For the complete look, follow our step-by-step picture guide to making an Angel Nativity costume here.

If you've got a little Joseph or a Shepherd, you'll be pleased to know this is one of the easier costumes to rustle up! For children’s plays that demand some fun nativity fancy dress costumes, how about dressing your little one as a star or nativity animal? Celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with our wide collection of Nativity costumes for adults and kids.Then, simply use an old striped tea towel to wrap around the head; this look works for a shepherd or innkeeper costume too. Whether you were shepherd number 1, a lowing cow in the stable or Joseph himself, everyone remembers their school nativity play. Please tick if you would like to receive news, offers and information from our trusted and carefully selected partners that we think you might like. Nativity fancy dress is perfect for a live performance at the local town hall, setting the scene for a school play or any other reason you have to dress up and re-recreate the birth of baby Jesus.

Photograph: Alamy If you need a hand making that last minute sheep costume or a pair of angel wings for the school play, fear not, we can help. Re-create the classis style of biblical Bethlehem and the middle east with a variety of three kings and local shepherd nativity costumes. Thank you for providing a much-needed service for parents and one which really represented good value for money. Use a long skirt you have a home, or attach white or blue fabric to the hem of a shorter one – use safety pins if needed. If your kids are doing a school Nativity, and you're lucky, the school will take care of all the costumes.However, amongst all the excitement you've probably got the stress of making their Nativity play costume yourself. If your son is refusing to wear a skirt, they may settle for very baggy trousers with a robe (preferably cream or brown) over the top. That means you'll need to sort a costume for them – whether it be Joseph, Mary, the Angel Gabriel or a Wise Man.

When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded, and brought home his wife, but did not live with her until she had given birth to a son. Have the jumper or tights/leggings as woolly as possible – you can stick on cotton buds with glue to make more fluffy. Are your kids putting on a Nativity this Christmas, or do they just want to get into the festive spirit with a little fancy dress fun? The process is very similar to making a costume for Joseph or an innkeeper, involving stripy tea towels, a length of rope, and a homemade tabard. If there is a specific area of learning your child needs support with, our packs offer information, advice and plenty of engaging practical activities.Kids love fancy dress, and chances are, if they're not already part of the school Nativity, they might like to do it at home anyway. Then, decorate it as you see fit, using paint, colouring in crayons, felt, or gems for added sparkle.