How to Make a Large Manger for Outside Decorations

Whether you plan a living tableau or life-size statuary for your nativity scene, the manger will be a focal point. Even in the most stylized representation, the manger should be plain and sturdy. The original was a feeding trough that held straw for animals, and this humble crib is an important part of the nativity story.

Things You'll Need

• 4 pieces of scrap lumber 28 to 30 inches long
• 1 piece of 1-by-1 or 2-by-2 wood 24 inches to 26 inches long
• 2 pieces of 1-by-2 wood the same length as the 1-by-1
• 4 pieces of 1-by-2 wood of equal length, approximately 6 to 8 inches long
• 8 or more thin slats of wood of roughly equal thickness, cut the same length as the 1-by-1 (plaster lathe or floor boards would suffice)
• Water seal (optional)
• Wood stain (optional)
• Nails
• U-shaped brads or staples and staple gun
• Hammer
• File (optional)
• Saw
• Straw

Instructions

1. Find or choose the wood. The width and thickness of the four legs is not particularly important, except that they need to be sturdy enough to hold the doll you plan to lay in it. Remember, the larger the pieces, the heavier the manger will be. The heavier the manger, the sturdier the supporting pieces need to be, thus making it heavier still. To reduce weight, reduce the length of all the pieces first, then width and finally thickness.

   Scrap wood that has been exposed to outside elements would be best. The pieces do not need to "match" in thickness, width, age, color or species of wood. If you decide to use new wood, create a "distressed" finish with a hammer, file, nails and/or saw. Don't use rotted or warped wood.

2. Finish the wood before assembly. Sand off any paint or varnish. Lightly sand areas prone to splinters, using relatively coarse sandpaper (#100 or less). For new wood, consider applying a stain to darken it.

   Apply a water seal such as Thompson's, if desired. Or let the wood weather naturally.

3. Form your plan. The length of the primary pieces will determine the size of the manger. The basic structure is an X-shaped sawhorse with slats nailed along the top inner sides of the X to hold the straw (and "baby").

   The two pairs of legs are each nailed together in an X. The Xes are connected and stabilized by a square supporting piece attached to the underside of the X-crossing and two crosspieces connecting the lower parts of the legs.

   The supporting piece, two longer crosspieces and the slats will be parallel and should be about the same length. Their length will determine the width of the manger. If you are using "found" wood, let the length of the shortest piece decide the length of all.

4. Nail the legs together. Measure and mark each of the four leg pieces exactly the same distance from the end that you intend to put on the ground (about 12 inches). Lay one leg over another and cross them at the place marked, creating an X. Nail them in place at that point. Do this with the other pair. (The lengths of the legs from the X-crossing to their top ends do not have to match exactly.)

5. Stabilize the legs. Nail a 6- to 8-inch crosspiece between the lower parts of the X on each pair of legs. The crosspieces should be the same length for each set of legs and the same distance from the point where the legs cross. The aim is to have the legs match in shape and the spot where they cross be the same height from the ground, so that the strawbox (i.e. bed) doesn't slant.

   Nail two more crosspieces on the upper arms of the X, creating the ends of the strawbox or bed.

6. Connect the legs by nailing the two longer crosspieces to the edges of the lower legs on each side. Stabilize the manger by nailing the 1-by-1 (or 2-by-2) to the underside of the cross points of the legs (i.e. at the point of the "V" made by the lower legs).

7. Nail or staple slats to the upper arms of the Xes, to create the sides of the strawbox or bed. Depending on their width, you'll need at least four on each side. You might use u-shaped brads rather than straight nails to attach these.

8. Cut or cover any protruding nails. File and sand any sharp edges.

9. Add straw and a doll, wrapped in cloth. If using a live child for a tableau, hold the baby; do not put him in the manger.

Tips & Warnings

• Many online sites confuse "manger" with "manger scene." "Manger" refers to the feedbox, not the stable or creche holding all the figures.

• This manger is not designed to hold a real child of any age.

References

• How-to-plans.com: Picture of an X-shaped manger

Resources

• Noblewarriors.org: Build-a-Manger Video