| How to Decorate a Nativity Scene Posted: 18 Dec 2020 04:00 PM PST The holidays are just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate Christmas than with a nativity scene? Setting up the scene itself isn't too difficult, but if you want to add a little extra pizazz to your decor, you might be wondering how you can make it unique. Fortunately, there are tons of added decorations you can put into your nativity scene without distracting from the true meaning of Christmas. [Edit]Basic Setup - Pick a flat spot inside or outside to keep your scene level. Depending on how big your nativity scene is, you can set it up in your front lawn, on your kitchen table, or in your living room window. Decide where you'd like to set it up, then make sure you have a flat surface or level ground to work on.[1]
- If you do decide to set up your scene outside, make sure your figurines are weather-proof (plastic is the best bet during rain and snow), or spray on a weather-proofing sealant if they aren't.
- If you're setting up your scene near your Christmas tree, make sure you pull the tree skirt taut for a flat surface or put your scene on a small side table.
- Create a barn-like atmosphere with hay and other rustic details. In the Bible, baby Jesus was born in a place where they hold animals. Usually, this signifies a barn or a shack of some sort, although it could also mean a cave. When you first set up your scene, make the main focus the barn in the center by using a small box or barn model for an inside scene, or creating a small wooden structure with hay in it for an outdoor one.[2]
- You can make your own nativity scene decorations, or you can buy a kit from most home goods stores, religious stores, or online.
- If you want to go all out, you could even make a full outdoor landscape out of cardboard and green paint.[3]
- Position baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in the center of the scene. Traditionally, baby Jesus goes in a manger filled with hay (a rocking wooden basket). Mary goes near him, usually kneeling down to hold him, and Joseph stands above them both. These 3 figures should be the main focus of your nativity scene, and everything else should be in the background.[4]
- If your scene is inside, you can get or paint small figurines to represent these three. If you're outdoors, you could cut silhouettes out of cardboard or wood and paint them yourself. Don't forget to weatherproof them!
- You could also have Mary holding the baby Jesus in her arms.
- Group the shepherds to one side and the wisemen to the other. These figures are optional, but they can add more drama and realism to your scene. Put the shepherds on one side of the barn centerpiece and the wisemen on the other. Make sure they aren't standing in front of Jesus, Mary, or Joseph to keep the focus on the right people.[5]
- Usually, the shepherds and wisemen are kept outside of the barn.
- Sprinkle in a few barn animals for an added touch. While the Bible doesn't specify which animals were present at the scene, it's a safe bet to add a few sheep, donkeys, or mules. You can arrange these animals in the background of the scene to add more authenticity.[6]
- For indoor scenes, use small animal dolls. For outdoor ones, use cardboard or wooden cutouts, if they're not already included.
- The sheep can stay near the shepherds, and you could put a donkey or a camel near the wisemen since that's probably what they rode in on.
- Add natural decoration with holly leaves. Mistletoe hanging in a doorway might bring back memories of Christmas parties, and holly leaves can help combine those memories with your nativity scene. Pick a few holly leaves that have ripe, red berries on them, then spread them out beneath your figurines or wooden cutouts.[7]
- The natural dark green and bright red of the holly leaves and their berries add a touch of classic Christmas whimsy to your nativity scene.
- Holly trees are tall evergreen trees that usually have green, pointy leaves.
- Hang a star over the nativity scene to represent the star of Bethlehem. The Bible says that the star of Bethlehem guided the wisemen into town when they were lost. If you want to add that feature to your scene, place a large star on top of the barn and light it up with white Christmas lights.[8]
- This is another good way to call attention to your nativity scene, especially if it's outside.
- Look for a star-shaped Christmas tree topper to use as the star of Bethlehem.
- String lights around the nativity scene to draw attention to it. Christmas lights always add a touch of celebration to anything they're on. If you want to draw eyes toward your scene, wrap a few strands of Christmas lights around the bottom of it (being careful not to knock over any figurines or cutouts). You can stick to white lights for a more natural look, or go for green, red, or blue for a classic Christmas tradition.[9]
- Try using the same lights you put on the rest of your home for a cohesive look.
- You could also spread the lights out on top of the barn centerpiece if you have enough!
- Add angel figures looking down from above for a unique look. Although not all nativity scenes include angels, they do fit in with the story of Jesus's birth. If you have the room, place a few angels on the top of the barn or hang them from the ceiling with a length of fishing wire.[10]
- You may be able to find angel ornaments or optional nativity angels at a home goods store to use for this.
- Put a wreath in the background to incorporate other Christmas decorations. If you love the red and green colors of Christmas but you don't want to distract from your nativity scene, set a large wreath made of pine behind your scene and add a few small fairy lights to it. Then, hang small red and gold Christmas ornaments on it for a subtle pop of color to highlight your nativity scene.[11]
- You can also set up your nativity scene underneath or near your Christmas tree, if you have one.
- If your scene is outdoors, try hanging a wreath on your home behind it.
- Once you have the basics of your nativity scene down, you can get crafty and creative with the rest!
[Edit]References |
| How to Sew an Infinity Dress Posted: 18 Dec 2020 08:00 AM PST If you're looking for a dress with a ton of styling options, the infinity dress is for you! It's basically a circle skirt with 2 long straps sewn to the waist. Although it might sound like a simple design, you can wrap the straps in dozens of ways to make unique looks. This makes the infinity or convertible dress perfect for capsule wardrobes, bridesmaids, or everyday wear. - Get at least of jersey knit fabric in any color or print. To make a tea-length dress that falls just above your ankles, buy of jersey knit fabric. Knit jersey is great since it's comfortable and doesn't fray, so you won't even need to hem it![1]
- Want to use cotton or non-jersey knit fabric? That's totally okay. Just plan on hemming every edge so the fabric doesn't fray when you wash the dress.
- If you're making a floor-length dress, you may need another of fabric, depending on how tall you are.
- Fold your fabric in half crosswise and smooth out the wrinkles. Spread out your fabric on a clean floor or worktable and trim off the selvage. That's the machine-finished edge of fabric that's not as soft as the rest of the fabric. Then, fold the fabric over so the short sides line up.[2]
- Fabric always has a selvage edge along the top or bottom. It usually shows the name of the fabric company or store and has care instructions for the fabric.
- If your fabric width is less than to begin with, you may need to fold your fabric lengthwise to get straps that are long enough.
- Cut 2 straps that are each . Use a straight ruler and fabric marker to make a straight line across your folded fabric from the short side. Remember that since your fabric is wide this makes each strap that you cut long. Then, take scissors or use a rotary cutter to cut along the straight line.[3]
- Don't toss the rest of the fabric! You'll use it to make the circle skirt portion of the infinity dress.
- If you'd like less coverage, make the straps narrower by a few inches. For more coverage across your chest, make the straps wider.
- Fold the fabric in half 4 times. Spread your fabric on a clean floor or very large workspace and fold it in half to line up the short edges. Fold the fabric in half one more time so the long edges line up. Smooth out the fabric so you can mark measurements.[4]
- If all this folding seems overwhelming, don't worry! You're just folding the fabric a couple of times so you can cut out the circle skirt. This saves you time sewing it later.
- Cut a quarter-circle from the folded corner of the fabric. Find the corner with the double folds and measure from the corner on 1 side. Since this fabric is stretchy, cutting a quarter-circle creates a basic waist. Use a fabric marker or pencil to mark the distance and repeat this for the other corner. Then, use scissors or a rotary cutter to cut a curved lined between these 2 points.[5]
- If you need a larger waist, feel free to cut a quarter-circle that's larger.
- For a neater curve, place a French curve ruler between the 2 marks and draw a light line.
- Mark the length of the skirt on the folded sides of your fabric. Now that you've made the waist, work on the bottom of the skirt. Take a measuring tape and measure from your waist down to where you want the skirt to fall. Then, mark this distance along 1 side of your folded fabric. Turn your ruler and mark the same length on the other folded side.[6]
- For example, the skirt may be long if you're making a tea-length dress that falls just above your ankles.
- Draw a curved line from the 2 marks and cut along the curve. To cut the curved bottom of your circle skirt, make a guideline. Use a fabric pencil or pen to draw a curved line that connects the 2 marks you made on the sides of the fabric. Remember, make the curved line parallel to the waist of your skirt. Then, use scissors or a rotary cutter to cut along this curved line.[7]
- To make a neat curve, tie a long piece of string to your fabric pencil and hold the tip of the pencil at 1 of the marks. Then, pull the string taut in the corner and swing the pencil along the curve to the other mark.
[Edit]Assembly - Line up a short edge of 1 strap with the waistline and pin half of it. You're only a few stitches away from your infinity dress! Turn the skirt inside out so the right sides of the fabric touch. Take 1 of the straps and place the edge of it on the waist. Then, line up the edge with the waistline and push sewing pins along half of the strap to keep it in place while you sew.[8]
- Lay the rest of the strap fabric onto the skirt instead of extending it away from the skirt. This way, the strap won't get caught in your machine when you sew.
- Pin the other strap to the waistline to overlap the other strap by . Now, line up the other strap's short edge on the waistline so an edge of the strap overlaps the other one by at least . If you want more coverage for your chest, overlap the straps by . Then, pin the edges of the straps to the waist.[9]
- At this point, you could try the dress on and carefully wrap the straps around your torso. Then, you can adjust how much they overlap until you're happy with the coverage.
- Sew the straps to the waist. Leave a seam allowance and sew the straps along the waist. Don't forget to take out the sewing pins as you work so you don't damage your machine.[10]
- Make sure that you're only sewing through 1 layer of fabric or you'll accidentally sew the waist closed!
- Hem across the back of the waist if you'd like to give the dress a finished look. Although the fabric won't fray, you can make your infinity dress look professional by finishing the exposed waist at the back. Fold the raw edge over by and sew a zigzag stitch along the edge.[11]
- The zigzag stitch stretches with the fabric so your stitches won't tear when you pull the dress on and off.
- Put on the dress and play around with different wrapping styles. Once you've finished sewing the straps to the waist, turn the dress right side out and choose a wrapping style. There are tons of ways to wear an infinity dress, so you're sure to find the right style for any occasion![12]
- Place each strap over your shoulder if you'd like to make short sleeves for the dress.
- Gather both of the straps together and bring them over just 1 shoulder for an off-the-shoulder Grecian style.
- Twist the straps as you cross them over your shoulder or back to make them look braided.
- If you'd like a little more coverage, sew a rectangular strip of fabric above the waist to create a tube top. You'll still add straps to the waistline, but the dress might be easier to wrap.[13]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Fabric measuring tape
- Ruler
- Fabric marker
- At least of jersey knit fabric
- Scissors
- Sewing pins or clips
- Sewing machine
- Rotary cutter and mat, optional
[Edit]References |
| How to Make Eggnog Posted: 18 Dec 2020 12:00 AM PST Nothing says "holiday spirit" like a glass of eggnog! It tastes like Christmas, and when you combine just a few simple ingredients, you have a treat the whole family can enjoy. Learn how to make easy eggnog for your family, a traditional batch large enough for a party, or a glass of iced eggnog to enjoy on your own. [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Simple Eggnog Makes 8 servings - 4 egg yolks
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk
- 1 cup (240 ml) cream
- ½ cups (120 ml) white sugar
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) cinnamon
- ¾ cup (180 ml) rum or brandy
[Edit]Traditional Eggnog Makes 24 servings - 12 large eggs
- 4½ cups (1 L) milk
- 1½ pints (710 ml) heavy whipping cream
- 1½ cups (360 ml) sugar
- Ground nutmeg, to taste
- 3 cups (710 ml) bourbon, brandy, or dark rum
[Edit]Light Iced Eggnog Makes 2 servings - 1 to 2 cups (240 to 480 ml) ice cubes
- 2 small eggs
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) cinnamon
- ¼ cup (60 ml) agave nectar
- 1½ cups (360 ml) almond milk
- 3 fl oz (90 ml) cognac
- 3 fl oz (90 ml) rum
- 2 fl oz (60 ml) cream sherry
[Edit]Making Simple Eggnog - Create the milk mixture. In a large saucepan, combine the milk, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla. Cook on medium low heat until the mixture comes to a low boil, stirring occasionally.
- Failing to stir the milk mixture as it boils can cause it to burn and stick to the bottom of the pan, which may ruin the taste of your eggnog.
- Make the egg mixture. In a large bowl, combine the egg yolks and the sugar, and beat or whisk until fluffy.
- If using an electric beater, beat the egg mixture on low speed for one or two minutes.
- Add the milk mixture slowly to the egg mixture and cook. Whisk the milk mixture into the room temperature egg mixture until the ingredients are well incorporated. Pour the combined mixture back into the saucepan. Cook it over medium heat until it becomes thick, which takes about three to five minutes.
- Eggs must be tempered, which means it's important to add the milk mixture gradually to the room temperature egg mixture. Combining them too quickly or adding the eggs directly to the hot saucepan can cause the eggs to curdle and ruin the eggnog.
- Remove the eggnog from the burner. Let it cool at room temperature for about an hour or two, or until the mixture itself reaches room temperature
- Add the remaining the ingredients. Stir in the cream and rum or brandy. Mix the eggnog well.
- Feel free to skip the rum/brandy for a non-alcoholic version. However, keep in mind that non-alcoholic eggnog will spoil faster, so don't store it for too long before you drink it.
- Cover the eggnog tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate it overnight to let the flavors combine, and serve with grated nutmeg and a cinnamon stick garnish.
- The eggnog is best if enjoyed within several days. Refrigerate unused portions and toss it after a week or if the eggnog develops a foul odor.
[Edit]Making Traditional Eggnog - Separate the egg whites from the yolks. Crack each egg in half over a bowl and gently transfer the yolk from shell to shell, letting the white drop into the bowl. Transfer the remaining yolks to a separate medium mixing bowl.
- It's a good idea to separate the whites from one egg into a small bowl and, if the separation is a success (no yolk gets in), pour the whites from that egg into the large bowl. Repeat this process for each egg to minimize the risk of adding unseparated yolks or shell fragments to the main mixing bowl.
- If you get yolk in the whites, save that egg for breakfast: whites will not whip when contaminated with egg yolk.
- Beat the egg whites and sugar. Using an electric beater set on medium speed, beat the egg whites until they turn white and frothy. Add half the sugar and beat just until soft peaks begin to form.
- You can technically use a whisk instead of an electric beater, but the process will take more time and energy.
- "Soft peaks" should just begin to hold their form when you remove the mixer, but they'll melt back into the whites after a second or two.[1]
- Mix the egg yolks with sugar. Mix the remaining half of the sugar into the egg yolks in a separate bowl. Beat the mixture with a whisk until it is well blended.
- Combine the egg mixtures. Gently fold the egg yolks into the beaten egg whites using a spatula, pouring slowly. The goal is to keep the fluffiness of the whites, which means you can stir too quickly or press too hard.
- Add the rum, milk and half of the cream. Slowly pour the rum into the egg mixture, gently folding it in with your spatula. If you're serving the eggnog to children or prefer non-alcoholic eggnog, you can leave out the alcohol. Next, add the milk and half of the cream slowly to the bowl, gently stirring them in.
- Start with 4 cups (1 L) of milk, then add more later to adjust the consistency. If you're adding alcohol, you may not need any more milk.
- Some cooks recommend heating the milk and cream before adding to the egg mixture to help thicken and slightly cook the eggs. If you're worried about eating raw eggs, follow this step.
- Taste the eggnog and decide whether to add more alcohol.
- For thicker eggnog, reduce the amount of milk by half.
- Whip the eggnog. Beat the reserved half of the cream in another medium bowl until nearly stiff, then gently fold the whipped cream into the mixture. Transfer the finished eggnog to a large punch bowl for serving.
- Stiff peaks should be firm and should not collapse into themselves when you pull away the mixer.[2]
- Serve in clear glasses and top with whipped cream. Grate or sprinkle some nutmeg on top for a pretty touch.
- You can safely save leftovers in a sealed dish in the refrigerator for a few days or up to one week.
[Edit]Making Light Iced Eggnog - Blend the milk and ice. Fill the blender half full with ice cubes. Pour in the almond milk. Blend the milk with the ice until it becomes smooth and frothy.[3]
- Almond milk makes this version of eggnog appropriate for lactose intolerant guests.
- If desired, you could swap the almond milk for soy milk, dairy milk, or other nut milks for a slight twist.
- Mix the eggs, agave nectar and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, mix the eggs and the agave nectar with a whisk, making sure they are well incorporated. Stir in the cinnamon.
- Since you won't be able to heat this recipe, it's crucial to use pasteurized eggs to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
- Blend the remaining ingredients. Pour the egg mixture, the cognac, the rum, and the cream sherry into the blender. Puree the ingredients until they reach a smooth consistency.
- Skip the alcohol if serving this to minors or if you prefer non-alcoholic eggnog.
- Serve the eggnog. Pour the eggnog into a glass and serve with a straw. This iced eggnog makes a delicious Christmastime treat when you're in the mood for something light and fresh.
- It's best to enjoy this eggnog shortly after making it since the eggs are still raw, but you will likely be able to store it in a sealed container in your refrigerator for a few days if there are leftovers. Discard the eggnog if it takes on a strange odor or texture, however.
[Edit]Eggnog Recipes - If you want to make non-alcoholic eggnog, simply skip the rum and the bourbon. Then folks who want to spike their nog can add liquor to their cup as they like.
- If you're having a family get-together, double the ingredients and make one alcoholic batch and one regular batch.
- Be gentle during the entire mixing process. Don't over-beat the eggs or the cream; the whipped cream will begin to taste like butter when whipped too long.
- After a while, the mixture starts to separate to make a heavy fluid with a fluffy head, so when serving it, make sure you get a representative sample of each.
- Add milk to change the consistency of the eggnog if it is too thick.
[Edit]Warnings - If you add alcohol to the eggnog, be careful. If someone drinks too much, make sure that the person stays in for the night. Don't drink and drive! Additionally, be wary of a hangover.
- While eggnog is a holiday tradition, increased awareness that consuming raw eggs has the potential to cause foodborne illness has led to some advocating cooking your nog. If you want to enjoy raw eggnog without the worry, you may buy pasteurized shell eggs from many grocery stores. The traditional explanation concerning the safety of eggnog is that the liquor is strong enough to kill whatever problems the eggs introduce. Food poisoning studies show that the risk is reduced with strong liquor. However, the FDA does not advise counting on alcohol to kill all the bacteria.[4]
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Making Simple Eggnog - Large saucepan
- Mixing spoon
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk or electric beater
- Plastic wrap
[Edit]Making Traditional Eggnog - 2 medium mixing bowls
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric beater
- Whisk
- Flat spatula
- Plastic wrap
[Edit]Making Light Iced Eggnog - Blender
- Whisk
- Medium mixing bowl
- Sealed container
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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