Want to create a unique southwestern “feel” to your home this Christmas holiday? Each of us have Christmas Holiday traditions; religious, cultural and family “pass-downs” that we enjoy every year. You can “spice up” your Christmas season with a traditional Southwestern flavor. New Mexico simply “glows” during this season; every curb, roadway or roof there will be a line of small fires. You will see little rivers of light, “rios de luces”. LUMINARIAS and FAROLITOS create a rich, picturesque warm glow to nearly every building in the area.
FAROLITOS create a unique and beautiful home highlight, while welcoming family and friends. First, let us share little bit of the history behind these FAROLITOS, “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? What "IS" the real name?
In the 1800’s luminarias were small bonfires built along the roadside to commemorate Christ’s birth and to guide people to Midnight Mass, the final night of LAS POSADAS, “lodging or inn”. Farolitos are small bags with sand in the bottom and a small candle inside. Children reenacting the night of Las Posadas often carry farolitos. In modern times they are used to line walkways, roadsides 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 16th.
Each night a group of carolers will 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 comes from Mexico, 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 19th 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.
Let's all celebrate a warm and inviting Christmas this year with "rio de luces"!
You can view pictures and order electric luminarias here:
Southwest Farolitos SW Home Decor
SantaFeDecor.com WesternCowboyHorseDecor.com 
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