In Tolland, Connecticut, friends and neighbors usher in December with an annual luminaria walk. Early in the afternoon, designated captains, one to each street, pass out paper bags, votive candles, and sand so each family can assemble its own luminarias, then the streets are lined with these simple, twinkling decorations. Every block has a "station," usually an open garage equipped with a space heater and a table of hot drinks and munchies. At dusk, families start their stroll through the streets to take in the brilliant display, stopping at stations along the way to warm up on good food and conversation. "It's a great way to see everyone's holiday decorations and just say hi," observes resident Liz Amend.