How to Decorate Luminarias
Homemade luminarias are an inexpensive way to light up a patio, line your sidewalk or highlight your steps. Decorating your own luminarias allows your creative side to takeover and you'll have fun during the process. Luminarias make wonderful outdoor holiday decorations, but you don't need to stop with the holidays. Grouping luminarias around the patio creates a festive touch and adds soft lighting as well. The whole family can take part in choosing designs to decorate original luminarias for your home.
Things You'll Need
- Tin can
- Sand
- Water
- Paper
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Tape
- Nail
- Hammer
- Votive candle
Instructions
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Tin Can Luminarias
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1
Examine the top ridge of the empty can for sharp edges. Use pliers to pinch and flatten all sharp spots. Wash the inside of an empty tin can and remove the label.
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2
Pour sand inside the can and stop 1 inch from the top of the can. Add water to within 1 inch of the top of the can and place inside your freezer. Once frozen solid, the sand and water provide a sturdy surface for nailing a design.
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3
Cut a piece of paper the same size as the can and use as a template to make a design. Place the paper on a hard surface and trace a simple design. Add a small amount of detail, such as the veins of a leaf. Tape the paper to the can.
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4
Select a nail size that will leave a 1/8-inch diameter hole. Pound the nail into the design at 1/2-inch intervals. Wiggle the nail to pull it out and continue to use the same nail throughout the design.
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5
Remove the paper template and place the can inside a bucket, or outside, until the frozen block of water and sand are thawed and have drained out the holes.
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6
Dump the sand out of the can except for 1 inch of sand at the bottom of the can. Press a votive candle firmly into the sand and light the candle.
Lunch Bag Luminaria
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7
Place the folded bag on a work surface. Sketch a simple design on the front of the bag at least 2 inches from the bottom of the bag. A simple design would be a Valentine heart or Christmas tree.
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8
Insert several layers of newspaper inside the open lunch bag. The newspaper will stop punctures from penetrating the back of the bag.
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9
Poke holes using a chopstick, or similar object, around the outline of the design. Space the holes 1/2- to 3/4-inch apart.
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10
Fold the top of the bag down 3 inches, this will add more stability to the bag and keep the sides of the bag from collapsing at the side creases. Fill the bottom of the bag with 1 inch of sand and center a votive candle in the sand.
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11
Place the bags evenly along the sidewalk or steps and light the candle.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Select tin cans larger than 16 oz. for best results.
Choose a design for the season you'll display the luminaria, such as leaves for autumn or a snowflake for winter.
Use colored markers to accentuate the design and add details to paper luminarias.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
