The nativity and the birth of Jesus Christ are the fundamental part of Christmas. It’s the story of Mary and Joseph travelling to Bethlehem to be counted for the census. Poor Mary was heavily pregnant and had to ride on a donkey. When they got to Bethlehem all the inns were full, and Mary and Joseph spent the night in a stable, where Mary gave birth to Jesus, the Son of God. Angels, shepherds and three wise men from the east came to visit Jesus, who was lying in a manger. This is the traditional image we have of the nativity scene.

To make a cardboard nativity scene all you need is…
Loo roll tubes or other tubes, scarps of paper and coloured card, glue, scissors, felt tip pens, cotton wool, and a few sequins for decoration.

To make the figures…
The loo roll tubes for the main body of the figure. Wrap coloured paper around your tube so that it completely covers one half of the tube. This becomes the body and the bare tube becomes the figure’s head.

Cut out two small rectangles from some card, these become the arms. Stick them into place n the figure’s body, towards the top of the coloured paper. Stick a ‘D’ shaped piece of flesh coloured card on the end of the arm to form a hand.

Draw on the figure’s face with felt tip pens. You can also draw on clothing details or patterns.

Extras…
The shepherd holds a crook, its a hooked tool which shepherds use to put around a sheep’s neck as a sort of temporary lead to guide the sheep where the shepherd wants it to go. Cut a long hooked shape tool from card and stick it standing upright in the shepherds hand as though he was holding it.

The three wise men wear crowns or a turban. Cut these out of coloured paper and wrap them around the top of the wise men’s heads. Decorate them with sequins to make them look jewel encrusted.

Joseph holds a lantern. Cut a long stick with a ‘V’ shape at the top. Stick this into Joseph’s hand so that it is standing upright. This pole is to suspend the lantern from.

To make the lantern, take a small, rectangle piece of card and fold it in half so that the top and bottom of the lantern are together. Cut slits along the folded edge. Open up the card and now curve it round so that the two side edges meet and slightly overlap stick these two side edges together. When the glue has dried off a little, give the lantern a little squeeze so that the lantern forms ‘< >’ Shape. Insert a roll of flame coloured paper into the lantern, glue and trim so that it fits snugly into place. This makes the lantern glow as though it were lit. Stick on some threat or a thin strip of card so that the lantern can be hung from Joseph’s pole.

Sheep are made by covering a loo roll tube in cotton wool. Cut out a face shape from card to stick on one end of the tube. Cotton buds form the sheep’s legs and feet. Cut a cotton bud in half to form two legs, glue all the legs into position.

Jesus is made from a rolled up piece of card, with coloured paper covering his body.

The manger is made from a loo roll tube. Cut the tube in half lengthways to form two guttering looking parts. Cut one into leg type shapes on each side and stick the two half tubes together, back to back.

Arrange all the figures on a table to recreate the nativity scene.

You could also attach a thread from your figures and hang them from

See nativity images at http://www.santaspostbag.co.uk/how-to-make-cardboard-nativity-scene.html Christmas makes and fun stuff at http://www.santaspostbag.co.uk/ you can also write Santa a letter telling him what you would like for Christmas, he always replies http://www.santaspostbag.co.uk/write-letter-to-santa.html

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If you really want to bring people into the Christmas spirit when they come to your home during the holidays, here are several Christmas door decorating ideas that can be an excellent first step. Your entrance way is the first thing that people see when they come to your home so it might be the most important part of your Christmas decorating.

One of the interesting Christmas door decorating ideas that some people have tried is to make your front door look like it is a giant wrapped present. In order to do this, wrap the door up to the edge and fold the paper back under itself rather than wrapping around the edge. Use pieces of double stick tape to stick the paper onto your front door. You can use the same trick to put on large pieces of ribbon and then leave a big bow in the center. You may want to test the tape on your door to be sure it does not bother the paint.

For a twist on this idea, make a matching smaller door out of cardboard for the elves to use. Cover the cardboard with the same color that you covered your real door. Add a small wreath or ribbon to match your real door. Set it next to your real door and post a little note that says “Elves enter here!”

If you would like to try something different and you have someone artistic in your family, you can cover your door with Bristol board that shows a scene of what it looks like inside. When people walk up to the door, it will look like the door is already open and they will be greeted with a festive scene. You can make it look just like the front hall of your home only you can add Santa, some elves or whatever your imagination can come up with. If you use Bristol board instead of paper it is something that you could use again next Christmas.

There is nothing quite as traditional and charming as a beautiful wreath on your front door. That idea never goes out of style. Go to your craft store or browse a magazine for an idea that you enjoy. Whether you make it yourself or purchase a ready-made wreath, you can have a lot of fun. Invite a friend or neighbor to make a wreath with you. Instructions for making Christmas wreaths can be found online in blogs, forums and videos.

Those evergreen wreaths that you purchase at the craft store need to be “fluffed up” each year. Take a little time to perk up the evergreen sprigs. Add a beautiful bow for a simple but stunning wreath. Or decorate the entire wreath with ornaments or natural materials like berries, pine cones and grasses. Place the largest items on the wreath first and then fill in with the smaller items. You can use a hot glue gun or the wires on the wreath – wrapping each item very snugly.

Some other fun Christmas door decorating ideas include taking things from inside and using them outside. If you have extra stockings that you do not use any more, you can hang them from the door for something different than the traditional wreath. The same goes for old Christmas tree decorations or collections of bows from old Christmas presents.

Whenever it is that you choose for Christmas door decorating ideas this holiday season remember to have lighting on your porch. Extra lighting gives your porch a festive look and also makes it a little safer for guests. Enjoy the holidays without adding extra stress to your schedule. If you enjoy making decorations for your home and have set aside time to do that, then have a ball! Purchasing a beautiful wreath or other ornament for your door is fantastic as well. Enjoy the season!

Mary Morris is a self-proclaimed porch lover and grandma to 7 awesome grand kids. Mary is one of the co-founders of http://www.front-porch-ideas-and-more.com/, a site about everything related to front porches and more.

Check her website often for fantastic seasonal and holiday porch decorating ideas at http://www.front-porch-ideas-and-more.com/porch-decorating.html. Life is short. Enjoy your porch!

Easily the best way to find Party Games and Ideas is to obtain a copy of the free “Gifts For Kids” Guide which describes with illustrations hundreds of specially selected gift ideas including party games.

Find the best party games, themes and decorations. See more at:

Best Party Games and Ideas