Thrifty Gifts: Luminarios

In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
[Jn 1, 4]

Growing up in Texas, luminarias, paper bag lamps directing the path of Baby Jesus on Christmas Eve, were a holiday tradition in my neighborhood. My siblings and I used to make sets of them for the parish's annual Christmas fundraiser. We used the traditional paper bag kind without incident, but if you are concerned about fire safety, the Church Ladies have a few other versions to share.

Traditional Paper Bag Luminarias
Tin Can Luminarias (safer)

Ann Ball's Catholic Traditions in the Home and Clasroom offers the safest option. Make tin can luminarias, but punch a hole big enough for a bulb to fit through in the bottom. Stake outdoor big bulb lights along your front path at least 2" above the ground. Place the tin cans over the bulbs.

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