How To Make A Manger For A Nativity Set

I am a follower of Christ and have a passion to share the skillful news of the gospel with as many people as possible.

A manger volition add together the glory of Christ to your yard this holiday season.

Image past OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

My favorite time of year is Christmas. I enjoy sitting past the Christmas tree and just watching the seasonal lights. When my wife and I decorate our house, we try to make sure that at least some of the decorations point us to the true meaning of Christmas: the nascence of Jesus Christ.

A few years after we had built our house, nosotros purchased an outdoor nascence set that came with Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus then we could display an outdoor nativity scene. The set tends to blow over very easily and I was tired of constantly picking upward the pieces.

Deciding to Build A Manger

I wanted to purchase a manger to block the wind and make the scene more than complete but had a hard fourth dimension finding one that I liked. I really wanted a manger that looked slap-up and would be easy to store once Christmas is over. I decided to build a nativity manger on my own that looks nice while up and stores relatively flat in two pieces.

Piece of cake-to-Follow Plans for Building a Manger

One of the dandy things nearly building a manger is that it does not demand to be perfect. It is okay if it looks worn or if at that place are slight gaps hither and there.

Manger Plans: An Overview

Eric Cramer

Project Supply List

The supply list for building your manger is nice and curt. Be sure to choice out the straightest boards that you can. Remember that board lengths are less than what they are called. For case, a ane" x 6" is actually a ¾" x 5 ½" board.

I used pine to construct my manger, but you may wish to employ cedar or light-green treated wood. If you lot use pine, you will have to put a protective glaze on information technology. This can be a elementary waterproofing, outdoor pigment, or stain.

Supplies for Building Your Manger:

Amount	Material
5	1" 10 6" 10 8'
iv	1" x 6" ten 6'
2	1" ten 4" ten eight'
ii	1" ten 4" x 6'
2	packages of 4" heavy-duty tee hinges (total of four hinges needed)
1	box of 1 ¼" screws
	wood glue
	paint, stain, etc.

Some Organizational Tips

In pencil, lightly number each of the boards starting with a 1" x 6" 10 8'. All of those should be number 1 through 5 and go on in guild of the supply list so that the final ane" ten 4" 10 6' is number 13.

The cut list below volition tell you how each lath needs to exist cut but practise non make all of the cuts at once. Follow the steps in the sections below just in case you have to brand an on-the-fly adjustment.

Detailed Cut Listing for Building a Manger

Eric Cramer

Manger Back Associates Plans

Eric Cramer

Scroll to Proceed

Read More than From Holidappy

Building the Dorsum Wall of the Manger

The dorsum wall of the manger is the best place to start considering all of the other pieces need to marshal with it.

Cut List for the Back Wall

Take boards ane-eight (1" x 6") and cut each of them using the miter saw to a length of 29 1/8" starting with the cease that was not numbered. Place the remainder of each board aside for afterward use.

Now cut board number 10 (1" 10 four") into two 46" sections using the miter saw. The left role of the lath is scrap. Accept board number 12 and using the miter saw, cut information technology to a length of 36". Now take it over to the tabular array saw and rip it to a width of 1 ¾".

Assembling the Back Wall

Assembling the back wall is easy! Simply follow these steps.

1. On a flat surface, lay the one" x 6" x 29 1/8" boards next to each other. Move them around until you have the best fit. In one case y'all are satisfied, commencement on the right side by taking the 2nd board in and running a bead of gum down the border.
2. Push the two boards on the right together and line up the meridian and bottom of each so that they are flush.
3. Take one of the 1" ten 4" ten 46" boards and lay it across the peak.
4. Drill two pilot holes through the 1" 10 iv" into the first two boards and so screw the boards together.
5. Repeat the same process with the other 1" x 4" ten 46" lath on the bottom. Be sure to make certain that both of the one" x 4" are flush with the summit and lesser respectively.
6. Repeat this same process with the next ii 1" x 6"southward.
7. Now take the ane" x 1 ¾" 10 36" lath and adhere it using the same process. Putting this lath in the center hides the fact that information technology is smaller than the residual of them.
8. Next, attach the remaining 4 1" x 6" x 29 1/8" boards using the same process. The best tip that I tin give you here is to go slow and take your time. Make sure that the i" x iv" boards are flush with the tops and bottoms.

Manger Side Assembly Plans

Eric Cramer

Edifice the Manger's Side Walls

This is the trickiest section to build because it is disquisitional to be accurate on the bending cuts. Become slow through the cutting portion of this section. Cut the angle portion first and so cut it to length. You desire to exist sure yous're making the right cut.

Cut List for the Side Walls

1. Set your miter saw to xx° and cutting the remainder of board number five (1" 10 6") equally close as possible to the top.
2. So measure downward 36 inches from the high side of the bending cutting and make a straight cut.
3. Repeat the aforementioned cuts onboard number ix (1" ten 6").
4. Next, take hold of boards half-dozen and seven (1" x 6") and make a 20°bending cut at the top of each and and so measure downwards 33 ¾" from the high side and cut off the excess.
5. Repeat the same process for boards 8 and 9 (1" x vi"), except cut them to 31 ¾".
6. Now have board number xi (1" ten 4") and cut two pieces to 16 ½".
7. Exercise the aforementioned with board number 12 (i" ten 4").

The reason that I am having y'all employ 2 dissimilar boards is to try to buy the least corporeality of boards possible.

Assembling the Side Walls

1. Separate the boards into two piles, ane for each side. Each pile should have the following 1" x six"s: 36", 33 ¾", and 31 ¾". Both piles should have ii 1" ten 4" 10 16 ½" boards.
2. Arrange each pile so that the 36" boards are on the outside and the smallest boards are closets to each other.
3. Option a side to outset with.
4. Take the 33 ¾" board and run a bead of glue and push information technology up against the 36" board. Be certain that the angles on top line upwards and that the bottom is flush. If your ends are not perfect, make certain that the top lines up the best.
5. Take the 31 ¾" lath and run a bead of mucilage down the side and push information technology against the other two.
6. Once you have everything the mode you want it, take one of the 1" x four"south and screw information technology flush with the bottom of the side.
7. Take the other i" x 4" and lay information technology straight across the height starting at the low side of the elevation.
8. You may wish to use a square to make certain that information technology is as straight equally possible. Echo the same process for the other side.
9. Make sure that the sides are going opposite directions.

Manger Roof Assembly Plans

Eric Cramer

Building the Roof of the Manger

Cut Pieces for the Roof of the Manger

Grab the remaining one" x six" boards ane through 4 and cutting them to 57 ½".

So take board 11 (ane" 10 four") and cut three twenty" pieces out of information technology. You are now set to gather the tiptop.

Assembling the Roof

1. Lay the four 1" ten half dozen" boards parallel to each other and effort a few different arrangements to determine how they fit the best together.
2. Stand up iii of the boards on their ends and run chaplet of glue downwards them.
3. One by ane lay them flat and button them against each other. Be sure that the top and lesser sides are affluent.
4. Accept one of the 3 1" ten 4" boards and measure in 4 ¾" from the correct edge and make a mark at the bottom.
5. Do the same thing on the third lath up.
6. Line upwardly the 1" ten four" with the marks and screw it in. One border of the i" x four" should be touching the front of the "one x half dozen", while the other stop is brusque most 2 inches.
7. Now measure out over eighteen ¾" from the one" x 4" and make a mark at the bottom and on the 3rd board.
8. Screw in the next 1" 10 4" aligned with those marks.
9. Measure out over some other 18 ¾" and make your marks and attach the final 1" 10 4".

Trim for Manger

Eric Cramer

Trim and Final Associates

The concluding cuts we have to brand are using (1" x 4") board 13.

1. Cut it to a length of 46".
2. Have it over to the table saw and rip information technology to a width of 1 ½".
3. Lay information technology on the top of the back department and spiral it to the top. Make sure that information technology is as flush as possible on all sides.
4. Lay the back downwardly then that they side with the 1" x four"s is facing up.
5. Grab both sides and lay them the same mode. The short side of each should friction match up to the back piece.
6. Take the hinges and lay them on each of the 1" x 4"s. Make sure that the hinges are even on both sides so that the wall will swing hands. The best mode to cheque this is to measure how far each hinge goes in on the 1" 10 4".
7. Screw the hinges to the one" x 4"s.
8. Stand up up the manager and close the doors until they both form 90° angles.
9. Accept the room and lay it over the pinnacle of the sides. The i" x 4" brace on each side of the roof should fit flush confronting the sidewalls. The dorsum of the top is the side where the 1" ten 4" supports practise not go all of the manner to the end.
10. Once you lot get the roof to fit how you want it, screw in two screws on each side into the 1" ten four" supports on the summit. This will hold everything in place while you are using it.

The manger is at present consummate. I thing that you may want to add together is a minor door paw on the exterior of each sidewall and so that y'all can tie the walls shut when you desire to store the manger.

Besides, you may want to attach a large handle on the back to make carrying the primary piece easier.

My communication to you is to choice out your outdoor nativity set before building the manger to be certain that the size is right. Changing the measurements should be an piece of cake practice.

In that location are simply two parts where y'all need to be peculiarly conscientious:

1. the angled cuts on the sides and
2. the peak braces are a footling brusk from the back of the top of the manger.

© 2022 Eric Cramer

Floriano Abreu on June 17, 2022:

It was a joy building this easy to follow instructions. I wish I had washed this years agone, information technology would have saved me a lot of time over the years, with your piece of cake to build stable I can now shop it subsequently employ and open up it up in years to come. Fantastic idea.

Bless yous.

A.J. on December 04, 2022:

Directions are confusing. Cut directions for top states lath 12 (1"x4") cutting to 36" length; rip to 1.75"..

OK. did that, then assembling states apply the 1"x one.75 x36" in center of back. The back is just 29 one/viii" high. What is the extra length for??

Steve on November 04, 2022:

Cheers Mr Cramer for sharing you thought and plans! Just built ours and my wife loves information technology. Not only looks corking, only the storage part is a major bonus. Thanks again!

Eric Cramer (author) from Chicagoland on Oct twenty, 2022:

Great to hear! I promise he loves information technology!

David Grenier on October 20, 2022:

Thank you Mr. Cramer. This was exactly what I needed and mine turned out great. My married woman's going to be thrilled.

Michael H on March 09, 2022:

Similar Gurnzy said! Nice looking stable though.

Gurnzy on Dec 09, 2022:

that is an America stable not a manger. The manger is where the hay and other feed goes, non the animals

churchnurse Patty on November 29, 2022:

Thank you for sharing! I have looked all over the internet for a squeamish looking easy plan to build. Will mail service moving picture when done!

Bill T on Nov 14, 2022:

On the back wall, 8 - 1 past vi Plus a 1 3/4 equqls 48 inches. She are the 1 by 4 s cut to 46?

Beak on November 11, 2022:

I followed this program with a few small-scale adjustments and it came out groovy.

frank ratliff on Oct 27, 2022:

A little confused nearly the 1 one/2 past 48 trim piece. But how exactly does information technology lay and how will 1 1/4 screws concur it?

Danny on October 02, 2022:

I have mine nearly done. I changed the summit though. Went with iii/8 plywood and turned the roof support beams to run the width instead of the depth. Going to stain the whole thing then add straw or moss to the roof top. I am NOT a carpenter. Don't treat building stuff...never liked lumber! (I am a mechanic, or I mean was...i retired last yr. only this project proved to exist both simple and satisfying for me. Thanks!

Dorothy on September 06, 2022:

This is not a manger. This is a stable. A manger is a feeding trough for animals. Jesus was not born in a manger. He was born in a stable and laid in a manger.

Jason Matthews from N Carolina on January 21, 2022:

Great idea and dandy instructions! This is awesome!

Eric Cramer (author) from Chicagoland on Dec 08, 2022:

The final size of the product is 57" wide and about 24" deep

Marcia on December 07, 2022:

Thanks for sharing - what size is the finished product?

RJK on December x, 2022:

Using your plans as a basis for my Stable…I increased the size all around and made the side walls higher and then the twenty° cut allowed the roof to sit atop the rear wall without whatever trim. I also added a lip to the front edge of the roof and finally I added a floor too as cutting a notch on the lower rear wall so I could run electric into the Stable. Thanks and know you are appreciated for the plans. Take a Blessed Christmas.

Eric Cramer (author) from Chicagoland on December 23, 2022:

Thou.M. - Yeah, if you make everything bigger information technology should work fine. I would build the dorsum wall first and then the two side walls and assemble them earlier tackling the roof. That style you can verify that the size is correct.

K.Yard. on Dec 23, 2022:

Thank you so much for posting this. I very much want to brand this merely I need to accommodate your plans every bit my Nativity pieces are taller and I have ix pieces. My highest piece is 37 inches loftier. Then I need a wider and bigger Manger. I am thinking of making the dorsum with 7 boards instead of 5 and the sides with 5 boards instead of iii. I get stuck on the cuts though...Can I just add together 2 inches to each board to accommodate the tiptop? I would be grateful for your advice. Thanks! Have a Blessed Christmas!

Cheryl Ann Cox on December 21, 2022:

This is beautiful and the directions look great, but information technology is not a manger. Information technology is a stable. Peradventure y'all could likewise brand a manger to place in the stable?

Bill on Dec 11, 2022:

Bang-up commodity. I followed the instructions. The simply fault was identified in the comments section past JohnC (the 36" ripped 1.75 lath (back wall middle piece) should also be 29 ane\8...instructions call for 36' cut...). The entire process, including the trip to the hardware store, was about three hours. My wife loves it. I besides appreciate the authors' power to limit the amount of scrap wood. A existent money and fourth dimension saver.

Kelly from NJ, USA on November 29, 2022:

Very useful!

Doug R on October 14, 2022:

Good idea ime going to make ane simply add a hinged roof and use rough cut pallet forest to make it more rustic and as well add hay on the roof. Thanks good job!!!!

JohnC on December 14, 2022:

the 36" ripped 1.75 board (back wall center slice) should also be 29 one\eight...instructions phone call for 36' cut...

Eric Cramer (author) from Chicagoland on December 02, 2022:

Corrgc,

The back wall should be 29 1/8 loftier. I made an mistake when I redid my plans to put on hither. The front of the side walls should be 36" as stated before and the back should come up down to 29 one/eight. I sincerely apologze for the error. I have updated the hub and the plans that are fastened as pictures. Let me know if you have any more than questions.

corrgc on December 02, 2022:

Eric Help! I followed the instructions (I think) and have run into a problem. The tallest wall post on each side is 36" per your instructions - the same side as the back wall. This makes the walls likewise curt. In your motion-picture show information technology looks like the tallest wall post is over 40". Where did I get wrong?

Eric Cramer (writer) from Chicagoland on November 29, 2022:

Amen! I couldn't hold more Val!

Val Swabb from South Carolina on November 29, 2022:

Thank you for these astonishing and easy to follow instructions!

I accept ever wanted a overnice manger scene to put exterior, but the 'dainty' (not plastic ugly ones) have been exterior my families price range. This volition significantly decrease the costs involved, and give me a neat brandish to remind people that Christmas is most Christ, not Santa and presents! Jesus was the ultimate present, sent from God Himself!!!!

Amy D. from Mostly in My Own Little World on November 11, 2022:

Great hub and directions. I accept a stack of wooden pallets in my shed that are request to be made into something. This would exist great. I wouldn't have to spend the coin to have a nice looking manger.

Eric Cramer (writer) from Chicagoland on September 20, 2022:

You do not display a manger scene to worship it, just as a reminder that God left His throne and came to world as a infant to dice for your sins and mine. It is that what we celebrate at Christmas. It points to the savior amongst all the commercialism that the globe has turned Christmas into.

Mark Knowles on September 19, 2022:

Wow - so the real meaning of Christmas is to waste material time and effort edifice such things and spend money on ebay buying graven images for idol worship?

Odd - I always thought it was the Winter Solstice. :D Dainty to know the Pagan tradition it was taken from was a lot less commercially driven than the Christian version.

Voted "upwards" and "depressing."

Maria Magdalena Ruiz O'Farrill from Borikén the swell land of the valiant and noble Lord on September 19, 2022:

How beautiful to know when somebody writes about the existent meaning of Christmas. Great idea and hub. Blessings to yous, yours and to the readers.

Stephanie Bradberry from New Jersey on September 19, 2022:

This is cool. I never would take thought of building my ain manger earlier. Simply this commodity lays everything out so nicely. I think if I built this, or something very similar, it would plow into a lilliputian playing identify for the kids. I call up I would start with building a little model sized ane from all the left over wood in the woodshop before going the full monty.

Leah Lefler from Western New York on September 19, 2022:

I have idea of making one for our front lawn - I was thinking of cutting out figures from plywood (though using the jigsaw still scares me a piffling)!

Eric Cramer (author) from Chicagoland on September xix, 2022:

leahlefler - For the figures I have been using a set up that has rope lights around the edges attached to a wire frame. When the rope lights become out, I will probably build a set and use either white christmas lights or a spot light at nighttime.

Tyler Tobin from N Carolina on September 19, 2022:

I love Christmas and especially dearest live nascency scenes. Your manger blueprint is perfect for a alive nascency scene and would make a great improver to any nativity. Keen Hub!

Nettlemere from Burnley, Lancashire, U.k. on September 19, 2022:

Really thorough instructions which is ideal for novices attempting the project. Especially useful to have the list of what to purchase because I ever have difficulty working that sort of affair out.

livingsta from United Kingdom on September 19, 2022:

Good idea for people who want to build one! Christmas is not far away! Voted upwards! Useful!

Evie Lopez from Sunny Florida on September xix, 2022:

Congratulations! Doesn't this make the 2nd fourth dimension ii of your hubs have been selected as Hub of the Day? I call up I know why. You were blessed with an amazing gift in carpentry, just similar our Lord Jesus Christ, and since information technology glorifies His birth, of course information technology will shine.

Keen hub. This will non just brand a smashing project for a home but for a small church equally well. Voted up and useful.

Angelo52 on September 19, 2022:

Good information on building your own manger. Looks similar it would exist a overnice addition to any Christmas yard.

Alissa Roberts from Normandy, TN on September 19, 2022:

Great instructions and those blueprints are certain to come in handy! I love the fact that it is easy to shop once Christmas is over. Thanks for such a useful hub and congrats on your HOTD!

kelleyward on September 19, 2022:

Congrats ercramer on the HOTD! Fantastic chore! Voted upwardly, Blessings, Kelley

Leah Lefler from Western New York on September xix, 2022:

This is great, ercramer! Your blueprints and assembly plans are so piece of cake to follow. This as well reminds me that Christmas is only 3 months away - yikes! What do you use for the people in the creche scene? Do you brand wooden cut-outs to represent the Holy family unit or do you lot utilize plastic figures?

demiwritesagain on September 19, 2022:

Cheers for sharing this! I find it very useful; detailed and very informative! Keep it upwards! :)

kmaskreations on September xix, 2022:

Great hub! Thanks for sharing. BTW, go on in mind when someone ignorant shares a portion of their tiny brain as a annotate to your Hub that is an insult to your good work, you can remove information technology. Personally, I don't let negative comments on my Hubs.

RTalloni on September xix, 2022:

Congrats on your Hub of the 24-hour interval laurels for this detailed tutorial on edifice an outdoor manger. Well done with skillful tips throughout the hub.

Timir Blekko from Boston, MA on September 19, 2022:

I will build something like this using your instructions...cheers for sharing this hub with all of us..

v1p3r on September xix, 2022:

Overnice Work

Voted upwards

WillStarr from Phoenix, Arizona on Baronial 26, 2022:

Good point!

I think I'll build i of these!

Eric Cramer (author) from Chicagoland on August 26, 2022:

Cheers! I though about doing that, simply decided confronting it to continue the master part light enough to carry down to the basement.

WillStarr from Phoenix, Arizona on August 26, 2022:

Good work!

It looks similar you could also hinge the roof to the back wall and then you could just fold it back when ready to store, with the sides folded to the front end as shown.

Source: https://holidappy.com/holidays/How-to-Build-an-Outdoor-Manger

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