How to Make Paper Bag Lanterns

Tea lights can be used in paper bags to make lanterns.

Paper bag lanterns are otherwise known as "luminarias" or "farolitos." Hosts use them to illuminate driveways, walkways and even house roofs when they are entertaining, especially in the Southwest. Santa Fe, New Mexico, is well-known for its widespread use of paper bag lanterns during the winter holiday season. The welcoming glow of a home decorated with paper bag lanterns is a delightful scene. The practice dates back to the 1500s when fires were lit along roads. Later, Chinese lanterns were used. Gradually, people started making their own paper lanterns out of bags and candles.

Things You'll Need

• Paper bags
• Old magazine or cutting mat
• Masking tape
• Scissors
• Craft knife
• Paper punch
• Sand
• Tea lights

Instructions

1. Select lunch-sized paper bags for this project. You can use other sizes, but do not go smaller than the lunch-size bag because the paper will be too close to the tea light flame in the finished lantern. Use new or used paper bags.

2. Lay a bag flat on an old magazine and tape it down. You could also tape it to a self-healing cutting mat sold at craft stores. Pull the bottom fold of the bag out to expose more surface area of the bag.

3. Cut out small openings in decorative shapes such as hearts, stars, half moons or circles. Make sure to cut through both layers of the bag, but do not cut through the side panels that are folded between the layers. Cut the openings to form larger geometric patterns or shapes.

4. Use a decorative paper punch to create interesting and attractive patterns on the bags. The openings are for allowing light patterns to shine through.

5. Place the paper bag lanterns where you will be using them. Put an inch or two of clean playground sand, available at home improvement centers, in the bottom of each lantern. Alternatively, you can use clean cat litter instead of sand.

6. Nestle a tea light in the middle of the bottom of each bag. Light the tea light to illuminate your paper lantern.

Tips & Warnings

• Use battery-operated tea lights to eliminate the fire hazard.

• Line driveways or walkways with paper bag lanterns at intervals of 1 or 2 feet for a glowing illumination during a nighttime party.

• Use paper bag lanterns when snow is on the ground. The snow picks up the light and reflects more illumination.

• Use white or colored paper bags for a different look.

• Use extreme caution when lighting the paper bag lanterns. Open flames near paper can be a fire hazard. Do not use the lanterns in a strong wind.

• Cutting out too many small openings from the side of the bag ruins the effect and causes the bag to collapse.

References

• Save on Crafts: Creating Paper Bag Luminarias
• Care 2: Handmade Luminaria How-To
• New Mexico Luminaria Company: Little Luminarias