What you need
Craft sticks (popsicle stick size)
Craft sticks (tongue depressor size)
Doll pins
Wooden star cut out (approx 1-inch in size)
Scissors
Small hand saw
Glue gun
Glue sticks
Stain
Raffia
Instructions
Step 1
Start by making a template of the frame of your stable. You will need approximately 65 small craft sticks to create the entire nativity. You will make the outline of a house using two sticks crossed at the top like the beginning of a triangle for the roof outline, then use scissors to trim two additional sticks which will be the sides of the stable outline. Now place one whole stick at the bottom to complete the frame. Make 11 of these house outlines and glue the outlines together with hot glue.
Step 2
Place 6 sticks (three on each side in the back to partially fill in the back of the stable; you will cut the sticks at an angle to fit through the stable roof (lengths for the sticks approx. 2.5”, 3”, 3.5”).
Step 3
Cut the doll pins different sizes to represent Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus. (approx. 3”, 2.5”, 1.75”)
Step 4
Use tongue depressor size sticks to make the manger. Cut the sticks with sharp scissors into pieces. Cut two pieces that are 1.75” long for the sides of the manger and then for the ends cut 1” pieces and angle them in order to create a cradle-like look. Stick small pieces of raffia in the manger and glue them inside to look like hay. Then glue the 1.75” doll pin piece on top of the manger and adhere the manger with the doll pin into the middle of your stable.
Glue the larger doll pin pieces on the sides of the manger and baby Jesus to represent Mary and Joseph. Place Mary (2.5” doll pin) in back of the manger and Joseph (3” doll pin) on the right side of the manger this will create the nativity scene inside of the stable.
Step 5
Now glue the wooden star on the front of the roof then stain the entire creation with a wood stain and let dry. Do not stain the craft sticks ahead of time or you will have a hard time getting them to glue together.
I made this for my neighbor last year. It was a big hit, they hung it on their front door.
What a lovely project. I will definitely make this for next Christmas.
Thank you for sharing
Perfect for children’s Sunday school class. Will have to save it for next year.
I made these with my cubscouts years ago and it was my favorite project. I still have the one my son made. It will forever be one of my favorite Christmas decorations.
Awesome idea
Great Idea! I think I will make it for my Grandma!
the children are working on this nativity. we’ll add some led lights around it and some of the other characters will be represented. great idea!
Absolutely adorable!