How to Decorate a Nativity Scene

The holidays are just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate Christmas than with a nativity scene? Setting up the scene itself isn’t too difficult, but if you want to add a little extra pizazz to your decor, you might be wondering how you can make it unique. Fortunately, there are tons of added decorations you can put into your nativity scene without distracting from the true meaning of Christmas.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Basic Setup

1. Pick a flat spot inside or outside to keep your scene level. Depending on how big your nativity scene is, you can set it up in your front lawn, on your kitchen table, or in your living room window. Decide where you’d like to set it up, then make sure you have a flat surface or level ground to work on.^[1]
   
   • If you do decide to set up your scene outside, make sure your figurines are weather-proof (plastic is the best bet during rain and snow), or spray on a weather-proofing sealant if they aren't.
   • If you’re setting up your scene near your Christmas tree, make sure you pull the tree skirt taut for a flat surface or put your scene on a small side table.
2. Create a barn-like atmosphere with hay and other rustic details. In the Bible, baby Jesus was born in a place where they hold animals. Usually, this signifies a barn or a shack of some sort, although it could also mean a cave. When you first set up your scene, make the main focus the barn in the center by using a small box or barn model for an inside scene, or creating a small wooden structure with hay in it for an outdoor one.^[2]
   
   • You can make your own nativity scene decorations, or you can buy a kit from most home goods stores, religious stores, or online.
   • If you want to go all out, you could even make a full outdoor landscape out of cardboard and green paint.^[3]
3. Position baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in the center of the scene. Traditionally, baby Jesus goes in a manger filled with hay (a rocking wooden basket). Mary goes near him, usually kneeling down to hold him, and Joseph stands above them both. These 3 figures should be the main focus of your nativity scene, and everything else should be in the background.^[4]
   
   • If your scene is inside, you can get or paint small figurines to represent these three. If you’re outdoors, you could cut silhouettes out of cardboard or wood and paint them yourself. Don’t forget to weatherproof them!
   • You could also have Mary holding the baby Jesus in her arms.
4. Group the shepherds to one side and the wisemen to the other. These figures are optional, but they can add more drama and realism to your scene. Put the shepherds on one side of the barn centerpiece and the wisemen on the other. Make sure they aren’t standing in front of Jesus, Mary, or Joseph to keep the focus on the right people.^[5]
   
   • Usually, the shepherds and wisemen are kept outside of the barn.
5. Sprinkle in a few barn animals for an added touch. While the Bible doesn’t specify which animals were present at the scene, it’s a safe bet to add a few sheep, donkeys, or mules. You can arrange these animals in the background of the scene to add more authenticity.^[6]
   
   • For indoor scenes, use small animal dolls. For outdoor ones, use cardboard or wooden cutouts, if they’re not already included.
   • The sheep can stay near the shepherds, and you could put a donkey or a camel near the wisemen since that’s probably what they rode in on.

[Edit]Extra Decorations

1. Add natural decoration with holly leaves. Mistletoe hanging in a doorway might bring back memories of Christmas parties, and holly leaves can help combine those memories with your nativity scene. Pick a few holly leaves that have ripe, red berries on them, then spread them out beneath your figurines or wooden cutouts.^[7]
   
   • The natural dark green and bright red of the holly leaves and their berries add a touch of classic Christmas whimsy to your nativity scene.
   • Holly trees are tall evergreen trees that usually have green, pointy leaves.
2. Hang a star over the nativity scene to represent the star of Bethlehem. The Bible says that the star of Bethlehem guided the wisemen into town when they were lost. If you want to add that feature to your scene, place a large star on top of the barn and light it up with white Christmas lights.^[8]
   
   • This is another good way to call attention to your nativity scene, especially if it’s outside.
   • Look for a star-shaped Christmas tree topper to use as the star of Bethlehem.
3. String lights around the nativity scene to draw attention to it. Christmas lights always add a touch of celebration to anything they’re on. If you want to draw eyes toward your scene, wrap a few strands of Christmas lights around the bottom of it (being careful not to knock over any figurines or cutouts). You can stick to white lights for a more natural look, or go for green, red, or blue for a classic Christmas tradition.^[9]
   
   • Try using the same lights you put on the rest of your home for a cohesive look.
   • You could also spread the lights out on top of the barn centerpiece if you have enough!
4. Add angel figures looking down from above for a unique look. Although not all nativity scenes include angels, they do fit in with the story of Jesus’s birth. If you have the room, place a few angels on the top of the barn or hang them from the ceiling with a length of fishing wire.^[10]
   
   • You may be able to find angel ornaments or optional nativity angels at a home goods store to use for this.
5. Put a wreath in the background to incorporate other Christmas decorations. If you love the red and green colors of Christmas but you don’t want to distract from your nativity scene, set a large wreath made of pine behind your scene and add a few small fairy lights to it. Then, hang small red and gold Christmas ornaments on it for a subtle pop of color to highlight your nativity scene.^[11]
   
   • You can also set up your nativity scene underneath or near your Christmas tree, if you have one.
   • If your scene is outdoors, try hanging a wreath on your home behind it.

[Edit]Tips

• Once you have the basics of your nativity scene down, you can get crafty and creative with the rest!

[Edit]References

1. ↑ https://outdoornativitystore.com/blog/ultimate-guide-setting-nativity-set/
2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jyn3by4dCAg&feature=youtu.be&t=50
3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kAZyWJtzpk&feature=youtu.be&t=450
4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jyn3by4dCAg&feature=youtu.be&t=60
5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLSOizrWcg4&feature=youtu.be&t=65
6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELrjoc5reyg&feature=youtu.be&t=122
7. ↑ https://www.shelterness.com/holly-berry-christmas-decor-ideas/
8. ↑ https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/12/christmas-nativity-scene-flaws/419634/
9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9l4xA5FZJI&feature=youtu.be&t=290
10. ↑ https://glencairnmuseum.org/nativity-traditions
11. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36otH00aS8M&feature=youtu.be&t=59