How Does a Luminary Help Decorate a Walkway?

Extending Your Welcome

Luminaries (from the Latin word "lumen," which means light) are outdoor lights, usually temporary, intended to light the path to your doorway for guests. They can be made of several materials and thanks to recent solar technology, no longer need to be disposed of as soon as your guests leave.

The light for luminaries is usually candlelight, so luminaries need to be constructed of materials that will shelter candles from wind. One of the early fall holidays that is well lit by luminaries is Halloween--we usually make a luminary, in the form of a carved pumpkin. Jack-o'-lanterns, as we call them, were originally an Irish/English country creation and were first made with turnips. Someone walking home on a dark road could fashion a quick luminary by coring a turnip and adding a stub of a candle into the turnip.

Making Luminaries

In Mexico and the American Southwest, luminaries are often made of paper. A quick version can be made by putting several tablespoons of sand in the bottom of a brown paper lunch bag and adding a tea light. The sand keeps the "shade" from blowing over and also provides a safe place for a candle to burn out. Paper luminaries work best in consistently dry climates.

Square or cylindrical metal luminaries usually have holes punched or stamped in them in decorative patterns. They most resemble old lanterns, again deriving their light from candles, sometimes possessing a cover that will keep the candle lit in case of rain. These can be made at home using large, empty coffee cans or other food cans. Place a block of wood inside to steady the can while you make holes with a hammer and large nail. The only caution to remember about metal luminaries is that they can become hot to the touch. With both metal and paper luminaries, care should be taken to keep children and pets at a distance to avoid the danger of burns or clothing fires.

New Kinds of Luminaries

Self-contained wireless solar lights make an excellent substitute for candle-powered luminaries, especially in areas where you are concerned about access for children and pets. Solar lights usually come with stakes to anchor them in the ground and are easily moved. Their low light burns white or yellow. Lights burn cool or cold. Remember to give them a good day in the sun to charge so they can stay lit all night.

Battery-operated candles let you create fragile luminaries without danger of fire. New technology means that some of them even flicker like regular candles.

We've come a long way from welcoming a traveler with a candle in the window. Now there is another way to extend our welcome beyond the front door.