As the evenings draw in, it’s essential to think about how you are planning to light up the party if you are planning a celebration that is going to take place outside as well as inside. Candles are ideal, but they can be a little dull and formulaic if you don’t choose just the right ones for the occasion.

A wonderful solution that fits in with any type of celebration is to use luminaries to completely transform any tealight and provide a stunning and eye catching addition to your party decorations.

So what exactly is a luminary? Put simply, it consists of a base that is filled with either water or sand to prevent the sleeve from blowing away. The tealight is placed in a small hole in the base, and then the sleeve provided is placed inside the bag, which is the part that is seen on the outside.

It is a simple combination of materials that provides an outstanding effect once the candle is lit. If you have an outdoor pool you can use the luminaries around the edge, while a garden path would look equally stunning with luminaries to light the way… to a pergola at the other end of the garden perhaps?

Luminaries come in plenty of different designs, and the one you choose will depend on what occasion you are celebrating. For example, if you are planning a Christmas party and you want to light up your front drive and porch to welcome people inside with Christmas decorations, you can buy a set of luminaries with Christmas tree patterns cut out of the sleeves. Alternatively a set bearing a snowflake design would go down just as well – and if you have a particularly long driveway why not get some of each?

Luminaries are also perfect for a wedding celebration. Just imagine enjoying the wedding reception as the sun sets on a wonderful day, with linked hearts glowing from all the lit luminaries. A perfect for wedding decorations.

The good news is that they are an inexpensive way to add a touch of real style and class – not to mention an unusual lighting theme – to any party. Each luminary works out at just under two dollars apiece; that’s excellent value for a stunning product, and what’s more when the tealight burns out you simply have to replace it. If they are well looked after, your luminaries can and will last for a long time to come.

When it comes to storing your luminaries, make sure you keep them somewhere dry and free from damp. A sturdy box is a good idea, since there is no danger they will get creased. So long as they are laid flat you will be able to use them over and over again at parties that are still to come.

To this end, you may decide to get a more neutral design that will work at any celebration. Think about a cocktail design for example, or a simple lantern design. This would guarantee the luminaries will be brought out for a long time to come!
Author Sandra Canfield

Article source: Light Up the Night With Luminaries