Some people string white or clear lights vertically on a saguaro cactus and some prefer the more casual festive look of colored lights wrapped loosely  around the big cactus. The same with the ocotillo, brightly colored lights ( or clear ones) wrapped loosely around the sprawling vertical twigs are very beautiful on a December night. Even the lowly prickley pear cactus does not escape our decorating enthusiasm.

Luminarias are also called Farolitos in Santa Fe and other parts of New Mexico.

Luminarias ( farolitos) are very popular in Arizona, New Mexico, parts of Texas and Southern California, lighting the way to a festive time or just offering a warm welcoming glow to light the doorways, driveways and paths. They are made of a brown paper bag partially filled with sand and a candle placed in the sand giving off a soft warm light.    Luminarias (farolitos) have long been a tradition in the American Southwest. The tradition derives from an earlier custom of Native Americans lighting bonfires in front of each house in a pueblo in celebration of Christmas. Even though the traditional "candle in a paper bag" is  sometimes replaced by "electric" luminarias, the tradition continues. It is common to see whole neighborhoods decorated with luminarias,   

Chili peppers are a staple of the Southwest culture and used abundantly in decorating and Christmas is no exception. Dried red chili peppers are used to make "ristras" using lots of chilis strung together in hanging at different lengths and tied at the top with a bright holiday ribbon.

Chilis are used to make a Christmas wreath either with greenery or entirely with chilis.  These too have been often replaced with the electric lights.