Creative Crafting: Decorate a Manger

Earlier this month we held a class to decorate a Christmas manger using a variety of 'once loved' mangers that had perhaps been tucked away in the attic a bit too long. With a variety of fragrant herbs and spices, we decorated the mangers to give them a fresh look.

Cinnamon sticks, Star Anise, Rose hips, Rosemary, of course, little orange peel pieces, safflower, bay leaves, fragrant oregano, thyme and lavender and just a few pistachio shells and acorn caps for added interest and texture.

Sheet Moss or Sphagnum moss provided a great base layer for this project. We used it on top and inside the mangers. We also used some dried grass as a "filler". 

Working on plastic we simply buttered applied tacky glue with popsicle sticks and added the big parts of sheet moss and the grasses. Then on top of that layer we added more tacky glue and the fragrant herbs. Most people put the herbs on in patches here and there along the top of the manger and inside. But one woman mixed her herbs all together in a large bowl and put the mixture all across the top.
Either way they turned out lovely.

Orange safflower was used to highlight the baby.

 Notice the mossy patch work roof and Cinnamon Stick posts with Star Anise at the top.  The herbs and spices will be very fragrant for years to come. 

We wish you tidings of great joy this holiday season!