Add this nativity to your Christmas decor this holiday season. Just grab this free printable and pair with a candle for beautiful ambiance celebrating the true reason for the season- the birth of Jesus!
I love this sweet printable lantern and the picture really doesn't do it justice. It is so sweet and beautiful at night in person. You might also love these free printable Santa Sleigh and reindeer luminaries or this free printable Christmas village luminaries.
When I ran across this beautiful vintage nativity image, I knew it would make the perfect lantern. I just love the tender way it depicts Mary caring for and loving her baby.
Supplies
- download and Print the Nativity lantern (linked below)
- votive candles or battery operated votives (these are my favorite, but battery operated would be safer- never leave a flame unattended)
- tape (I use this one)
Step One: Download and Print Nativity Lantern
I had my free printable nativity luminary color-printed onto plain white 11x17 paper at a local copy place for just 30 cents or so. You could certainly use thicker paper if you want to, but it won’t be as translucent and glow-y as the thinner paper. The cheaper the paper here, the better.
Free printable Nativity files:
Download or print the nativity here. The options to print or download are in the upper righthand corner after you click on that link.
Step Three: Tape Together Nativity Lantern
Add 3 pieces of tape along one side of the paper and rolled the paper back around on itself to form a circular tube. Secure one end to the other. I overlapped the sides just slightly, maybe 1/2″ (just enough to cover the words printed on the edge), which made the tube more structurally sound. I linked the tape I like to use up above (it is less noticeable than other tapes) but really, any clear tape will do.
Step Four: Add A Light Source
I used real candles for mine, but if you are going to be using it for any length of time, or unsupervised, I would suggest using battery operated candles or fairy lights instead.
And that's it! I hope your family loves them too!
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