Las Posadas Craft: Luminarias

One of the crafts associated with las Posadas, is the luminaria. These paper lanterns often line the sidewalks, porches, and driveways of the home hosting las Posadas. They light the way for the peregrinos outside, who will sing as they are pidiendo posada. Be sure to check out my post Las Posadas Lesson Plans, Crafts, Activities, and Music for a lot more information and resources on this Mexican Christmastime tradition.

Today's Posada craft was so simple to create! My kids had a blast making their farolitos...and I think they all turned out beautifully.

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Supplies for making your own luminarias

Here's what you'll need to create your luminarias:

- Paper bags (any color, though, white is nice!)
- Punches with different designs - Try to get at least one all over the page punch
- Wavy scissors
- Stick-on gems (optional)
- Battery-powered tea lights

Directions for DIY luminarias

The key to this craft is finding a magnetic all over the page punch. I happened to be looking through the Marth Stewart section in Michaels the other day and found this one on sale for $11. (If I had used my 50% off sticker it would have been cheaper!! Oops.) But there were MANY more designs to choose from! (I sense a lighter wallet in my future.) If you can't find an all over the page punch, don't worry. You can still do this craft with the ones you have.

First, remove the top portion of your punch, and center your bag on the base plate.

Next replace the top. You don't have to worry about centering it; the magnets will pull it into place. 

We did find it helpful to hold the paper bag in place, though, with one finger as the motion of the punch sliding into place can pull the bag off to the side.

Then your child can simply push down on the top! It should punch very easily.

Next, let your child use smaller punches to decorate the edges. Be sure to save the punched out shapes for future craft projects. (They also make great confetti...ahem. Cascarones!)



If he/she wants to, your child can then use their wavy papercraft scissors to make a decorative edge along the top. I have one child who likes to do it willy-nilly, and the other who likes a perfectly straight edge. If your child is like this, then you can help them by showing them how to draw a line across the top using the bottom edge of another bag as a ruler as shown...

Open your bag and stick in a battery-powered tea light (I don't like to use candles in paper bags with the children around - fire hazard!) And you're done!

If you're kids are artsy like mine, they may enjoy embellishing the outside a little bit with some stick-on gems or stamps/stickers.

Have your children make a small stack of these for gift giving. Abuelitas are sure to love them!
Oh, and they make good night lights, too!


Happy crafting!

Other Posts You May Enjoy

• Downloads for Celebrating Las Posadas
  
  
• Tutorial: Fast & Easy Papel Picado Banner
  
  
• Las Posadas Craft: Piñata Ornaments
  
  
• 4 Children's Books to Celebrate Las Posadas

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