I am posting this, but I need to run some errands in a few minutes. I will be online again in a few hours.

Please, talk amongst yourselves. If the thread dies before it gets some life, I'll be bumping it later today. I reeeeaaally want to try this.

Is this some great Home Owner Association caper to get you Outta Palm Beach County?

Well here's a picture of one 53" high and 74" wide for idea purposes.

(This one costs $285 to buy pre-made.)

I should also mention that I am a female with no building experience, but I do have one or two people in mind who will probably assist me if I cry loud enough. I'd like to try this first, myself.

Edible Manger

Ingredients:

• paper baking cup
• chocolate pudding
• shredded wheat cereal
• pretzel nugget
• mini marshmallows

Directions:

1. Fill baking cup half full with chocolate pudding.
2. Have each child shred one shredded wheat biscuit over the pudding to represent the hay.
3. Place the pretzel nugget on the hay to represent the body of baby Jesus.
4. Top the pretzel nugget with a mini marshmallow to represent the head of baby Jesus.

I realize it's not what you had in mind,
but it's something to keep the kids busy while you struggle with the real thing.

LOL. I don't have any ideas for you, but this thread reminded me of the episode of King of Queens where the Jerry Stiller's character couldn't find the Joseph for his nativity scene, so he used a wooden indian from a cigar store in Joseph's place.

Make sure the three wise men have firemen's hats and everything else will fall into place.

In your list of supplies, make sure you buy a Weigh.

The whole point is to have a Weigh in a Manger.

I've seen those things called "mangers" also, but it's actually the shed or stable.
The "manger" is actually the animal feeding trough that they put hay and staw into to make it a baby's cradle.

I wonder which one she wants to build?
Maybe both?

Frankincense and myrrh

Myrrh... what does a baby do with myrrh?

This sounds like a job for Mr. Duct Tape and Mrs. Chicken Wire!

How big of a manger are we talking about?

You could always cut down a shoebox and splay out the sides, laminate the inside and outside with wood pattern shelf paper. By the time you put in the hay and arrange hay on the outside, nobody will know it's shoebox.

If you want something a different size or more permanent, you'll have to find a friend who has some carpentry skills or learn how to make one yourself.

Good Luck

Okay, my funny FReepers...I want to build the *shelter*, not the feeding trough. I actually got outta PBC last year, but it is disturbing that not one house in my neighborhood is adorned with the Nativity so far this year. Lots of fake snowmen and reindeer, though.

The tallest figures are around 28 inches high, which I neglected to mention. As for buying one in a store, I can't afford it this year. I thought a homemade one would be more special, anyway.

:)

Now, if cost is an issue and looks aren't...

...later tonight, go behind some large store and pick up some of those wood pallets. (A smaller quaint stable will require 3.) You might have to trim some edges off depending on style; however, use one for the back and one for each side. Getcha a dozen or so 2" - 3" wood screws and just assemble like a wood box. And as we all know, every good garage has a piece of plywood hidden in the garage knowing that "I'll need this someday". Use the plywood for the roof and screw down. With a little brown paint, you got yourself a stable. It was heavy enough to withstand about a 30 mph wind. After the season, (which lasts until Epiphany in my yard) just unscrew the 4 pieces and store under the deck or in a corner of the garage. I always saved some hay from bale used in our Fall decorations to line the bottom of the stable.

**or learn how to make one yourself**

That's what I'm hoping to do with help gleaned from this thread.

I mean...I can change a lightbulb, and hang pictures on the wall. I helped build a tree fort when I was a kid. Whatever boards and nails we could scrounge up wound up hammered into a tree in the woods.

I realize building a Shelter/Structure for the Nativity is a bit more involved, but I can learn. "Primitive" is what I'm looking to build.

Brilliant idea! Do you have a picture you can post? I have to pick up my daughter, but will be back in less than an hour.

Thank you :)

How heavy are the pallets?

Sorry, but no picture on my work computer.

Each pallet is single person carryable (sp?) but don't fit easily into backseat.

I also don't recommend the late night retrieval without asking first. There's usually cameras watching.

This is what you're looking for.

They weigh about 35 pounds each.

PS: I know you were looking for pictures of the stable but what the heck...hahahhahah

Do they give the pallets away or are they reused? And if they're reused, therefore, "retrieving" a few pallets would be stealing. I'm sure you're not condoning I steal them, so I'm definitely missing something. I just wouldn't fathom building a stable from stolen goods for the Baby Jesus & Holy Family.

It depends on the store. You may get a few for free or you may have to pay a few bucks....or they may say no. Some shippers own the pallets and the stores are expected to return empties.

You really should just go ask the store manager if you can have 3 pallets instead of driving up to the back door and assuming it's okay because they are sitting there and some stock boy says it's okay.

Go to any store/supermarket that has it's stock trucked in and you should be able to find some pallets. Try the local dump, too.

Good Luck

BTW: Try Home Depot or Lowes or OSH, too