Christmas Designs

Frosty Forestry

Joshua Metzger from River Hills Christian Church in Loveland, Ohio brings us this scene a few steps away from the shining city of War Drobe in the far land of Spare Oom.

They started by covering the back of the stage with a sheer fabric purchased from Rosebrand fabrics. Next they cut down trees from their property to various heights and painted them with white flat paint to look frosted. They attached bases to the trees created out of 2×4’s and placed them on stage.

Then they cut multiple sizes of snowflakes from 4×8 foam insulation sheathing purchased from Home Depot. They painted them with glossy white paint and suspended them from fishing line in the auditorium and hallways. Joshua used chicken wire to create mounds at the bases of the trees and covered them with foam snow padding. He placed two gas lamp posts and a number of poinsettias around to finish off the look.

Once the lighting was set they added two snow machines to create their environment.

They carried the theme throughout the building too.

Each week of the series had a “buzz” word that they cut out of the foam sheathing. They hung the words on the wall in the main hallway and changed them on stage to correspond with each week.

The biggest expense was the fabric. They found it on clearance for $400. The foam, the paint, and rollers cost around $150. The rest was repurposed material.

Side note: The foam cuts like butter with a rotozip. (like a big drimmel. $15 @ harbor freight)

Seeing Inside $igns

10 responses to “Frosty Forestry”

  1. emor says:

    Nice look! Sounds like they found the same fabric one of our campus pastors did :)

    We did something like this several years back, but not in as much detail (largely because no fake snow is allowed in our auditorium). Instead of painting trees, we used birch branches, which were placed in cylindrical trash cans that resembled giant flower vases. We then took clear glass ball ornaments and hung them from the trees with long strands of fishing line, resulting in something like a forest where someone’s been blowing bubbles. It was a really neat effect for our 11pm Christmas eve service.

  2. sue says:

    This is so lovely…. totally love it!!!

  3. Joe says:

    Very nice!

  4. Jamie says:

    Wow Joshua, this is absolutely incredible! The scene you created for Christmas is just absolutely unbelievable! I really love the snowflakes and wording. I’m very impressed with how smooth that stuff came out. That’s ingenious. I was thinking about doing some snow flakes like that for a backdrop at our church but wasn’t sure what to use for cutting, so thanks for the tip. We are doing the decorating for our church this Sunday evening. I am right down the road at House of Restoration in Milford, OH and would love to come check out you guys setup maybe sometime next week if you had a few free moments. Please let me know. I am in awe if this stage design.

    Jamie

  5. Timothy says:

    Quick question on the Rotozip… specific model you’re referring to?

  6. Rob says:

    Which fabric is this from Rosebrand? They have a zillion sheer fabrics on their site. Thanks! Great design!

  7. maxy says:

    Hello!
    What material is the snow? Our youth group is decorating for Christmas service and we want something like this. But are wondering where can we find snow that is versatile for staging purposes?
    Thanks!
    Blessings!

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