Paddle Pop Stick Nativity Ornament

This Paddle Pop Stick Nativity Ornament is an easy DIY decoration you can make with the kids. 

Every Christmas, I change the colour scheme on our tree. I also interchange between a silver tree and dark green pine tree.

I do love a Scandi inspired Christmas décor scheme, with white and timber, but I always seem to revert to a bright colour scheme each year.

For something different to break up the colour, I thought a timber nativity ornament would be ideal. Instead of finding what I was looking for at the shops, I decided to make one. I’m pretty happy with how it turned out.

It’s a rustic decoration and looks quite effective. I left Mary and Joseph out as I thought they would get lost in the verticalness of the backdrop. But you can add them. I chose not to, creating a simple manger instead.

When making this craft, I used a hot glue gun to ensure each paddle pop stick stuck well. To make it more friendly for younger children, PVA Glue could work too.

Sharp scissors will also be needed to cut the sticks to create the star and manger. I used fabric scissors that were made blunt from a previous craft project.

Once the nativity scene is glued together, tie some twine through the roof, and hang it on the tree.

Materials

• Paddle Pop Sticks (approx. 18)
• Hot Glue Gun
• Scissors
• Twine

Instructions

The following images show step by step how to make the nativity ornament. 

1. Line 11 paddle pop sticks together in a row. Use another paddle pop stick to keep them level.

2. Add the two paddle pop sticks to brace the base.

3. Add the roof

4. Make the star by cutting a paddle pop stick in thirds.

5. Add the star.

6. Cut a paddle pop stick in thirds to create the manger and baby. 

7. Put twine through the top near the star so you can hang your decoration. When it comes time to glue each piece together, be quick with the hot glue gun as it can dry quickly. Poor baby Jesus is sitting upright in the manger due to placing glue at the wrong angle. 

8. Your ornament is ready to hang on the tree… or on a hook. 

Other Paddle Pop Stick Crafts

• Paddle Pop Stick Rainbow
• Foldable Paddle Pop Stick Card
• Paddle Pop Stick Catapult