Bookshelf DIY Nativity Scene

This DIY nativity scene will literally leave you speechless. At least it did me!!

OK, I might have said “WOW” a few times…the scale and detail of this thing is enormous! Even more amazing? It’s made with simple household items and a bookshelf.

If you look closer, you’ll see the traditional nativity scene front and center at the bottom near the Christmas tree, rising into a Christmas village in the mountains. The whole thing is actually bigger than the Christmas tree!

My friend’s mom crafted this DIY nativity scene, and generously shared the how-to so you can recreate this in your own home.

This would be an awesome Christmas tradition to start with your family — you could collect new pieces and add to it each year!

Supplies needed for this DIY Nativity Scene

• Bookshelf
• Cardboard boxes
• Brown craft paper or paper shopping bags
• Gray paint (using a couple different shades will create a more realistic effect)
• White string lights
• Baby powder
• Nativity figurines

How to create a breathtaking DIY Nativity Scene with a bookshelf

1. Pick a corner of your house with a bookshelf.
2. Stack boxes cardboard boxes (can be varying sizes: shoe boxes, shipping boxes, etc.) to form a sort of  staircase in front of the bookshelf.
3. Arrange spare fabric/old clothes on the boxes to soften some places.
4. Take very thin brown paper (you can purchase by the roll, or use old paper shopping bags) and splatter paint different neutral tones to create the appearance of rock.
5. When paint is fully dry, use your hands to wrinkle up the paper and begin covering the boxes. (TIP: Start by attaching the paper to the top of the bookshelf and working your way down. This Nativity Scene actually covers the front and back of the bookshelf). Attach paper sheets to each other using clothing pins. This will take a lot of paper to cover all of the boxes; the exact amount depends upon the size of your nativity scene. As you work your way down, push paper to form indentions, caves, and varying terrain.
6. Run white string lights along the edges of the paper and where the sheets of paper meet to hide any seams or gaps.
7. Add figurines, scenery.
8. Sprinkle baby powder on the paper and around your figurines to create the effect of snow.

Photos and tutorial courtesy of Jonika Tannous and family.

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More Christmas crafts and activities:

• Deliciously Fragrant Orange Pomander Ornaments
• Mini Gingerbread House Cakes
• Candy Cane Ice Skate Ornaments
• Upcycled Wrapping Paper with Cupcake Liners

You might also like: 25 DIY Nativity Scenes on Babble

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