Handmade nativity scene - interesting workshops and beautiful photo ideas

Cave: mandatory elements

This is quite a complex, meaning-filled composition. It refers to the biblical story of the birth of the child Jesus. The newborn baby Jesus, the Virgin Mary and her husband Joseph are obligatory participants of the composition. In Russia an icon with a corresponding scene is often placed in place of their figures.

In addition to the main characters in the nativity scene there may be:

• Magi and shepherds, who were the first to learn of the birth of Jesus and who came to worship him;
• Animals - sheep, donkeys, cows, horses. It takes place in a stable or cave.
• angels.

The obligatory element is the star of Bethlehem, which announced to the world the birth of Jesus Christ.

A nativity scene is a highly professional work of art. However, simple versions of the crafts can be made at home, literally from what is at hand. We will tell you about a few ideas that you can repeat together with the kids.

What to make a cave from

The basis of the composition is a cave. It is usually depicted as an open on one side of an enclosed space.

What can it be made of:

• An empty shoebox;
• A beautifully draped cloth;
• clay
• plastic;
• spruce branches set up in the form of a hut;
• a basket turned upside down.

You can also glue a base of paper, set a wooden fence. A variation is to make the backdrop of the nativity scene from cubes or constructor and drape it with fabric.

Master Class in 6 Steps

For example, let's take a shoe box. In addition to it we will need:

• colored paper (brown, gray);
• sea pebbles;
• scissors;
• glue;
• lentils or beans;
• hay.

1. Cut out one of the long sides of the box.
2. Crumple a few sheets of brown paper and paste inside the box without smoothing it out. You get uneven stone walls.
3. On the back wall at the top we first draw and then cut out the star. When the nativity scene is ready and in place, it can be illuminated by placing a burning candle at the back.
4. On the inside and outside walls of the box we glue pebbles, on the top - often, on the side walls inside - less often.
5. Cover the floor of the cave with glue and fill it with lentils or beans - you will get a structure of stones.
6. On the floor we throw a handful of hay, small dried flowers and a few more pebbles.

If you like, you can decorate the roof and the front edges of the box with spruce sprigs, decorate them with garland and tinsel.

Often the top of the nativity scene is covered with dark blue paper or cloth to create a night sky. The star can be cut from gold foil - this material looks beautiful in the light of the garland lights.

Give special attention to decorating the nativity scene. You can put flowers in pots in front of it. Do not forget the gifts of the Magi. Do not try to follow the biblical text, the main thing is that the offerings look rich. For example, you can use pearl beads, other costume jewelry.

"Winter" in a crèche

It is a Russian tradition to make winter crèches. Let the snow lying all over the place does not correspond to the letter of the Gospel, but it looks beautiful and for us realistic.

Snow and snow drifts can be made of:

• absorbent cotton;
• salt;
• sugar.

It's easy. To create "snow" on a spruce branch, it should be smeared with glue, sprinkled liberally with salt, add some glitter and wait until it dries.

Figurines: what to make

The main actors are the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus in her arms and Joseph. Without them the crèche can not do without.

The easiest thing to do is to put an icon or card depicting Christmas in the middle of the composition. This is a win-win, such crafts always look elegant and touching, though a little strict.

Warn the children! Figurines in a creche can not be played with, they require a respectful attitude.

What you can make figurines with your own hands:

• paper. This is the most popular technique, despite the fact that it requires a certain knowledge of the art of drawing;
• cardboard;
• plasticine;
• clay;
• salt dough. These three options will require the ability to sculpt;
• cloth;
• household garbage (plastic bottles).

Also figures as a whole or their individual elements are embroidered, knitted, performed in the technique of origami. On the Internet there are pictures of these works of art.

Some tips on working with different materials

Paper. Figures of paper can be drawn, cut out and glued standing to the base. Sometimes the silhouette technique is used. Such figures are cut out of white paper are not colored. Another option is to make the bodies in the form of paper cones, they will be quite stable.

Dough, clay. If you use dough or clay, the figures should be made, burned for durability, and then painted. Sometimes they are left unpainted, and the crèche turns out very unusual, one can say - minimalistic.

Plasticine. Working with plasticine, pay special attention to the head of the baby. His body can be carefully not molded - it will still be covered in the cradle with a blanket, and the head should look decent. To get curls, you need to take a stack, a piece of hard plasticine and draw the sharp end along the length of the bar with equal pressure. You will have a swirling strip. You can use beads or beads for the eyes, especially if you are not sure of your artistic talents.

Fabric. Flat fabric figures will require a cardboard base so they can be set up. But you can not put the figures on the floor of the crèche, but hang them on long ribbons from the ceiling.

It is better to take ready-made figures of animals, just toys. In fact, their set can be anything, although sheep are still desirable. But you can take horses, cows. Some set even elephants - whoever has what.

Making a nativity scene is a creative and responsible job. If it turns out well, the handicraft will serve you for several years. You can display it on Christmas Eve, and then put it away until the next time. Bringing together with your child in a craft with new details, you can refresh it and make it more interesting time and time again.

Photo ideas of Christmas-themed crafts