Our Monthly Tip: How to Create Personalized Memorial Luminaries

Friends and family attend a fall memorial service at the family’s home
Credit: wayfair.com

Our Tip of the Month

The bronze and golden hues of an autumn landscape remind us how beautiful the end of a season can be. By night time, fall memorial luminaries — also called little lanterns — can add a flickering glow to October’s lengthening darkness, suggesting memories of times gone by and those who once shared those times with us.

Memorial luminaries bring light to our recollections of our lost loved ones. A personal touch can be added to the traditional sand-based, candlelit paper bags by decorating them with photo images of loved ones and favorite expressions.

How-to Suggestions

Start by transferring a word file or photo file to a paper bag luminary using an inkjet printer. (Please note – this will not work with a laser printer or copier.)

1. First, measure your paper bag, which will probably be the size of a lunch bag, about 6 inches by 12 inches. Since you won’t be printing on the whole bag, you can shorten the page layout a bit (in this case to 6 by 10). The bag will be easier to print if you position the image or text higher on the page rather than lower because the bag will be thinner in that area.

Credit: theswelldesigner.com

2. Create a new print size setting on the printer (in this case, 6 by 10). The way to do this will vary according to the printer used. Adjust the tray to fit the dimensions of the bag.

3. Flatten the bottom of the bag so it will run through the printer easily and won’t get stuck!

4. Feed the bag into the printer, opening side face down.

5.  Send your image to print. Word of warning — this can be tricky and could first result in a feed error or two because of the thickness of the bag. However, once you get the hang of it, it will be easier to navigate.

6. Lightly guide the printed bag out of the printer with your hand.

If you want to skip the DIY printing, bring your word or photo file to a printing center. You can expect results back in seven to 10 days. To set up the bags with a sand base and candles, follow instructions here. If the lit memorial luminary will be left unattended, use battery-operated votives.

Your customized and personalized memorial luminaries can line your driveway and sidewalk, flank your entry and stairs, and illuminate your mantel. Their personalized touch will warm hearts as well as space.