Ice Luminary

I don’t always make them at the same time each year. It really depends on the weather. In weather like this, it only takes a few hours to make luminaries. The best part about ice luminaries is that each one turns out a little different. Many people like to add pine branches or berries to dress up their luminaries, but I prefer just the clear ice alone. The ice is so beautiful just by itself. Why mess with it?

The shape of your luminary is up to you. I prefer to make shorter, wider luminaries that give candles plenty room to breathe. Most of the luminaries I make are wide enough to fit a three-wick candle. The candle often starts out sticking out of the top of the luminary but once it’s lit it will eventually burn down to where the light will be seen through the ice. I think it’s pretty either way. It’s really more a matter of personal preference. They’re so inexpensive to make, it’s fun to just experiment. I hope you enjoy this simple step-by-step tutorial. If you’ve never attempted making an ice luminary before, I hope this inspires you to create one!

Materials Needed:

• Larger plastic container
• Smaller/Narrower plastic container
• Rocks
• Candle
• Water

When the ice is frozen solid, take the containers back inside and remove the rocks from the smaller container. Fill the smaller container with hot water and let it sit for a couple minutes until the container releases easily from the ice.

At this point I take a look and decide how deep I want my candle to sit inside of the luminary. Most of the time I fill the hole with a bit more water so my candle will have a base that sits up a bit higher. After I add a bit more water, I set it back outside on the deck for a few more hours to freeze.

Once the water has frozen solid again, start running warm water around the sides of the large container until the ice easily releases from the container.

 

 I normally line my sidewalk with the luminaries and put a couple on my doorstep for our annual New Year’s Eve party. It’s such a beautiful and warm welcome to friends and family as well as a simple and fresh start to the new year.