Southwestern Christmas - Luminarias and Farolitos

A SOUTHWESTERN CHRISTMAS - LUMINARIAS AND FAROLITOS

Linda really enjoys the Thanksgiving/Christmas season. The lights, the special designs and shapes and the stories of the season really excite her this time of year. As a result, we always go all out decorating for the holiday season.

Since we moved to New Mexico, we have converted much of our Christmas decorating to the southwest flavor. We thought it would be great to give you a little glimpse into one of the traditional decorating symbols of the Southwest: Luminarias or Farolitos.

Photo by Howard Holley - www.goldenhourphotography.com

A string of the modern version of the Luminaria was one of the first decorations we used to spice up our Southwest Christmas. New Mexico simply "glows" during this season; every curb, roadway and roof will be lined with these small simulated fires. You will see little rivers of light, "Rios de Luces". The modern electric version of the LUMINARIA or FAROLITO creates a rich, picturesque warm glow to homes and buildings all over the southwest.

As you can see by the photos above, (click on any photo to enlarge) LUMINARIAS create a unique and beautiful home highlight, while welcoming family and friends. Your home can be warm and inviting, with a one of a kind "Southwestern" flavor, by decorating this year with luminarias (farolitos). We carry one of the best quality sets available in the country at SantaFeDecor.com.

Besides their unique beauty, one of the reasons we chose luminarias was the history behind these “little lanterns” or “street lamps”. It’s a wonderful story to share with your friends!

In the Southwest, the terms “LUMINARIAS and FAROLITOS” have come to be used almost interchangeably. For example, in Santa Fe the little lanterns are called FAROLITOS, while people in Albuquerque tend to call them LUMINARIAS.

So which are which?

In the 1800’s luminarias were small bonfires built along the roadside to commemorate Christ’s birth. They were used to guide people to Midnight Mass on the final night of LAS POSADAS, “lodging or inn”.

Later people used farolitos, small paper bags with sand in the bottom and a small candle inside to light the bag. This was a substitute for the more dangerous bonfires. Children in the southwest, reenacting the night of Las Posadas often carried the farolitos in their hands. Today they are used to line walkways, driveways and roof tops.

The night of Las Posadas is a festive celebration first introduced to the Mexican Indians by European missionaries reenacting the story of Joseph and Mary’s search for lodging in Bethlehem in a series of NOVENA, “nine days”, beginning December 16^th.

Each night a group of carolers would go from house to house, carrying small lanterns made of a paper bag with a lit candle inside (farolitos). The carolers would sing a song pleading for food and shelter. Some homes would turn them away, but others would invite them in and offer food – posole, red and green chili stews, Christmas Eve tamales, biscoshitos, etc.

The tradition of luminarias and farolitos originated in Mexico, then celebrated in New Mexico for many years before spreading across the United States, Canada and Europe.

Here’s an interesting variation on luminarias we came across. Luminarias or luminaries are linked throughout history to the ancient tradition of communicating, warning and celebrating through linked bonfires. For example, in the 19^th century, German and French settlers who migrated to Louisiana, lit hundreds of bonfires along the Mississippi river. Not only did the lights symbolically guide Joseph and Mary, they were also meant to guide the Acadian version of Santa Clause, Pa Pa Noel. These lights enabled Pa Pa Noel to navigate through the thick river fog to bring presents to the children.

We can all celebrate a warm and inviting Christmas this year with a "Rio de Luces" (River of Lights)! Linda and I will be decorating our home and driveway this Christmas season with the more convenient electric version of the “Luminarias.” We’ll share photos of the results with you in our newsletter in December or January.

Here in the southwest, many of our homes have flat roofs. We place the luminarias along the outlines of our roofs. We also use them to light driveways, walkways and to outline different sections of our yards. Across the country you will see them used much the way that traditional outdoor lights are used. Just connect them in series and show off the sections of your lawn, sidewalks and driveways in traditional Southwest flare.

If you are interested in decorating your home "Southwest Style" this Holiday Season, click the link below to order your own Southwest Christmas Luminarias. We also have Chile Ristra Lights and strings of Chile Lights available to spice up your home for the season.

We hope you have a very Merry Southwest Christmas season.

Linda and Wayne Story