How to Decoupage a Nativity Inside of A Tree Topper

Figures include: Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherd boy, and three Magi.

       This unusual tree topper is easy to make once you have constructed the star shaped box and attached it's tube. The top-most branch of a Christmas tree will need to fit snugly inside of the tube, so test this out as you make it. It may be fitted exactly if your tree is artificial.
       If you intend to use it on a live tree in the future, the tree branches will need to be adjusted for every unique tree in the future and this should be done at that time by the person pruning branches prior to trimming the tree. 

       I recycled a wrapping paper tube for this project instead of the standard toilet roll. You can observe the pictures at the bottom to see that it was taped onto the star box and then masked completely. The masking tape not only makes the surfaces look uniform but also strengthen the cardboard before applying the decoupage.
       The star was originally a decorative box that had a lid at one time. It is deep, measuring at least 3 or 4 inches. The depth is what gives the star it's unique qualities. It is easier to nestle among branches without toppling and also roomy enough to assemble a small nativity scene with multiple characters.
       I chose to use a sticker set for my nativity here. The stickers are mounted to light weight cardboard like the kind used to package breakfast cereal. Every year there seems to be stickers like these in local hobby shops so I don't believe that visitors here will have difficulty duplicating something similar to this example here. It is entirely possible for a crafter to choose an alternative material to stickers. However, remember to keep that choice on the lighter side of things. Too much weight could make for a disaster if you are not careful. You don't want a nice display to come crashing down in the future!

Left, the side paper is a metallic diamond pattern. Center, a close-up of the stickers. Right, gold
 wrapping paper covers the tube and backside of the star. I used white school glue, with even
  application to cover the entire tree topper with paper before mounting the
  sticker nativity figures inside of the space.

       Choice of colors on a tree-topper are often dictated by the selected theme and/or colors already predominant among other ornaments in a person's collection. I like to combine silver and gold on many of my trees so that is why metallic gold was chosen here. However, I think this would have turned out just as lovely in blue.

See the assembled star shaped tree topper before it is decoupaged. I found the star shaped box
at a discount shop but this could be built by hand in advance if you need to do that instead.
Cut a star shape from sturdy cardboard and then attach the wide walls around it with tape.