DIY Wood Nativity Scene
It is time to begin to craft your Christmas decor! We are introducing a new project for you, this DIY wood nativity scene.
My handcrafted heirloom set has found a cozy home on my fireplace mantle. And a plan to make another few sets to gift to family members who will enjoy them year after year.
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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Woodpeckers Crafts. All opinions are 100% mine.
A Sweet Little Silent Night
This DIY Wood Nativity Scene has been a project that I have had in my mind for several years. When Woodpeckers Crafts offered their complete library of wooden items, I felt like a kid in the candy store! I began setting up a scene in our craft lab with a box of small wooden items, bringing in my child-like imagination. You can see a behind-the-scenes photo of my process below.
Once I organized all of the wooden pieces that would create the structure of each character, I chose a color palette of wool blend felt and craft paints to add details. To enhance the color of the natural wood, I chose paints in a "wood stained" brown, white, and a pale grey blue. And yes, a touch of gold paint for a bit of sparkle. I picked a soft white and dove grey wool blend felt for added details.
For this project, I wanted to create a simple Scandinavian style that would be easy for anyone to recreate, even in their own color palette.
Let's Make It!
In the right column, you will find the complete list, with links, of materials I used to create this adorable nativity scene to decorate my mantle this Christmas.
In the download folder, you will find a PDF template for the felt pieces and an SVG if you want to use your cutting machine. There is also a printable PDF with detailed instructions, and I have broken down each item you will use for every character so you can easily follow along.
Let me know in the comments if you are making this set for yourself or as a gift for someone you love. I imagine it is a set that will delight little ones. I know it makes me smile. Isn't that why we craft? To create joy? And what a perfect time of year to do so.
Happy Christmas Crafting!
P.S. Check out more of our other Woodpeckers Crafts collaborations if you enjoy making wooden craft projects.
Mary, Joseph & Baby Jesus
Shepherds & Sheep
Three Wise Men & Angel
Tools
Materials
- 1 Baby Peg Doll - 1 3/8"
- 7 Peg Dolls - 2 3/8"
- 1 Medium Angel Peg Doll - 2 3/8"
- 12 Wooden Balls - 3/8" (for large hands)
- 15 Wooden Balls - 1/4" (for small hands & sheep's feet)
- 2 Wooden Balls - 1/2" (for Mary's hair & wise man gift)
- 1 Mini Bowl - 1 1/2" (for manger)
- 1 Thin Dowel - 1/8" x 12" (for staffs)
- 1 Flower Pot - 1/2" (for wise man gift)
- 1 Toss Ring - 1 1/2" (for wise man hat)
- 1 Bean Pot Candle Cup - 5/8" (for wise man gift)
- 1 Spool - 1/2" (for wise man gift)
- 2 Miniature Bowl - 3/4" (for wise man & shepherd hats)
- 2 Wren Egg - 7/8" (for sheep heads)
- 1 Chunky Star Cutout - (above stable)
- 2-3 Circle Cutout - 4" (to add height to center of scene)
- Wool Blend Felt - 1 White and 1 Dove Grey
- Felt Balls - Cotton 2cm and Cotton 3cm (for sheep)
- Americana Craft Paint - Snow White, Gold, Terracotta and Williamsburg Blue
- Stacking Rainbow - (option for building arches)
- Wood Mobile - (option for building arches)
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Discussion
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23 Comments
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June
January 12, 2025 at 6:27pm
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Lia
January 13, 2025 at 9:15am
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Alli
January 10, 2025 at 1:49am
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Lia
January 10, 2025 at 9:19am
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Lauri
November 21, 2024 at 11:54am
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Lia
November 22, 2024 at 8:53am
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Lia
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Lia
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Lia
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Lia
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Leave a CommentI made two sets of the figures but cannot afford the wooden rainbow. I love the look though. Does anyone have a suggestion for something to substitute?
Yes, watch the video and I show you some cute options. 🙂
This is a beautiful set. My mom collects nativity sets and I’d love to make this for her (and me). Is there a bundle where you can buy the materials needed in one bundled set? Or do we have to order pieces individually?
Unfortunately, you have to put them in the cart individually. They put together a bundle at one point, but it had the wrong items. Though we do LOVE Woodpecker as they have a great variety of wood items.
A comment below asked about the arches & disks and your reply stated that they are all in the supply lists above. However, all I see are the disks for Mary, Joseph & the baby to be set on. Do you have links for the arches & the larger disk for the whole nativity to set on?
It looks like they were deleted but I added them back in.
This was the sweetest project. I may have to make another–1 to give, 1 to keep. Thank you so much for the inspiration. I have now gone down the rabbit hole of peg dolls-how many interests can one craft room hold? 🤔😂Merry Christmas and Thank you for all the wonderful project ideas.
You and me both!! I love making peg dolls. 😉
I just loved this project! I made it for my daughter for Christmas. She really loved it.
Share pics! This is one of my favorites too and I think I might make them as gifts next year.
I’ve downloaded the zip file but it says windows cannot extract any of the files in the zip file. I’m not having this problem with other patterns so I’m not sure if it’s the file or my computer. Thank you!
I just checked the file and it seems to be fine on my end. Maybe try a different browser?
How do I order the whole kit?
You will find the links for each item below. Maybe we can create a kit in the future.
Have you considered selling the nativity as a kit rather than individual pieces?
That is a possibility! I would love to hear how many would be interested in it. 🙂
I think that’s a great idea. I would prefer purchasing a kit even though I am purchasing individual pieces
What is the blue portion at the very bottom of the Nativity that the Nativity seats on top of.
I am using one of the arches from the set and laying it on its side. I then just added blue felt to the edge and a thick piece of card to the top for them to sit on.
What is and where can I get the circular structure the nativity is on?
The arches and the disks are all in the supplies links above.
I adore this nativity! Thank you for bringing some beauty to the season!
It was so fun to make! And easy. 🙂
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