Halloween Experts

Our project for this week will help you provide atmosphere and charm to your Halloween decorating! Luminaries are most traditionally made from small paper bags, and contain a small votive candle or tea light to add the soft glow with which to line walkways and stairs. Our luminaries will be sturdier, reusable, and nearly free! They can be used for any occasion, but lend themselves particularly well to the Halloween season.

Here is what you will need:

Empty soup cans, washed and dried with the labels removed.

A permanent marker

A towel

A hammer

A couple of nails of different sizes

Orange and/or Black spray paint (try metallic colors too!)

Wire coat hangers

Here is what you do:

Choose a simple Halloween graphic to use as a pattern. Clip art, which can be found for free online, is an excellent resource for patterns. Using the permanent marker, draw your pattern on the clean, dry soup can. Any marks will eventually be covered by paint. Fill the soup cans with water, and freeze them overnight.

Lay the towel on a flat surface to soak up any water from the ice melting and keep the cans from slipping around while you work. Using the hammer and nails, punch holes in the can, about every ¼ to ½ inch along the lines of your pattern. The ice will keep the can from collapsing while you work on it. If you want to hang your luminaries, make sure you punch 2 extra holes at the top on either side of the can for the handle.

Once your pattern has been “punched”, put the cans in warm water to melt the ice inside, and then dry the cans thoroughly. Spray paint the sides and bottom of the cans. If you are making hanging luminaries, cut a length of coat hanger wire about 12-14 inches long, and thread it through the top holes on either side of your lantern, like a bail handle.
When your luminaries are completely dry, add a votive candle or tea light.

This is a great family project, and your finished luminaries will add a touch of Halloween charm to your sidewalk or patio! As stated earlier, luminaries can be used for any occasion: weddings, Christmas, 4th of July, birthdays… Don’t wait for Halloween to let your imagination light up your decorating!