Christmas Decoration: Recycled Nativity Scene and 3 Kings

This Christmas decoration project will create three kings laden with shiny gifts, along with a nativity scene with Joseph, Mary and Jesus. You can also add animals and angels if you like.

Begin your Christmas decoration by gathering together some construction paper, recycled wrapping paper, recycled Christmas cards, recycled bows and old Christmas tree decorations such as broken strings of beads or old yet small ornaments you no longer use. Get creative and see what recycled Christmas items you can find. It's okay if the paper is crumpled or messed up. You'll be folding it in such a way that it won't matter.

Cut out three bodies for your three kings Christmas decoration, and also cut out the bodies of the characters from the nativity scene. Draw their faces in a stylized manner, and try giving one of them a dark face, and color one in a medium tone and the third one in a light tone. This provides the impression that your they come from different countries.

Take the scraps of Christmas wrapping paper or cards and fold it over the three kings' bodies so that it looks like elaborate royal robes. Fold and change patterns wherever necessary. Then give each one a colorful turban made of Christmas wrapping paper or Christmas cards. You can give them pantaloons made out of shiny material (see picture) or give them skirts with interesting patterns. Lay strings of shiny beads over the top of their "clothing" to serve as jewelry.

Then make tiny "presents" out of the wrapping paper, and the little recycled Christmas decorations. Decorate with small bows or pieces of ribbon. Be careful not to use anything too big for this project, or it will dwarf your characters. Try making little jeweled goblets and other precious gifts out of paper.

Create a north star out of wrapping paper.

Make the nativity scene out of construction paper, old paper grocery bags, and bits of straw or hay. If you like, you can also create a manger out of a cardboard box. Experiment with the size of the cardboard box; use a larger box if you would like the kings to be inside the nativity scene, but keep it shallow. You can work the nativity scene in with the splendor of the three kings decoration by placing some gifts around baby Jesus, and creating a halo for him and the virgin Mary out of sparkling gold paper or tinted aluminum foil. Also try adding a sparkly angel to your scene to add some luster.

When the Christmas decoration is complete, hang it above the mantelpiece on the wall, and set the manger on the mantel beside it. You can also set both of these decorations down under the tree. If you choose to put it on the wall or over the mantel, try putting some garland around the decoration with Christmas lights.

If you love this Christmas craft project, tell your friends about it!