The history of the luminaria and how to make it!
What is a Luminaria?
Luminaria is a term used in different parts of the world to describe a type of holiday twinkling lights that make your surroundings look like a winter wonderland, especially during Christmas! In English, we often use the term to talk about a particular type of lantern – a simple paper bag with a glowing secret inside!
Origins of Luminarias:
Did you know that the first luminarias were like tiny bonfires made from branches? People would crisscross piñon branches to create small squares of light. Today, we use brown paper bags filled with sand and a candle inside to make our luminarias. It's like having a little piece of history shining in our homes!
How to Make a Traditional Luminaria:
Creating your own luminaria is super easy and fun! All you need is a brown paper bag, some sand, and a votive candle. Fold the top of the bag, fill it with a couple of cups of sand, and gently place the candle inside. Ta-da! You've made your very own luminaria lantern. Creating your own mini galaxy of lights!
Not Just for Christmas:
But guess what? Luminarias aren't just for Christmas anymore! They've become so popular that you can find them for almost any outdoor event. Whether it's Halloween, July 4th, or any other special occasion, luminarias are here to add a touch of magic and warmth to your celebrations.
In some places, people use strings of artificial luminarias with plastic bags and small light bulbs. These electric luminarias shine bright throughout the holiday season. It's like having a trail of stars right in your backyard! They've become super popular, especially in the American Southwest. The warm glow of these lanterns symbolizes hope, love, and the joy of the holiday season.
Next time you see these twinkling wonders, remember the magic they hold and the festive spirit they bring to our hearts. Light up your holidays with luminarias and let the celebration begin!
Thank You
Thank you to everyone who came by the Las Vegas Natural History Museums for our Try It Tuesday activity, where we learned about the history of luminarias and how they evolved into a modern-day tradition. Some of who had such great creations, we had to post them here!