How to Make a Lighted Hanging Manger Scene

When it comes to Christmas decorations a lighted hanging Christmas scene is much more impressive than the traditional garland and wreaths. If you have a foyer it's the perfect place for the hanging scene but they can actually be hung anywhere - even outside. Any size balloon will work, depending upon how large you want the scene to be, but a fairly large balloon works best.

Blow up the balloon and tie it. Begin wrapping the balloon in string or thread, using glue stick or spray adhesive to hold the string in place. This is a craft where you'll have to do a little, allow it to dry, do a little more, and so on. Try to keep a vertical slant on the string rather than wrapping it both vertically and horizontally. Continue doing so until you can barely see the balloon any more.

After the glue is dry in all areas use a needle to puncture the balloon. You now have a large, empty ball of string. Draw around a round or oval object to make a pattern, for the opening, on one side of the balloon. Cut out the opening and remove the burst balloon. The opening should be large enough to see well into the balloon. Discard balloon and thread section that was removed after cutting. Spray paint the string if desired.

If the balloon left you with an egg-shaped design use the largest part of the egg shape as the bottom. Because of the curve to the bottom of the design it's nearly impossible to get decorative items to stand upright. Cut a circular piece of cardboard to set inside, to use for the bottom. Paint the cardboard white on the top side and the color of the thread on the bottom side. Push the cardboard down until it is secure in the bottom.

Begin arranging the items to make the scene. If it's a manger scene set up the manger, animals, wise men and other figurines glued to the cardboard bottom. For an outside snow scene arrange park benches, pine trees, horse and buggy and other novelties. After the bottom items are arranged glue down cotton pieces, white satin, or white velvet as the ground. For a manger scene glue down pieces of hay to form the floor of the stable. Be sure all cardboard is completely covered.