Set Your Crèche

Let's install your crèche  

There is no absolute rule for setting your crèche and if you are creative, by all means put your creativity to work! If you prefer to get some guidance however, here is what we recommend:

1. Set a small table or a chest of drawers, or whatever small piece of furniture you would like to use, against a wall in a place which gets a lot of traffic so your whole family and your friends can benefit from the presence of your crèche. The space should be at least 2” x 2” but can be much larger. This year we used a 2” x 4” buffet and it allowed us to create a gel pond!

2. Cover this space with “mountain” paper.

3. Rumple some more “mountain” paper and place it on the wall to make a mountain. Affix it on the wall with strong yet transparent tape.

4. Add a touch of artificial snow on top of your mountains.

5. Place the stable at the foot of the mountain wherever you like.

6. In front of the stable, all along the front of your table, put some white sand.

7. Draw a line of gravel starting on each side of the stable which will delineate a divider between the sand area in the front and the backdrop of your nativity scene.

8. You can add natural moss, bark, rocks, leaves, twigs and even pine cones to your scene to create a natural environment.

9. Put some straw on the floor of the stable.

10. Place an electric Christmas garland through the windows on the side walls of the stable to light the inside of the stable. We also like to add another garland around the edge of the table to provide additional light at night.

 

  • On December 1st 2024, arrange the natural decor and the stable. Place the ox and the donkey inside the stable, the angel above the stable, if possible in a crease of your mountain overlapping the roof of your stable. Be very careful to find a secure spot though, as it could easily tip over, fall, and break! Place the shepherd and his two sheep away from the stable so that they have enough space to start their journey towards the stable. Even further from the stable, place the three wise men. Some people like to hide them until Epiphany. It’s up to you!

​

  • Around December 10th, add Joseph and Mary who’ve just arrived in Bethlehem and have been told there is no room for them at the inn.​​

​

  • On Christmas Day, December 25th, if possible on your way back from church, have the youngest child in your family place the Infant Jesus between Joseph and Mary.

  • On Epiphany, January 6th, the three wise men have arrived at the stable! Place them right outside near the manger. 

​

  • The French keep their Crèche out as late as February 2nd, the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. Feel free to do the same!