These simple luminaries will add a touch of homemade charm to any area of your home. You can put them outside or group them in a corner for a cozy feel.

Tin Can Luminaries - DIY Christmas Decorating Project

What you will need:

1. Tin cans
2. White paint
3. Paint brush
4. Nail
5. Hammer
6. Newspaper and cardboard
7. Candles
8. Various Christmas cookie cutter shapes such as a star, Christmas tree, and bell
9. Pencil

Directions:

1. Wash the tin cans and remove labels.
2. Dry the cans.
3. Apply a layer of white paint to the outside of all the cans.
4. Allow the paint to dry.
5. Apply two more coats of paint and allow drying time between each coat.
6. When the cans have dried you are now ready to begin putting on the shapes.
7. Using a cookie cutter to trace around, pencil the shape you want to do onto a can. It is best if you choose large shapes that are relatively simple. If there are too many corners or if it is too elaborate it will just look like a bunch of dots when you are done. You can also freehand swirling lines for a nice wintry blizzard look.
8. Stuff the inside of the can with as much newspaper and cardboard as you can. This helps the can retain its shape as you are punching the holes. It will also make punching the holes go faster.
9. After you have penciled on the shape and stuffed the inside with newspaper, use the nail and hammer to poke holes through the tin. Place the point of the nail right on the penciled in line and firmly tap it with the hammer until you have broken through the tin. If you want larger holes tap the nail through until it reaches its roundest point. If you want smaller holes only let the very tip of the nail go through the tin. You will want to try and space the holes evenly apart to achieve the best look.
10. When you have finished punching all the holes you may need to go back and touch up a few areas with paint that may have been scratched while you were punching the holes.
11. Allow the paint to dry.
12. Put a candle inside each of the luminaries.
13. Using a long match, tip the luminary so that you can reach the candle better to light it.

Now you can enjoy the warm glow of the luminaries. You can also choose sweet smelling candles to place in the luminaries to add to the appeal of your home such as: cinnamon, pine tree, or apple. You can also start a fun tradition in your family with the luminaries by making one each year and putting the date on it. Your kids will enjoy looking at them and remembering each Christmas. You can also tell the kids that by putting the luminaries outside and lighting them you are helping Santa Claus find his way to your house.