This post teaches how to build, set up, and decorate a simple Christmas nativity scene with nativity crafts you can make and additional elements you can buy to make a more elaborate Christmas Nativity display.
Add a touch of magic to your Christmas decorations by setting up a Christmas nativity scene for friends and family to enjoy. This post includes simple wooden nativity set craft instructions, a DIY nativity stable that kids or adults can build, and a wooden peg doll holy family to make. Or, use the step-by-step DIY nativity scene tutorial below with your favorite creche and nativity figurines. You might also enjoy these classic and unique Christmas Traditions.
Related: Christmas Gifts Kids Can Make Your Family Will Love!
DIY Christmas Nativity Display Set-Up
Set up a simple wooden nativity scene to display along with your Christmas decorations this holiday season. Decorating a Christmas nativity scene similar to the one in the photo requires a few simple supplies and completed Christmas crafts to assemble. Or, use the step-by-step DIY tutorial to set up a nativity scene with your favorite nativity figurines.
First Make, Build, Borrow, or Buy a Nativity Set
Before setting up or decorating a nativity scene, you must make, build, borrow, or buy a Nativity set. But what does the Nativity include? Making a Christmas nativity scene like the one in the photographs requires a completed popsicle stick nativity stable (or an alternative nativity stable). Baby Jesus in a half-walnut shell manager or creche. And a wooden peg doll couple to complete the holy family.
Of course, you are welcome to purchase your favorite simple holy family figurines for your nativity scene and include more characters from the birth of Jesus and the Christmas story than are shown in the photographs for this post.
For example, we put Baby Jesus in a walnut half-shell to complete the easy Christmas nativity scene in the photographs. But you can use a baby wooden peg doll in its place. Or choose another Baby Jesus figurine if you don’t want to make the craft.
Using popsicle sticks to make the wooden nativity stable and wooden peg dolls to make the figurines for the holy family makes this simple Christmas nativity set to craft in the photographs fun and easy to assemble, but you are welcome to choose another DIY nativity set. Our favorite recommendations are on the nativity craft supply list below.
Christmas Nativity Scene Craft Supplies:
- DIY Popsicle Stick Nativity Stable or an alternative Nativity Stable of choice.
- Wooden peg doll couple to represent Mary and Joseph, or THESE holy family figurines that include Baby Jesus.
- Baby Jesus in a half-walnut shell, a mini peg doll, or another Baby Jesus figurine
- Three wooden peg dolls to represent the Three Wise Men or Magi, or THESE figures.
- Wooden animal nativity figurines (Sheep, Donkey, Goat, etc.)
- Christmas Angel(s) (Make this angel craft or buy THIS angel or THIS angel.)
- Star of Bethlehem (A Christmas Star is included on this nativity stable craft, or buy THESE shooting stars for a nativity backdrop.)
- Or, purchase this gorgeous Nativity Set by Willow Tree with everything you need to set up a festive and beautiful Christmas display.
(Please note: The wooden peg doll set listed above will give you enough peg dolls to make this minimalist nativity scene, peg doll elf ornaments, rainbow peg dolls, and winter fairy peg dolls, too! DIY rainbow peg dolls and winter fairies make great Christmas gift ideas for the kids.)
Christmas Nativity Scene FAQ’s
Before we share the proper way to set up a Christmas nativity display, we thought we’d answer a few frequently asked questions (FAQs) people commonly have about decorating a Nativity Scene for Christmas.
1. What is the Nativity Structure Called?
The nativity structure is called the creche or manger and contains each of the elements typically found in a nativity scene, including the stable and the figurines.
2. What are the elements of the Nativity?
What is usually in a Nativity scene? A Christmas Nativity scene includes elements and nativity characters from the story of the birth of Christ. A nativity scene typically includes some or all of the following elements:
- Nativity Stable
- Holy Family (Mary, Jesus, and Baby Jesus)
- Animals (Sheep, Donkey, Oxen, and sometimes a Goat or Camel.)
- Shepards
- Three Wise Men, Magi or Kings
- Christmas Angel
- Star of Bethlehem or Christmas Star
3. What is the proper way to set up a Nativity scene?
Step-by-step instructions to set up a Nativity Scene for Christmas are below the list of Nativity supplies. Scroll down for step-by-step directions.
4. When do you set up a Nativity Scene Display?
Setting up a nativity scene display during Christmas is a cherished tradition in many cultures. The timing for setting it up can vary depending on cultural and personal preferences:
- Beginning of Advent: Many people choose to set up their Nativity scene at the start of Advent, which is the preparation period for Christmas. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day.
- December 1st: Some might start setting up their Nativity scenes on December 1st, aligning with the beginning of the month Christmas is celebrated and when people typically set up their Advent calendars and Christmas countdowns.
- Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8th): In some Catholic traditions, the Nativity scene is set up on or around the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8.
- Christmas Eve: In certain traditions, particularly in Italy, the baby Jesus is added to the Nativity scene on Christmas Eve (December 24th) to symbolize His birth.
- Varying Personal Traditions: Many families have their own traditions regarding when to set up the Nativity scene. It could be tied to a specific family event, a weekend in early December, or any other personal preference.
5. How long do you leave up the Nativity scene?
Just as there are differences in when people set up their nativity displays, there are also discrepancies around how long one should be left up. While some people take down their Nativity decorations right after Christmas, it is common to leave the Nativity scene displayed until the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th. Because many people believe it commemorates the visit of the Magi or Three Wise Men to the baby Jesus. Other traditions extend the display until Candlemas or Imbolc on February 2nd.
Related: Christmas Ornaments Kids Can Make
How to Set up a Nativity Scene for Christmas: Step-by-Step DIY Decorating Instructions
Building, setting up, and decorating a Christmas nativity scene is a cherished tradition for many Christians during the holiday season. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create a beautiful Nativity display in your home for Christmas.
1. Choose the location for your Christmas nativity scene.
- Find a spot in your home where the nativity scene will be visible and not disturbed.
- Some good options are a table or shelf, a mantelpiece, or a dedicated space on the floor.
- In many traditions, a Christmas Nativity scene is placed in the same place that an altar would be placed. In line with the rising sun in the east. In other words, the viewers face eastward, in the direction of the rising sun, as they gaze upon it.
2. Lay the foundation for the Christmas display.
- Start by laying a base or creating a space for your nativity scene.
- This can be a simple cloth or a more elaborate setup with moss, sand, or grass to create a more realistic landscape.
- Or set it up on a table or shelf with a Stone Advent Christmas Countdown or an Advent Spiral.
3. Place the Nativity Stable.
- The nativity stable is the centerpiece of the scene. Place it in a central location within your Christmas nativity display.
- Build your own Christmas nativity stable, or use your favorite pre-made structure.
4. Arrange the main Christmas character figurines in the stable.
- Place the Holy Family (Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus) inside the nativity stable.
- Select a peg doll couple to represent Mary and Joseph, or use your favorite Christmas figurines.
- If you use a peg doll, leave them natural, unfinished, raw wood as shown in the photographs, or decorate them however you wish.
- For the viewer, Mary sits on the left side, and Joseph is on the right.
- Traditionally, Baby Jesus is added to the nativity scene on Christmas Eve, but this is up to your preference.
Is Mary on the right or left in Nativity?
Should Mary be on the right or left? In most religious traditions, Mary is typically placed on the left side of the nativity scene for the viewer, while Joseph is on the right, as shown in the photograph below. The figurines sit facing outward and toward each other in the nativity stable, with Mary’s left side body next to Josephe’s right side body. However, sometimes, we make mistakes, as shown here. (I will be adding new photos to correct my mistake soon.)
On which side of Jesus is Mary?
Mary sits on the left of Baby Jesus or at his right hand, as shown in the photograph below and described above.
Additional Elements for Nativity Scene Set-Up
There are many more Christmas nativity character figurines you can make or purchase and add to your nativity scene for Christmas. These Christmas nativity ideas are optional and up to your personal preference.
1. Include animal figurines in the Creche.
- Place animal figurines in or around the nativity stable.
- Common animals in a nativity scene include donkeys, sheep, goats, oxen, and camels for the Magi.
2. Add Shepards to the Nativity Scene.
- Shepherds can be placed on one side of the stable with or without sheep.
- They represent the first to hear the news of Jesus’ birth.
3. Position the Wise Men or Magi.
- The Wise Men, or Magi, are typically placed on the opposite side of the shepherds.
- In some traditions, they have moved closer to the stable as Epiphany (January 6th) approaches, representing their journey.
- Others believe the Three Kings didn’t arrive until a few years after the birth of Jesus. So, design your nativity according to your beliefs and preferences.
- We put our Wise Men behind a stone in our Christmas countdown calendar. It’s not very accurate, but it’s fun. We explain to our daughter that the Magi are traveling after Christmas. So, removing the final rock symbolizes the birth of Christ but does not signify the arrival of the Wise Men.
4. Include a Christmas Star (Star of Bethlehem)
- The Star of Bethlehem, or Christmas Star, shows up in the nativity story when the Wise Men or Magi from the East are inspired to travel to Jerusalem when they see the star.
- The star leads them to the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem, where they are said to give him gifts. (Many Christians and theologians believe the birth of Jesus was a miracle. However, some scholars do not consider Baby Jesus’ birth to be an actual description of a real historical event. Instead, they believe it was a fictional story added to the main gospel later.)
- Our homemade Nativity stable has a star built into the creche.
5. Add a Christmas Angel to the Nativity scene.
- An angel is often placed above the stable or nearby, symbolizing the angel who announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds.
- Make this gorgeous angel craft with or without the twine hanger, depending on where you want to put it on the display.
- Or purchase your favorite angel figurine to include.
6. Lighting and other Christmas decorations.
- Add lighting, such as small LED fairy lights, to highlight the scene.
- Some also add stars, small trees, Christmas crafts, and other seasonal holiday decorations to enhance the display.
7. Personalize your Christmas Nativity Display.
- Feel free to add personal touches to your nativity scene.
- This could include unique figures, natural elements, and other special decorations that have meaning for you or your family.
DIY Christmas Nativity Scene Craft for Kids and Adults
Make this beautiful, easy DIY Christmas nativity scene with wooden peg dolls or your favorite Nativity figurines this season. Both kids and adults will enjoy this easy Christmas nativity DIY project!
Remember, a nativity scene setup can vary greatly depending on personal, cultural, and regional traditions. There are several variations in beliefs, traditions, and versions of the Birth of Jesus and the Nativity story. The most important aspect of its design is that it reflects the spirit of the season and holds meaning for you and your loved ones.
You might also enjoy this list of Christmas Traditions and our Winter Bucket List filled with fun activities for kids!
Learn more about Rhythms of Play HERE!
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