Growing up in Texas, one of our traditions on Christmas Eve was to line the sidewalk leading up to our house with lumenarias. When we moved to California, the tradition came with us – though it was our extra-long driveway that we lined with them, instead of the sidewalk. I loved walking outside at dusk and seeing the candles in the lumenarias flickering. To me, it was as magical as the lights on our Christmas tree.

Traditionally lumenarias are very simple – a candle set in a paper bag, filled with sand. They are thought to have been a version of what Spanish merchants saw when they visited China. The Spanish origin is why they are found primarily in the traditions of the American Southwest.

While we originally used regular tea lights in our version, I’ve since switched to using LED tea light candles. I remember the bags blowing over a time or two and prefer not to have to worry about the fire hazard.

Making lumenarias is easy. You will need:

paper lunch bags (number depends on area being covered, but one per every 1-2 feet)
sand or cat litter (to weigh down the paper bags)
LED tealights

lumenarias - a candle in a paper bag - on the steps of a porch

Fold down the top of each paper bag 2-3 times. Fill with a 1 to 2 inch layer of sand or cat litter. Place tea light inside.

If you choose to use a regular tea light, it’s easier to light the candle with a long match or lighter after you’ve placed it in the bag. (Just try not to catch the bag on fire while doing so.)

Some ideas on where to place lumenarias:

driveway
sidewalk
fence
around the edge of your yard or lawn
roof line
porch and/or porch steps

You can also arrange them in rows or create a design as part of a display.

Lumenarias

Traditionally lumenarias are very simple - a candle set in a paper bag filled with sand. They are thought to have been a version of what Spanish merchants saw when they visited China, and the Spanish origin is why they are found primarily in the traditions of the American Southwest.

While we originally used regular tea lights in our version, I've since switched to using LED tea light candles. I remember the bags blowing over a time or two and prefer not to have to worry about the fire hazard.

Materials

paper lunch bags (how many depends on the area being covered, but generally figure on one per every 1-2 feet)
sand or cat litter (to weigh down the paper bags)
LED or regular tea-lights

Tools

A long-handled lighter, if using regular tealights

Instructions

Fold down the top of each paper bag 2-3 times. Fill with a 1- to 2-inch layer of sand or cat litter. Place tea light inside.

If you choose to use a regular tea light, it's easier to light the candle with a long match or lighter after you've placed it in the bag. (Be sure not to catch the bag on fire while doing so.)