Last weekend I helped a few ladies from my church plan our wards Christmas party: A Night in Bethlehem. We wanted to create a Christmas experience that celebrated the life of Christ. I’m on the enrichment committee, so part of my job is to help with the ward activities (best calling ever). I thought this night turned out fabulous, so I wanted to share some of the pictures with you. :) Everything for this event was borrowed or purchased at Goodwill. We used LOTS of fabric to create the displays. There were so many people that volunteered to set up for this event and it really turned out so amazing. The pictures do not do justice.
When the ward members arrived at the event they brought a can of food (which we donated) and in exchange were given a bag of pennies. The kids went around to each booth (meat, cheese, bread, lentil soup, pastry, etc) and “bought” the food with their pennies. The kids really enjoyed that part. Here is the fruit booth I decorated. We used old sheets for the tablecloth and we placed a bed skirt around the top of the tent to add a little detail. The baskets and fruit is really what made the whole display.
This was the pita booth…which btw those were the best pitas ever! I need to find the recipe for you guys!
My favorite booth… the pastry booth. Lots of yummy goods!
The wise men passed out gold frankincense and myrrh (mini chocolate chips) to all the children.
I loved the water well. It was filled with water bottles. They did a fabulous job on it.
Our ward acted out the nativity and it was so neat to see everyone who participated in that. Everyone brought blankets and sat on the floor with their families.
We had such a great time. I’m so grateful for my Savior and that we can celebrate His birth and the life He lived.
Hope you all are enjoying this holiday season. Xoxo
Kristen B.
This is so neat. Great displays! I would love to attend something like this.
Jamielyn
Thank you Kirsten! Have a wonderful holiday!
Keshakeke
He is a WONDERFUL Savior! This is a neat idea! What a great way to celebrate CHRISTmas!
Jamielyn
Yes He is! Have a wonderful holiday. :)
Jill
What a GREAT job you did decorating! i love the bedskirt! I remember doing that when I was little! SO fun! Have a great weekend! Smiles, Jill
Jamielyn
Thanks Jill! Gotta love goodwill. ;) Have a great day!
Trinity B.
You all did a remarkable job with this! I love how you used all the fabric to make it look exactly what it must have looked like all those years ago. It’s also refreshing to see a Christmas celebration focusing on the REAL reason for this Season. I imagine the guests at your party felt felt very special that you all went to such lengths to make everything so beautiful. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas.
Jamielyn
Thanks Trinity! :) Merry Christmas to you too!
Carrie
I think 90% of the blogs that are related to home/family/budget are LDS women! I am too. :) We did an activity like that several years ago and it was amazing. You did a wonderful job with it-but no surprise there! :) I love your blog!
Pam
How amazing!!! I too am grateful and dearly love our Savior and older brother, Jesus Christ. I would not like to think of my life without the Gospel; but am thrilled everyone has the Light of Christ in them. There are wonderful people of all cultures, religions, etc., in the world. I am definately suggesting to our ward doing this next year (of course, that means I’ll be in charge…..hmmm….maybe I can get someone else to suggest it…ya think?). Thanks for sharing this beautiful memory and your testimony!
Jamielyn
Thanks Carrie for you sweet comment. :) I hope you have a happy holidays! xo
MeganM.
Such an awesome idea for a ward party! Everything looks amazing!
Jamielyn
It was definitely the best ward party I’ve ever been too. So many fun details that went into the evening. I hope you have a happy holidays! xo
Kim Felton
I read lots and lots of DIY blogs with endless amounts of wonderful ideas. I was so stopped in my tracks when I came across and read this post in my inbox.
I attend church about 20-30 times a year, not enough and have certainly seen my fair share of christmas plays and performances. The decorations and the costumes that you created are just wonderful. Almost a shame that it only gets to be seen for a short time once a year.
Thank you so much for your post on this topic and for showing us your wonderful ability to decorate “a booth”. Blessings to you this holiday season.
Jamielyn
Thanks for your comment. It was a wonderful evening. I hope you have a happy holidays! xo
Jessica @ Dear Emmeline
wow. so well planned and executed. looks like an awesome time to really celebrate and think about the meaning of the season!
Jamielyn
Thanks Jessica! Everyone there did such an amazing job. I hope you have a happy holidays! xo
Ashton @ Something Swanky
This looks amazing! And ohmygosh– there’s Sister B! How fun :)