Paper bag luminaries are a wonderful and inexpensive way to decorate your patio this 4th of July. These easy to make paper luminaries can be used as tabletop decorations or placed along the sidewalks to light the path for your guests.
Supplies needed
To make a 4th of July paper luminary, you will need an assortment of small paper bags in patriotic colors. Dollar stores are the best resource for cheap, colorful bags, however the better quality bags are found at party supply houses or craft stores. Colored bags are usually priced between 20¢ to 35¢ per bag. Select a mix of red, white, and blue glossy bags or choose from either red or blue.
In addition to the bags, you will need votive candles and holders, scissors, and the following supplies which can be purchased at all craft stores:
White, red, and blue curling ribbon
White, red, and blue Scribbles dimensional paint
Self adhesive stars stickers
Paper hole punch
A brick sized piece of florist’s foam or styrofoam (recycled OK)
Making the basic paper bag luminary
A basic paper bag luminary is nothing more than a lit candle placed inside of an empty paper sack. The light from the candle causes to paper to glow, creating a wonderful display of muted colors along the sidewalk. In areas of wind, you can add some small pebbles, marbles, or sand to keep the bag weighted.
To add pizzaz to your 4th of July luminaries, you can try the following ideas:
Patriotic July 4th ribbon edging
1. Use the hole punch to make holes along the rim of the bag.
2. Cut the red, blue, and white curling ribbon into 24″ sections.
3. Thread the ribbons through the holes as if you are sewing using with a whip stitch or a running stitch.
4. Curl the remaining excess ribbon and tie into a bow.
Punch art
In the 1700 and 1800s, punch art was a popular form of decorating tin work. You can create a punch art luminary using a 3 penny nail and the florist foam for support.
1. Place the flattened bag on a table, flap side underneath.
2. Use a pencil to sketch in a star, American flag, a small comet, or some other 4th of July design.
3. Insert the florist foam inside the bag.
4. Use the nail to punch holes along your pattern, spacing the holes 1/4″ apart.
5. Remove the foam, and insert the votive candle into the opened bag. The candle will shine through the openings of your design for a stellar display.
Scribble art
Using the Scribbles dimensional paint and stickers, decorate the outside of the bag with stars, star bursts, lightening bolts and other 4th of July symbols. You can refer to the attached photograph for ideas or create some of your own designs. Using this decorating technique, your 4th of July paper bag luminaries will look stunning during daylight and especially festive once darkness falls and the votive candle is placed inside.
Combo art
Using all three of these techniques, combine them into one fabulous 4th of July paper bag luminary. Begin with the ribbon edging first, punch in the design next, and finish with a wild rainbow of firework colors. To personalize the luminaries, use the Scribbles paint to write the names of guests. At the end of the 4th of July festivities, the paper bag luminaries can double as goody bags for leftover party treats.
