A nativity scene holds a special place in holiday decor, and you can find them crafted in many different styles and designs. Try making this unique DIY nativity scene out of Christmas mason jars!
From wood to felt to ceramic (and many more!), it seems that you can find beautiful nativity scenes in almost any material and style. But I might just have a project to create one that you’ve never seen before.
Today I am turning a group of jars into a glowing nativity scene that is perfect for your mantel or anywhere else you may want to display it in your home. When you look at the entire scene, the project might seem complicated. Lucky for you, creating beautiful Christmas jars to turn into a DIY nativity scene is much easier than you may think!
Grab your own mason jars and get started creating your version of a homemade nativity scene today! After all, it is the most wonderful time of the year, and what better way to celebrate than with mason jars?
If you love Christmas crafting, be sure to also check out my Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments Recipe, Burlap Christmas Trees, and Wooden Christmas Tree ideas!
How To Make Christmas Jars
Your local Michaels store will have everything you need to do this project. Then it’s time to get creative! This mason jar nativity scene will look great on a mantel!
Supplies Needed To Make A DIY Nativity Scene With Jars
I’ve included some handy links to make finding certain items easier. Please note that some links may be affiliate links.
- Ball Quart Jars with smooth sides
- Krylon Sea Glass Paint in ice
- Battery operated tea lights
- Gold vinyl
- Transfer tape
- Weeding tools
- Cricut machine
- Nativity scene cut file (see how to download below)
- Scissors
Nativity Cut File
Sign up for the newsletter in the box below to receive your nativity scene cut file. If you already get the newsletter, just input your information again. Don’t worry – you won’t unknowingly sign yourself up for anything you didn’t intend to or get buried in emails!
Next, go check your email to get the file so you can upload it to your Cricut machine for cutting.
Please note that this file is for personal use only. Please contact me if you have any issues with your download or want to purchase a commercial license.
Mason Jar DIY Nativity Scene Instructions
The process of making these DIY Christmas jars is very easy. The project uses a similar process as my frosted Christmas jar candles. Just follow these instructions!
Step 1
Clean your jars and dry them. Once they’re dry, gather your painting supplies so you can paint the jars.
Pro Tip: I recommend doing your spray painting outside to keep the smell and mess to a minimum.
Step 2
Spray all sides with a couple of coats of sea glass paint and allow them to dry completely. This paint gives your mason jars a frosted look that is just perfect for adding in candles. Doesn’t it look amazing?
Step 3
If you haven’t already, download the nativity file. Then upload this file to Cricut Design Space and resize it to fit your jars.
If you need help, you can learn more about uploading images here. All of your images will fit on one 12×12 sheet of vinyl.
Step 4
Using your Cricut, cut your images from the vinyl. Remove any excess pieces with the weeding tools.
Continue until you have removed all of your excess vinyl.
Don’t forget to remove easy-to-forget items like the centers of the letter as well!
Step 5
Next, use scissors to cut the images away from each other.
Step 6
Now it’s time to get your transfer tape and cut it to about the same size as your images.
Step 7
Carefully lay the transfer tape over the top of your image and press down firmly.
Step 8
Remove the backing from your transfer tape. The vinyl should remain on the transfer tape.
Step 9
Place your vinyl on the painted jars, being careful to position them slowly so the image is where you want it.
Press down firmly.
Step 10
Peel back your transfer tape.
Clip the very bottom of your vinyl, if you need to, to make it lie flat.
DIY Nativity Scene Jars Project Notes
For the images that are just one piece, you can just peel and stick them instead of using transfer tape if desired.
Then just add a tea light to each of your Christmas jars.
Set them on a mantel or anywhere that you want to spread a little holiday cheer.
These DIY nativity scene Christmas jars will also look gorgeous during the day with the candles off!
But they look especially stunning at night when you flip on the candles and watch the holiday magic happen!
FAQs
If you have questions, check below to see if I’ve answered them. If you don’t see the answer to yours, leave your question in the comments and I’ll be sure to answer it.
What can I put my nativity scene on?
I love to have my Christmas jars front and center on my mantle. But, there are lots of places in your home that would make terrific display spots including on a shelf, on a table, or even in a special place on your counter!
Can you frost glass with Mod Podge?
You can create a frosted glass effect with Mod Podge, but it takes longer because you have to paint multiple coats and wait for them to dry. Plus, the final effect isn’t quite as good as what the sea glass paint produces. I recommend the sea glass paint, but it’s good to know that there’s another option in case you can’t find the right stuff.
You can really see the detail on each jar and how great they look in the following images.
I just love crafts that are super simple to make, don’t you?
Why not get crafty this season and transform some ordinary Ball mason jars into an eye-catching DIY nativity scene? This project will add a special touch to your Christmas home decor.
Everyone who sees your set is sure to love this unique spin on a nativity scene. You might as well go ahead and make an extra to give as a holiday gift because (of course) the best gifts come wrapped in jars!
More Christmas Crafting Projects You’ll Love
- Mason Jar Christmas Craft Snow Globe Toppers
- Free Christmas Countdown Calendar Printable
- Christmas Tree SVG for an Outdoor Pallet Sign
- How to Make Clay Ornaments for Christmas {with Video}
Grab your Ball mason jars and get started on your own version of this amazing craft today! I’m a firm believer that everyone needs some festive Christmas jars this holiday season. And with this project, their festive jars will all work together to create a lovely scene.
Love this and want more Cricut Christmas crafts? Try the links below as well!
Want to print the instructions for making these nativity jars? Try the card below!
Supplies
- Ball Quart Jars with smooth sides
- Krylon Sea Glass Paint in ice
- Battery operated tea lights
- Gold vinyl
- Transfer tape
- Weeding tools
- Cricut machine
- Nativity scene cut file see how to download above
- Scissors
Instructions
- You will want to paint your jars first so that they can dry. Be sure to start with clean jars and do your spray painting outside.
- Spray all sides with a couple of coats of sea glass paint and allow to dry completely. This paint gives your mason jars a frosted look that is just perfect for adding in candles.
- You can then download the nativity file. Upload this file to Cricut Design Space and resize it to fit your jars. You can see more about uploading images here if you have issues. All of your images will fit on one 12×12 sheet of vinyl.
- Cut the images from gold vinyl then use weeding tools to remove all of the excess. Continue until all of your excess vinyl has been removed.Remember to remove things like the centers of the letter as well.
- Then use scissors to cut the images away from each other.
- Cut transfer tape to approximately the same size as your image.
- Place the transfer tape over the top and then press down well.
- Remove the backing and your vinyl should be left on the transfer tape.
- Add the vinyl to the painted jars.
- Press down well.
- Then peel back your transfer tape.
- You may have to clip the very bottom of your vinyl to make it lie flat.
Notes
- For the images that are just one piece, you can just peel and stick them instead of using transfer tape if desired.
- Then just add a tea light to each of your Christmas jars and display them!
This is BEAUTIFUL!! I do not have a cricut machine. Can this be made without a cricut?
Sure! Just print the images and cut them with a craft knife out of vinyl! It shouldn’t be too hard!
Angie, this is such a sweet DIY Christmas project. I love anything that I can do with my Cricut. Thank you for sharing at Happiness is Homemade Link Party. I’m choosing you as one of our features for this week.