Top tips for perfect school Nativity costumes

YOU know Christmas is almost here when little ones arrive home clutching a letter with the news that you need to provide a costume for whatever starring role they have been given this year.

The Nativity is almost upon us and however much we sigh at the thought of yet another costume there’s no better feeling than watching your child singing along to ‘Away in a Manger’ whilet angels fall off the stage and Mary bursts into tears because she doesn’t want to sit next to Joseph.

Fiskars, makers of the best known and best selling scissors in the world, suggest some quick and easy tips to create costumes with the minimum of fuss.

Fiskars Classic General Purpose scissors, £12.99 are perfect for this job and once you have a pair in the house, you’ll find yourself using them for everything.

Fiskars Pinking Shears create a zig-zag pattern which means anything you cut won’t fray; they are more expensive at £29.99 but will last for ever although Fiskars scissors come with a lifetime guarantee anyway.

Here are Fiskars’ top tips for helping out with the Nativity this year:

Simple tunic for Shepherds/Joseph/Mary/Wise Men

A tunic is the base for most characters and the simplest way to make on is to use an old pillowcase. Cut a hole in the top for the head and sides for the arms and slits at the bottom for a bit of give.

Tie round the middle with dressing gown tie or rope.

For Mary add a piece of blue fabric, pashmina style around her shoulders.

Simple Head-dress

Use a tea towel, stripy is great for shepherds, blue or white for Mary and brown for Joseph.

Secure with a stretchy headband or another dressing gown tie or piece of rope or fabric.

Wise Men

The Kings' costumes should look a bit more luxurious.

To achieve this, use bold colours such as purples and reds.

If you have pillowcases in these colours, that’s great, but if not, use a larger piece of fabric folded over so that it is the same length front and back then cut a hole in the top for the head and then tie with a gold belt or gold fabric.

For a cloak simply take a rectangular piece of the fabric, a little longer than your child's height.

Fold the edge of one of the shorter ends over by around three inches and sew.

You can then thread ribbon, strong or rope through this and secure the cloak on your little ‘Wise Man’.

Fiskars Scissors are available in John Lewis, Lakeland, The Range, Hobbycrafts, Dunelm Mill as well as independent craft and hardware shops around the UK or for more information, visit www.fiskars.com.