While I was living in Arizona for a few years, I was introduced to a lovely Hispanic Christmas tradition – Luminarias. Rows of simple, brown paper bags are illuminated by small candles, and weighted down with sand (or gravel, small stones, marbles, popcorn, cat litter . . . almost anything that will add some weight and keep the bag from being picked up by the wind will do).
via Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Decorating: Luminarias | Not Your Average Sweater: The Blog.
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PS I use white bleached kraft bags but they are now politically incorrect but I bought 50,000 before bleached paper was an issue.
See also how to make tin can luminaries.