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CommentsLights of joy
Farolitos and luminarias were traditionally used to guide New Mexican children to church during the re-enactment of La Posada, the Holy Family’s journey in search of shelter. Now their soft illuminations are seen across southwest gardens and rooftops, and public venues have followed suit — most notably the Desert Botanical Garden. Some homeowners prefer to keep them up all year, as a sign of hospitality.
Designs stenciled onto paper lunch sacks form a simple project your family can create for your garden. We chose white sacks that allow the candlelight to diffuse.
Brown or white lunch paper sacks
Small holiday stencils (found at craft stores)
Red or green water-soluble acrylic paint
Blue painters’ tape
Paper plate or paint tray
Small bag of sand
Sponge-tip craft brushes
Tea light candles
Glass votives
Decorative craft scissors
Tape stencils to the fronts of each bag. Squeeze about a 50-cent-size blob of ink onto a paper plate or paint tray. Load up the paint evenly on a clean sponge-tipped brush. Begin dabbing paint on the stencils to fill in cut areas. Work carefully and not too fast – you don’t want to accidentally push too much paint onto the stencil, which can result in paint spreading underneath.
Remove stencil and tape (don’t worry about a little paper coming away, as that won’t be visible at night). Allow to dry thoroughly.
To use the luminarias fill each with about inch of sand to anchor the bag. Place the tea light candles in votive holders into each bag; light carefully light with hand-held butane lighter. Enjoy the glow.
