How to Make Luminaries With Things Around the House

Make luminaries out of lunch sacks for any occasion.

Luminaries are light-filled bags that light the walkway up to your house, sit on porches or patios, or can be arranged around your door or stairs to help trick-or-treaters see on Halloween night. Making your own luminaries is simple and can often be done by using items you already have on hand. Kids can help make their own luminaries with an adult's help. Make luminaries for any season to help guests find the way to your door.

Things You'll Need

• Paper sacks, any color or size
• Scissors, pinking shears
• Stickers
• Rocks, rice or dry beans
• Tea light candles or LED lights

Instructions

1. Decide how you are going to decorate your luminaries. You can use paper bags of any color and size, but lunch-sized bags typically work best. You can create cutout designs in the bags or simply decorate your bags wth stickers. Make a pretty edge on the top of the bags by cutting across the top with pinking shears. To create cutout designs, lie the bag flat with the edges flat as well. Cut out a design in the center of the bag carefully, making sure it goes through to the other side. Decorating with stickers may be safer for small children making luminaries. Or, use shaped hole punchers to make designs in the bags.

2. Find a weight for your luminaries. The luminaries need a weight to keep them stationery in the outdoor wind and weather. Anything with some bulk to it can provide a good weight, so see what you have available. Uncooked rice grains or beans work nicely, and if you don't have those, go outside and gather some small rocks to use. Fill the bottom of the bags with the weights, up to about an inch so you will be able to nestle your light into the rocks or beans.

3. Pick a light for your lumaries. Tea light candles will work, but you may feel safer using LED lights. Check and see what you have on hand. You can use other types of candles as well, but make sure they are in a holder inside the bag so they won't tip over. Light your luminaries and place them where you like. Enjoy the glow of the luminary bags.

References

• Save On Crafts: Paper Bag Luminarias

Resources

• Craftzine: Paper Bag Luminaries