How-to: Make Halloween luminaries from empty CD cases
Learn how to make this cute Halloween decoration. Photo by Neal Patten.
By CG Lifestyles & People Editor Neal Patten
Halloween is so close it’s scary and I have been asked by several people, “how did you decorate your house for trick-or-treaters?” The answer to that question being, “not at all – I am too broke for that!”
On second thought, however, I realized there are low-cost alternatives to buying new décor. There are many items around your house begging to be repurposed into ghoulish delights.
When digital music formats overtook physical, many people were quick to import their disc-based albums onto their computers and subsequently abandon the CDs forever. For me, this has left a pile of “useless” disc cases floating around my room for years. Besides for the random mixed tape I have made for friends and needed a container for, these plastic shells have done little other than occupy space. Even so, I haven’t had the heart to toss them into the trash.
I transformed two empty CD cases into a spooky cool luminary. I had half of the supplies already on hand and the extra supplies only cost around $5. The assembly process took ten minutes and the result was boo-tiful!
Let me show you how to make your own:
1. Gather supplies
You will need the following: construction paper, scissors, two CD cases with clear covers, metallic permanent markers, glue sticks or craft glue, and tea lights. Photo by Neal Patten.
2. Practice drawing
On your construction paper, practice designs. You can do anything – a witch on her broomstick, a cauldron, ghosts, a pumpkin – anything in keeping with the holiday! Photo by Neal Patten.
3. Transfer your design
Once you feel satisfied with a design, carefully draw it onto the clear cover of one CD case. Photo by Neal Patten.
4. Create a silhouette
Think of a design that would look good as a silhouette. A creepy tree or a jack-o’-lantern are two fun ideas. Draw it onto the construction paper and cut it out. Then, glue the silhouette(s) onto the clear cover of your other CD case. Photo by Neal Patten.
“How’s it going, Jack?” Photo by Neal Patten.
4. Prop
Now open each case to a 90-degree angle and prop it up. Make a cube from the cases. Set your candle or tea light in the center. Photo by Neal Patten.
These luminaries will look great on your porch to greet the imps and goblins who come knocking for goodies.
The fun of this project is its versatility. You can draw anything you want for one side, cut out any sort of silhouette for the other. Another option is to use paint (try glow paint!) or stickers. Think about designs that will play tricks with the light. If you use battery-operated tea lights you can make these as night lights for little siblings. You can also use all the same supplies to make a candle holder out of a mason jar.
Hands-on projects make holidays more fun, especially when they can be created on a pocket change budget.
Happy Halloween!
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