter them on surfaces throughout the yard to spread the glow around.

Camelion carries the lanterns in small (8 inches high, $26) and large (about 13 inches high, $56) -- but not in the medium size shown in the photo above. Each one has a seat for a tea light or votive and a latched glass door for easy candle access.

With the lanterns flickering over a swank summer dinner spread, your yard will be free of the ghosts of Christmas past.