How to Make Votive Candle Luminarias
Votive candle luminarias are a great way to light up your walkway during the holiday season. They are simple to make and only take minutes to set up. You can even brighten your entire neighborhood with votive candle luminarias if someone coordinates the effort. It's an event that can help the entire neighborhood get into the holiday spirit.
Things You'll Need
- Paper lunch sacks
- Votive candleholders
- Votive candles
- Sand or kitty litter
- Long handled butane lighter or match
Instructions
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1
Plan on setting the luminarias between two and four feet apart on flat surfaces. Step off or measure the area to see how many paper lunch sacks you need for the display.
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2
Gather your materials. You can purchase inexpensive paper lunch sacks or you can use colored bags if you prefer. White or light colored bags let the most light out and offer the best lighting effect. You can either use votive candles and their holders or tea lights. Tea lights don't burn as long.
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3
Open each paper bag. Fold the top of the paper bag down about two inches. This can make the bag more stable.
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4
Put two inches of sand or kitty litter into the bottom of the bag. Push a votive candleholder firmly into the sand. Drop a votive candle into the holder. Or push a tea light into the sand to within 1/2" of the top of the metal cup. Pull the wick so that it is standing up.
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5
Continue filling the lumunarias with votive candles until you fill them all. Set them out according to your plan.
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6
Use the long-handled butane lighter or a long matchstick to light the luminarias. Sit back and enjoy them. Make sure to douse the flame in each luminaria at the end of the evening.
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