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Who can choose between the large Greek "Fatni" fold-out creche and the small German pop-up krippe? They fold down flat for easy storage, and, with a simple opening motion, reveal the Nativity in three-dimensional splendor.
What is it about these paper constructions that so enchant us? There's the miracle of the Christmas story, of course. But also, for many of us, the joy of having created so long ago our very own Christmas tableau from a printed sheet with scissors and glue. But even if Christmas Creches have not been a part of your past, you can discover their beauty, history, and why they have captivated so many eyes—and hearts.
 | | Creche Collections
Superb examples of the art of the paper crèche
Armchair crèche travelers can now head North of the border, to neighboring Canada, and see the beautiful crèche collection of L'Institut Canadien de Québec—courtesy of our friend and Crèche Guild Member Anne Robert whose incredible photographs almost make us believe that we're looking at the real thing. A big thanks, from all of us, for a job well done, Anne! |
 | | Crèche Sheets
Do-it-yourself nativities
A pair of scissors and a little glue is all that is needed to turn these colorful sheets into three dimensional table-top nativities… |
 | | Crèche Tree
Create a beautiful Christmas tree with your nativities...
The tree stood by the round glass window, almost touching our 11-foot ceiling. No ornaments adorned it, yet, just tiny lights that filled the darkened living room with an ethereal glow.
That’s when the thought came to me: a Crèche Tree!
A dash up four floors to the attic, and small-to-tiny crèches came flying out from display cabinets and storage drawers.
I was amazed how easily they tucked between the boughs, how wonderfully they were lit by the tiny bulbs, how beautiful they looked among the green branches I kept wondering why I hadn’t thought of this before.
I have shared our Crèche tree with you on my Christmas Video, but you have requested to take a closer look... |
 | | Fold-Out Crèches
From two dimensions to 3-D in no time flat
After all these years, I am still enchanted by what marvelous nativity scenes can be created by two or more sheets of paper. Popular among collectors, these lovingly lithographed and embossed marvels fold flat for easy storage. But with a simple motion, they unfold to reveal a 3-dimensional depiction of the Nativity that enchants young and old. |
 | | Gingerbread Crèche
Angela and Anna Gier create an unusual nativity for a friend...
What do you give a friend who's got everything — especially nativities?
Angela Gier and her daughter Anna set out to create a one-of-a-kind crèche... |
 | | Kubasta Nativities, Christmas Pop-ups, Winter Scenes Poscards & 3-D Postcards
Vojtech Kubasta's pop-up crèches enchant the young and the young at heart…
No paper nativity site is complete without the work of the Crèche King—Kubasta!— Czech artist, paper engineer, author, and illustrator who has beguiled us with his magnificent pop-ups, illustrated books, and nativities. "He loved drawing pictures for children," says his daughter Dagmar Kubastová Vrlkjan. "His life's ambition was to enrich the lives of children." And in the process, he's also enriched the lives of all of us who who will always be children at heart… |
 | | Manger Scenes
Table-top nativities
Manger Scenes (or Manger Cribs, or Christmas Scenes) are creches that neither pop-up, or fold-out. Rather, they are assembled with lock-tabs (or glue) and are intended to be displayed on a table-top, shelf, or showcase. |
 | | New Crèches
The latest paper nativities in our collection
Check here to quickly find the latest additions to our growing Crèchemania —and virtual — crèche collections. |
 | | Pop-up creches
Open the covers, and a 3-dimensional nativity springs to life.
Three-dimensional representations of the Nativity have graced churches, public buildings, city squares, and private homes ever since St. Francis of Assissi is said to have created the first creche. When enterprising publishers such as J.F. Schreiber in Germany took up the theme, children—and adults!—could at last have their very own 3-dimensional Nativity—that they could close and put away until next year. |
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