An Easy to Build Christmas Stable

DIY Nativity Stable

A coworker bought a beautiful Nativity set for his wife for Christmas but couldn’t find a stable to go with the set. He asked if I could help him out and make one… The DIY Nativity stable is made used solid 1/4″ x 6″ boards that are fastened together using glue and brad nails. Beautiful green forest moss is added to the stable to complete the look.

Materials:

• (<– affiliate link)
• Wood glue
• Forest moss (Spanish moss can also be used) (<– affiliate link)
• White glue

Lumber:

• 2 – 1/4″ x 6″ x 24″ craft boards
• 1 – scrap piece of thin cardboard

Cut List:

• 1 – 1/4″ x 6 at 14″ – Base
• 2 – 1/4″ x 6 (ripped to 2-1/2″ wide) at 8-11/16″ – Sides
• 6 – 1/4″ x 6 (ripped to 1-1/4″ wide) at 12″ – Joining Slats
• 2 – 1/4″ x 6 (ripped to 2-1/2″ wide) at 8-13/16″ – Roof

Notes About the Project:

• Use a miter saw or miter box and handsaw to cut the angles in the boards.
• Lightly sand any rough edges with a sanding block.
• A fast setting adhesive such as DAP Rapid Fuse (<– affiliate link) would be an excellent choice for glue!
• I used Walnut craft boards but any other species would work.
• The white glue (such as Elmer’s) is used to adhere the moss to the floor and back of the stable. It works really well and dries clear.
• The same Nativity set can be purchased here.(<– affiliate link)

Step One

Cut the pieces for the base and sides. Cut a 30° angle in the top edge of each piece for the side. Secure the sides to the base using glue and 5/8″ brad nails. The sides will be positioned so that the back edge of the side pieces are flush with the back edge of the base.

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the joining slats. In this step, two will be used to stabilize the sides so the roof can be attached. Secure one slat to the top of the sides (below the angle) using glue and 5/8″ brad nails, then secure one slat to the bottom over the base and flush at the sides.

Step Three

Cut the pieces for the roof and cut a 30° angle in one short edge of each piece. Using one of the joining slats, cut two roof braces, triangular shaped, with a 60° angle on each side. Apply glue along the peak of the roof and press the pieces together. Secure the roof braces on either side using glue and 5/8″ brad nails.

Position the roof assembly on the sides and secure using glue and 5/8″ brad nails.

Step Four

Add the remaining joining slats to the back, evenly spaced, securing in place with glue and 5/8″ brad nails.

Sand any rough edges, and finish the stable as desired.

Step Five

To add the moss:

Lay the stable on the piece of cardboard and trace around it. Cut out the shape with scissors and glue it to the back of the stable.

Apply white glue to the cardboard and press the moss in place. Be liberal with the glue, and note that the moss will make a mess! Secure the moss to the floor of the stable in the same manner.

Have questions about the DIY Nativity stable? Leave a comment below!