Nativity Peg Dolls

 

Leif poses with the small army of Nativity People (and Animals) that I made for all the little local cousins as Christmas presents.

As a  child, I loved to play with our creche, but I was in constant fear of breaking things, especially the camels' spindly legs!

I figured Leif and his cousins might like to play with the Nativity People, too, and it would be nice if they (and their parents) didn't have to worry about anything breaking.

Enter the wooden peg people Nativity Scene.

From the Left, Sheep, Donkeys, Camels, Angels, Shepherd 1, Shepherd 2, Joseph, Baby Jesus in front, Mary in Blue, Wise Man 1, Wise Man 2, Wise Man 3, Star.

Each of the Wise Men carries a present (each of the three carries a different one), and each Shepherd carries a Shepherd's Crook.  The Angels have little wings on their backs :)

It took me around 5 full days to paint all of these little peeps, animals and stars.

I was going to leave the little Baby Jesus' heads bare, but I asked Twops and she said to do the little curly cue hair on his head.  I did, and now that's my favorite thing of it all! :)

This is an individual grouping (what each family got) pulled out from the large bunch.

They were each packaged in a little muslin drawstring bag (Susan made them) that I had stamped Joyeux Noel onto, and tied with a Christmas-y or plain ribbon.  Of course, I forgot to take a picture of all that in the Christmas rush.

 

Close up of the little faces and terrific haircuts that I gave some of them (heehee).

Overall, I was pleased with how they came out, but when I saw how some other (more artistic) people had painted their peg dolls online, it made me want to cry :\ they were so good.

Nevertheless, Leif loves to play with his set, and I think it will help build his understanding of Christmas as he plays with them each year.

Maybe next year I'll add in King Herod and soldier characters for an element of good v. evil.

Or not.

:)

Quick Leif Story of the Day: As mentioned in previous posts, Leif has actually taken to Mary Poppins after watching it twice.  The other day, I began to sing (song bombed by the movie playing in the background as I baked the day before): "Oh, it's a jolly holiday with Mary...." at which Leif burst out in song, "Mary makes the sun shine bright!" <3