One More Sleep til Christmas Day!

"It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself."
Charles Dickens

Well, it is here! Christmas Eve. What will you be doing this evening? After dark we will set the paper bag luminarias outside along the curb and up the street. They give such a warm glow. As families nearby return from church or visit relatives I hope they catch a glimpse of our little 'lanterns'.

Although many people associate “luminarias” with the holiday lighting of candles placed in small, brown, sand-filled bags, luminarias first appear historically around the 16th century, as a Spanish tradition of lighting bonfires along the roads and churchyards to guide people to Midnight Mass on the final night of Las Posadas.
The night of Las Posadas (Spanish word meaning lodging or inn) is a festive celebration that was first introduced to the indigenous people of Mexico by European missionaries, and is a reenactment of the story of Mary and Joseph's search for lodging in Bethlehem. The tradition continued into modern times—with the decoration of rooftops, walls, sidewalks and driveways of individual homes—as a way of guiding travelers to their destination.
The candlelit brown paper bags are also called "farolitos," the Spanish word for little lanterns. In the early 19th century, U.S. settlers on the Santa Fe trail brought Chinese paper lanterns to hang from their portals and light their entranceways. They were beautiful but expensive, and eventually, the paper bag version became the tradition. Today, luminarias and farolitos have become an American holiday tradition and a southwestern tradition of welcome. As well as the traditional paper bags with candles, modern day versions also include the electric luminarias or farolitos. Whatever you choose to call them, honor the history of luminarias by setting some out this Christmas and adding a new tradition to your holidays regardless of where you live.

How to make your own candle luminarias:
1) Turn down the top 1" of brown or white paper lunch bags to make a sturdy rim.
2) Place about 1" of sand or cat litter in the bottom of the bag.
3) Place a votive candle in the center of the bag (or use battery run tealights)
4) Place luminarias on sidewalk and light candles.

These would also be nice for New Years Eve! Put them on the porch to greet guests. Inside the house are all our Advent calendars, old and new~ There is a wooden house...

and paper...

and two that stand up and have mini storybooks inside...

and one Santa!

Isn't this the cutest fabric? I think I will whip up a couple of quick pillowcases with it just in time for our last sleep before Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all of my Followers and visitors! I look forward to sharing teatimes and stories with you and reading the lovely comments you leave here. Wishing you...

And last, but not least, I saw this on Miss Kathy's  blog and wanted to share it with you. (below) Do visit her! You will love what she has there~

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