Red Lantern - Red Lantern Blog

Memories of a Lifetime

2008-05-26 20:08:18 -0400

We recently heard about a really great idea and had to share it with you! We received a very special order from Angela, who told us that the Cottonwood Keepsake album she was purchasing would be a part of a thoughtful and truly meaningful gift she was preparing for her daughter, who would be celebrating her 21st birthday. Angela explained that she would be filling the album with photos and mementos of her daughter’s life up to that point. She would also leave some pages empty so that her daughter could fill them with her own memories in the years to come. We loved the fact that this gift was so much more than an item. It is a lifetime of wonderful moments and memories lovingly put together by a mother who cherishes her daughter. That is the kind of giving we love to be a part of!

Like-Minded Lorla's

2008-03-31 17:15:21 -0400

Not only does Lorla’s in Northville, Michigan, carry a great selection of unique shoes and purses, but they now also feature our Red Lantern purses and handbags. Lauren Beras, owner of the boutique, aims to meet the needs and tastes of a wide range of women. We knew we liked her a lot when we found out she also has a passion for giving back to meet needs around the world, and were therefore glad to join her in this like-minded goal. So if you are in the Northville area, stop by and visit her store at 142 North Center Street. Or check her out online at www.lorlas.com. You never know where you will find us!

It's In The Bag

2008-03-12 15:14:10 -0400

If you are shopping in downtown Ada, Michigan, you will now be able to find a more complete line of Red Lantern products at The Paper Bag and Incredible Basket. Boutique owner Frank Swanson has expanded his selection of our products to include several albums, purses, table runners, journals, and travel sets. He has already seen interest in these items, and says the customers will benefit from being able to see and touch the fabrics. The products complement his tasteful and carefully selected gift and stationary items. Frank also tells his customers about Red Lantern’s giving back.

Red Lantern's Roots in Chinese New Year Celebrations

2008-02-06 17:18:07 -0500

The people of many Asian countries around the world are in the midst of celebrating their most important holiday of the year. Chinese New Year, Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year as it is sometimes called falls this year on February 7, although it is celebrated over the course of 15 days. It is a time when families get together, often traveling great distances to their homes. It is a time of reunion, thanksgiving, special foods and traditions deeply rooted in this ancient culture. The festivities culminate on the 15th day of the First Moon with the Lantern Festival where families carry red lanterns in the streets and light candles as part of a great parade. Young men perform the dragon dance, bobbing and weaving in their brightly colored dragon costume. The sight is joyful and left a lasting impression on us when we lived in China and traveled to other Asian countries during this time of year. The bright and beautiful lanterns came to symbolize some of all we love about this rich culture. Happy Chinese New Year!

Ada Boutique Features Gift Boxes

2008-01-31 15:56:44 -0500

Red Lantern is now offered at The Paper Bag & Incredible Basket, a boutique in downtown Ada, Michigan. Located at 7199 Thornapple River Drive, this charming shop features unique gifts, gift baskets, and stationary products. Since they specialize in gift giving, and already carry Rothschild Farm Sauces, we feel this will be a great partnership and setting for our products. Frank Swanson, boutique owner and operator is featuring our Sauce and Bowl Gift Box Sets, making them available to his customers in time for Valentines day. Thank you, Frank, for this opportunity!

New: Our Shipping Goes Flat Rate

2008-01-29 12:36:13 -0500

We listened to all of your great feedback suggesting a low, flat rate cost for all standard shipping and went to work making that change. Now when you shop with us and choose standard 2-3 day ground shipping, you will only pay the low rate of $5.00 for all shipments to anywhere in the US, and $20.00 to anywhere in Canada. We are also pleased to offer international shipping to anyone who contacts us by email (cynthia[at]redlanternstyle.com) with their order. We are committed to continually improving the quality of our service and your input is essential to that. Email or phone us with your suggestions. What you think makes a difference!

A Cultural Experience

2008-01-17 11:42:30 -0500

Over the holidays, my family and I traveled to Mexico. While this is typically a great vacation spot for sun-starved, winter-weary Northerners, we decided we wanted to really see and experience the culture and life. This meant staying in out of the way places, eating in little restaurantes frequented by locals, and hanging out where we could watch and observe. It doesn’t take long before you begin to see life as it really is…the continual effort to carve out an existence. This was never more clearly illustrated than when we found ourselves looking into the pleading eyes of very young children sent out to sell small trinkets, gum, and souvenirs they carried on trays. They went from person to person, their faces falling when a sale was not made. I thought of most children their age in the US who go to school, run, play and live lives free of the cares these little ones carried like the small items on their trays. Our family’s hearts were moved and our eyes further opened in those days.

Making a Good Impression

2008-01-08 12:16:04 -0500

“I just wanted to write and let you know that I am so impressed with Red Lantern,” commented Bethany from Illinois after receiving her Red Lantern order. Being a part of your gift giving has been both rewarding and fun for us this past holiday season, and we have received some great comments and feedback. Bethany went on to say, “We ordered a notebook as a Christmas gift for my cousin and it arrived over the weekend…The business card with the personalized note and the red mesh bag were so neat! It was fun to open. You guys are doing a great job!” We just appreciate the opportunity and privilege of being invited along in your gift giving endeavors!

A Few of My Favorite Things...

2007-12-04 17:03:26 -0500

Hot chocolate by a warm fire…Christmas music by candlelight…gifts tied in gold ribbon..and friends and family gathered in my home, filling it with laughter and love. These are just a few of my favorite things. But nothing beats the feeling of joy that we get from giving, or the knowledge that perhaps we’ve made a difference in our world. If one child in Cambodia can know that Jesus came to earth, or one family in the Congo receive the hope that comes with a better future, then we have lived out what this Giving Season is all about.

News Worthy

2007-12-04 16:32:50 -0500

Red Lantern hit the newsstands in an article last week that featured our company and our purpose. Cadence Newspaper in Grand Rapids ran a feature story, written by reporter Erin Albanese, entitled, “Red Lantern Casts a Light on Global Problems.” The article highlighted not only our products but most importantly the projects we support in Cambodia, the Congo, and the fight against human trafficking. It came out in time for the holiday season and helped to make our surrounding community aware of what we are doing.

Spreading the News

2007-11-14 16:14:02 -0500

Giving is like turning on a light~~it spreads everywhere. And apparently it’s catching! Every item purchased this month so far has been a gift for someone special from someone who wants to let them know they are cared about. Carrie from Michigan sent us a note to tell us about her gifts, “The gifts I bought from Red Lantern are absolutely beautiful and wrapped so nicely as well. I can’t wait to give these stunning gifts to my special friends. Thanks for your help and hopefully the news about your fantastic company will continue to spread.” And the gift giving goes on!...

Cambodian Child Given Hope

2007-11-05 10:14:34 -0500

Ratha is a gentle boy who loves to do somersaults in the dirt outside his grandmother’s thatched hut. He seems happy showing off his acrobatic skills – but 12-year-old Ratha hides a deep sorrow. Both his mother and father died in traumatic circumstances. His father was an alcoholic and drove his mother to suicidal depression. One day, Ratha’s grandmother found her lying in a pool of blood. In despair, she had taken her own life. Sometimes, his grandmother confides, she finds Ratha sobbing by his bed.

“I sometimes dream about my mom,” Ratha says, scuffing the dirt with his feet.

The World Relief Hope program has brought help and meaning into Ratha’s life, providing care, mentoring, guidance, and hope for the future. You are a part of giving Ratha a brighter future when you make a purchase. Learn More >>

Improved Gift Packaging makes Great Gift Giving

2007-10-25 16:30:13 -0400

Remember those birthdays when the most exciting present was the one in the beautiful wrapping? Choosing just the right gift for someone is half the fun but the other half is knowing they will love opening it. It’s all in the presentation, where special attention is given to every detail of the gift packaging. We really want your gift giving and receiving to be extraordinary, so we’ve designed our gift packaging with that in mind, slipping each item into its own red silk bag tied with our signature ribbon, including a personalized card, tissue paper, and crinkle paper filler. We’d love to hear what you think. Drop us a line at cynthia@redlanternstyle.com.

Currie Bag Goes to Chicago Benefit

2007-10-22 17:14:53 -0400

In a delightfully appropriate twist, our Currie Bag was worn to a benefit in Chicago. It was given as a gift by Penny to a good friend who shared with her that when she opened the package she was surprised to find “a most beautiful purse – handmade and lovely.” She went on to tell her that she would wear it that weekend to a special benefit and thought it would be a hit. We find it particularly appropriate to know that the handbag whose purchase is a benefit to people in need was taken to an event that was also designed to give back. Giving never looked so fashionable!

Your Purchases Begin to Make a Difference

2007-10-15 11:20:07 -0400

This is it, this what we’ve been working for, this very moment as we write the first check in support of our projects, slip it in an envelope, and put it in the mail. My mind goes to the kids in Cambodia who will receive hope…the person in the Congo who will be able to take out a loan…the person who has been trafficked into slavery who might be helped. Every purchase you’ve made this last month has helped us partner together to make it happen. This check says we’re serious about our commitment to give and support these projects that will make a difference in lives of people around the world. You are making a difference!

Kelly from Mich. Gives Red Lantern and Gives Back

2007-10-10 14:21:42 -0400

Some things just make your day! We received a really encouraging note from Kelly who wrote, “I wanted to let you know I received my items today and they are just lovely. I love the added touch of enclosing the items in a sheer red bag with ribbon. I purchased both as gifts for girlfriends, and I now realize I should have used the discount to buy presents for myself instead!!” She also mentioned that including the Red Lantern information card would let her friends know that their gifts had a giving back purpose. We think it’s great that Kelly pleased with her gifts and will be giving them to others! 20% of her purchase will go to help kids in Cambodia~Thanks Kelly!

The Name Red Lantern

2007-09-27 09:22:08 -0400

I am often asked why we chose the name Red Lantern for our business. Believe me, choosing a name is not an easy process! We tossed many ideas around as a team in our living room over tea. Red Lantern seemed a perfect fit, a name that came to us from our experience of living in Asia where red lanterns are used to decorate streets, parks and homes for special events and holidays. They are joyful and bright, and full of celebration. As we discussed it further, we realized there was a deeper and more significant meaning to the word lantern. We believe we are to live our lives as lights in our world, loving and helping those around us. What better way to state our purpose than to use a name that encourages us to be joyful, bright lights in our world.

Hooked on Photo Albums

2007-09-25 14:36:57 -0400

My family and I have traveled to many wonderful and interesting places, and lots of travel means lots of pictures. I found myself looking for an attractive but practical way to store and display them. When we lived in China, I frequently walked by a wonderful little shop that featured lovely silk covered photo albums in special boxes. I was hooked. A couple of albums became several, until my collection filled shelves, were stacked on tables, and served as home decor. My husband became alarmed. I had to share them, and I gave them as gifts to family and friends. And now I want to share them with you. I hope you love them as much as I do!