How to Decorate a Christmas Nativity Scene at Home

Decorate your Nativity scene to help it look more realistic.

If you have a the basics of a Nativity scene, there are a few things you can do to decorate and make it look more interesting. Whether your Nativity scene is one that is the size of a shoe box or life size, some extra effects will make it look more like a real scene from the past.

Things You'll Need

• Paint
• Tan paper twist
• Glue
• Hay
• Cardboard
• Gold leaf paper
• Sticks or wood

Instructions

1. Cover the stable with tan paper twist, available at craft stores. Untwist the paper to flatten it out and glue it onto the stable. The tan twist paper will make the stable look more like wood. Alternatively, paint the stable tan or brown. You can also paint the stable using both tan and brown to create a two-toned look common with wood. Paint the stable tan and then paint over random areas with the brown paint. After painting, lightly run a dry brush across the wet paint to make it look like wood grain.

2. Spread hay on the floor inside the stable. If possible, glue it down. You can also glue hay on the manger where Jesus will lie and some on the roof to make it look like a thatched roof. If there is a trough, put some hay inside it as well. Outside of the stable, lay down some green moss to represent the outdoor area.

3. Arrange your nativity pieces. Typically, Jesus is in the manger, Mary sits at his side, Joseph stands at his other side, the Wise Men and shepherds stand, kneel or bow in front of him and the angel is watching from the side. The animals are placed sporadically around to make it look like a stable. If there are camels, the camels are near the Wise Men.

4. Add other elements, such as a gold-colored star made from cardboard, or a cardboard star covered in gold leaf paper. Hang the star above the nativity scene or secure it to a stick and tape the stick behind the stable so it looks like it is shining from above. You can also make a ladder out of sticks or wood and prop it up next to one of the walls of the stable to make it look like there is a loft. Paint a dark, bluish-gray backdrop to make it look like night. Add some stars and a moon as well to the backdrop.

Resources

• Disney's Family Fun: Away in a Manager -- The Stable