Make Luminaries
Luminaries are an age-old Mexican holiday tradition. Luminaries are most often made from paper bags and lit with candles to illuminate a pathway, stairway or other area. Today, people use them during celebrations, holidays and for other decorative touches throughout the year. Use these tips to create your own luminaries.
Steps
- Select the type of bags you want to use to make your luminaries.
- Choose lunch-sized brown paper bags that are much like the bags used traditionally in Mexico. Brown paper bags block much of the light, except for what shines through the cut-out areas of the bag.
- Pick colored gift sacks that are made of thick paper or paper that is not transparent. Colored bags fit into a specific décor or can be used for color-themed events, such as proms or weddings.
- Create a design that is appropriate for your use.
- Choose a design for the front of your bag. A design that is too large for the size of your bag may be reduced on a copy machine in order to fit properly.
- Ensure that your pattern does not allow too much open space on the front of your bag. Too much open space can decrease the stability of your bag and allow it to crumple.
- Create a design that is easy to cut out of the bag. You will be cutting out patterns on several bags. A simple design is much easier and quicker to cut out than an intricate or complicated design.
- Transfer your design to cardboard or cardstock so you can use it as a pattern on your bags.
- Consider gluing or taping colored tissue paper over the pattern you cut out on your luminary. Tissue paper filters the light and can make it appear a different color.
- Prepare to light the luminaries. There are several light sources that provide adequate light for a luminary.
- Put approximately 1 lb. (453 g) of sand in the bottom of your luminary bag to weigh it down. If sand is not available, substitute with rocks or other heavy objects.
- Set a tea light candle into the sand. Push it gently into the sand so it sits securely in the bag.
- Place a battery-powered tea light into the bag's sand.
- Use a flashlight as a light source in your luminaries. Attempt to set it upright so it provides even light throughout the bag
- Set a lit glow stick in the bag for light.
- Set the luminaries out in a row along a pathway, driveway or on stairwells.
- Light the luminaries with your choice of light source right before dark. Light the luminaries 10 to 15 minutes before visitors arrive if you're planning to use them as a welcome to a party.
- Cut out the design on one side of your bag with a utility knife. Place a piece of cardboard, a slab of wood or a quilter's mat underneath one layer of your bag when you cut out the design. Cutting through both sides of your luminary bag will result in a bag that puts off less light through your pattern.
Things You'll Need
- Bags
- Stencil
- Utility knife
- Sand
- Light source
- Cardboard, wood or quilter's mat
