Using your personalized Christmas lantern is easy. First, take the lantern out of the package. It comes with batteries, so you just need to insert them into the battery compartment. Once the batteries are in, turn on the lantern and watch it light up. When giving it as a gift, you can put your chosen personal message, family name, or photos on it. As for maintenance, keep it away from water as it's made of plastic. If it gets dirty, you can use a dry cloth to gently wipe it. Store it in a cool, dry place when not in use during the off - season. That way, you can enjoy this lantern for many Christmases to come.