Here are directions to make luminaries of your own at home. They are quick and easy crafts and can be done with a variety of ages.

What you need:

1. A glass container with a wide opening.
2. tissue paper and/or paper napkins (I chose some with fun Valetine’s Day Patterns)
3. Regular white glue or Mod Pog (either will work)
4. Scissors
5. A paint brush for the glue
6. Candle or electronic candle

How to do it

1. Decide what you want to put on your luminary. We cut shapes out of plain tissue paper and some of the shapes out of patterned paper napkins. Just be sure to split your napkins so you’re only using one layer.
2. Using the paint brush, brush glue onto the container where you want the things you’ve cut out.
3. Carefully place tissue paper or napkin in place and gently smooth out with your thumb or finger.
4. Continue until you have all the shapes, patterns or pictures you want on your container.
5. Lightly spread glue over the top.
6. Allow to dry
7. Place candle or electronic candle inside your completed luminary and watch how the light shines through your work.
8. Enjoy the new ambiance.

As we made them, the design will wash off with a little soap and water. Feel free to do this again and again for each holiday. Or if you want to keep your luminary, take it outside and spray paint with some polyurethane clear coat on top and allow to completely dry before using. Now your design will last year after year.

We have a few take and make kits for these in the library. Please stop in to pick one up. When you’re done, take some pictures and share on our Facebook page what you have done.