How to Make a Contemporary Creche

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Jeffery Rudell, contributor

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For a soldier serving far from home, this modern holiday creche arrives in a simple envelope but will bring with it all your hopes and sentiments for the season.

Jeff Rudell

Bold shapes and bright colors put a distinctly contemporary spin on the traditional nativity scene.

Jeff Rudell

An understated envelope offers little clue to the surprise within. What better "Christmas Card" than to send the whole Christmas story in one package?

Jeff Rudell

For a soldier serving far from home, this modern holiday creche arrives in a simple envelope but will bring with it all your hopes and sentiments for the season.

Photo: Jeff Rudell

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If I were sending this gift to someone far from home, I would likely invite all the members of their family to each take a card and write a message of love and support on the back of it. For me, whose family is spread far and wide, the holidays have always been less about getting together once a year to share a dinner and exchange presents. For me, it has always been the season to reach out and remind the ones I love how deeply I care for them and how close to my heart I hold them (even when we're separated by great distances).

I am grateful to all the members who so generously offered me ideas and suggestions. For those creative crafters whose ideas I didn't choose, I offer this challenge in return, why not try your own hand at the wildly extravagant or deeply challenging idea you offered up to me. Chances are, if you can conceive of it, you can, with a little work, a little patience, and an occasional willingness to make mistakes and begin again build a dream project all on your own.

To those readers who regularly follow this post, you will remember that last week I mentioned that this week's post would be "suitable" for a guy to receive or create. For anyone still confused, I would ask you only to imagine each of these creche components the way I initially imagined them: as jigsawed and painted pieces of hinged plywood decorating a snow-covered lawn. As a child, I remember watching my father fabricate a snowman, a santa, a sleigh, and a variety of elves with only his handy Black & Decker saw and a few festive cans of paint. As the final project of "Guy" week, I offer this paper version as a maquette of the full-sized lawn version I envisioned. For the devoted woodworker in your life, these bright and bold figures promise to make him the envy of each passing neighbor.

A small card of white paper with a piece of brightly colored paper glued in place on the inside flap was the beginning of my bold and modern menagerie.

I photocopied a package of butter to get the shape of this cow. Then, I traced it onto a white card and cut it out using a craft knife.

For the horse shape, I took a photograph of a small, plastic horse figurine and then outlined it using Photoshop. I then scaled it to fit my card.

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Contemporary Creche
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Comments (13)

healthfood writes: I thought this was going to provide a stencil of some sort. Great concept to do from scratch with older kids, but being a mom with little ones, I wouldn't have the time or energy to do that. If anyone cares to share their stencils on the project, you'd make a happy mamma here in little land.
Posted: 12:16 am on December 4th

dotted writes: How fun! This is also good for the folks who move a lot; students, truckers, airline folk, people in small homes, or just because you want to give something special. I know it's best to cut inside the paper but for those of us who aren't there yet or for kids, could I cut in from the outside? And if so is there a good way to seal the cut?
Dot
Posted: 8:58 pm on December 21st

Jeff_Rudell writes: mistah's comment points out an oversight on my part, chiefly that the "Noel" envelope is intended only as packaging for storing the nativity components. I would still recommend a sturdy manila envelope be used to when sending this item through the mail in order to protect your creation from dirt or damage. Think of the "Noel" envelope" as the project box and the manila envelope as the wrapping paper that hides your surprise. Thank you, mistah.
Posted: 6:48 am on December 17th

mistah writes: I think this is an absolutely wonderful idea! I can't wait to show my nieces and nephews how to do this---not only for Xmas, but also for birthdays and other holidays. A word of caution about the outside enevelope, however. It would be a shame for those beautiful creations to get destroyed by automated machinery used in the USPS. If anyone is inclined to cut the letters "Noel" (or any other phrase) out of the outside envelope either use clear tape on both sides of the cut, or a very strong paper weight. I'd sugesst the former or not cutting it. There are billions of letters going through our machinery and things get caught, torn, etc. Not always, but it can happen. I'm just sayin...
Keep those creative juices flowing!
Posted: 4:47 am on December 17th

LAURAMCHUGH writes: Jeffery you are the Paper Master. Everything you do is done with such care,time,talent and great skill. I am always impressed and waiting to see what you come up with next. This has simple clean lines and would look great in any home or office. I am a middle school art teacher and know that sometimes the simplest looking designs are usually the hardest to acheive. Congrats on acheiving a clean line holiday theme project that we all can attempt. Thanks for sharing you talents. I use this site and share your great projects with my students and they to are amazed. Keep up the great work. Happy Holidays, Happy Crafting and we look forward to more of your great project designs in the new year. You should market these. xoxoxox
Posted: 4:12 pm on December 15th

Carriecan writes: This is shockingly great! I agree with the other comment--I want to BUY this--I don't think I could make mine so beautifully--and the colors you chose--just perfect
Posted: 3:12 pm on December 15th

Asia_Tatiana writes: Oh my, I am absolutely thrilled for my idea to have been considered! Thank you Jeffery! And as for this project...it is amazing, wonderful, and so beautiful. I love how you are able to render a simple idea so stunningly. Thanks again for the shout out!
Posted: 3:06 pm on December 15th

AWilcox writes: I am speechless, what a wonderful HOLIDAY Treat! I know so many people who would love to have something like this as a decorations around their homes, under their tree, on the fireplace mantel, on a nearby coffee table or any display area during the holidays!

This is magnificent, great work like always. I don't even want to attempt making this - just tell me how can I buy this? It makes a terrific Christmas present that can be cherish for years.
Posted: 2:47 pm on December 15th

brooklynflower writes: Jeffrey, I love this one!!! All of your ideas are always beautiful, but this one is achievable by virtually everyone at any skill level. LOVE that it packs flat as well- a lovely gift to make! --Steph Gueldner
Posted: 2:03 pm on December 15th

Peggy123 writes: Wow! What an amazing idea, as always!
Posted: 1:59 pm on December 15th

halfaperfectpair writes: This is amazing!!
Posted: 11:41 am on December 15th

wildenfunky writes: Oh JEFFERY!!!! To have your talent!! This is truely divine!!! And so special that you can send it to people. Thank you so very much......yes, MaryCorbet, the 'sendability' is very exciting!! Merry Christmas everyone, from a sweltering Zambia!! :) lvoe Adrien
Posted: 9:46 am on December 15th

MaryCorbet writes: Very nice!

I like the simplicity and the "sendability" of it...
Posted: 8:36 am on December 15th

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