Cheap Christmas Show Costumes

Christmas pageants are always guaranteed to be the source of both sentimental moments and jolly laughter all at once. From little children dressed up like barnyard critters to older children pretending to be shepherds, Christmas pageants have traditionally been a way for churches to join together all of their children and youth members to retell the "Greatest Story Ever Told." However, for many churches and schools this Christmas season, the budget will be tighter due to the current economic situation. For any church that has found itself in this bind this year, here is a list of ways to cut down on the cost of costumes and props for your Christmas show.

1) Easy sheep costumes can be created and provided by each parent. Simply ask parents of your "sheep" to dress their children in an all white sweat-suit. For variations to this simple costume, have some children wear black mitten and socks to have sheep with black hoofs. Rolling up the white sweat pants and wearing black tights underneath them can also keep the costume looking unique. Using face paint, complete the costumes by painting on a little black nose onto each child. Easy ears can be created using head band with white felt half circles hot glued on; to keep the felt standing up, simply sandwich a layer of strong cardboard between two layers of the felt and then glue to the headband.

2) The "traditional" simple shepherd costumes probably still look best when squeezing your budget for Christmas costumes. Just ask all members of your congregation who own bathrobes (that aren't covered in random patterns of kittens and bunnies) to lend them to their children for the show. Hand towels with ropes tide around them will always do the trick for shepherd's headpieces. Staffs can easily be fashioned out of long sticks picked up outdoors; just make sure to break off any particularly dangerously sharp edges or branches.

3) For the wise men's gift boxes, simply use gold spray paint to cover any empty unique looking packages you may have around the house. Shampoo bottles can provide great bases for these. Glue on cheap plastic decorator "jewels," found in the craft sections of most stores.

4) Ask the parents of your angels to dress them up themselves, preferably in simple white dresses. Provide basic halos made out of cut and taped gold Christmas tree garlands. A little bit of sparkly make-up will make your angels also feel extra special for the show.