Nativity Props: the Stable and Manger

Baby Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger. Christmas play props & accessories add an extra touch to the manger scene making it more realistic to the audience.

Manger

What is a manger? It’s a trough (or a feeder) made of wood, stone or metal, used to hold food for animals. Mary needed a place to lay her newborn baby and found that a manger would hold her baby safely.

It’s difficult to find a wood manger to use as a prop. Many deer feeders are perfect, but they can cost a lot… and then what do you do with it after Christmas?

Here’s a kid’s book caddy that looks just like a manger. It’s made of pine and fiberboard. And after Christmas you can use it as a bookshelf and a place to store toys. 25″ x 16.5″ x 16.5″

Nativity Stable Backdrop

Here’s a realistic nativity stable backdrop that is perfect for your Christmas play. On this flat plastic backdrop are pictured are the stable, the Star of Bethlehem, and animals, with a dark star-lit sky. Comes as 2 pieces, 9’ x 6’ assembled.

DIY Nativity Stable…

If you want to build your own stable, here are two videos that can help!

Straw Bale

You could include real straw bales in your stable. But here’s a neat idea… wrap this plastic straw tablecloth around a cardboard box! You get the illusion of a straw bale without the straw. And you can store this table cover a lot easier than a real bale of hay! 108″ x 54″

Bethlehem Backdrop Banner

Create a nativity scene for your Christmas pageant by hanging this Bethlehem backdrop banner. Help the audience visualize the town of Bethlehem as they watch the Christmas play. It comes as a 2-piece set, and when displayed is a total of 6 ft. x 6 ft. The panels are easy to store for use year after year.

Starry Night Backdrop Banner

Use this starry night backdrop banner as a background for the journey to Bethlehem, the shepherds in their fields at night, and for the journey of the three wise men.