Christmas decoration Praying Joseph V1 in MDF

Advent is here and the first candles are lit. But the windowsill still needs the piece that makes this year's Christmas decorations special. With the Praying Joseph nativity figure made of HDF, you make that piece yourself. Paint it, stick things on it, decorate it – just as you like. The result is a figure that looks made for your nativity scene, because it really has passed through your hands.

What changes for you

• You can start crafting straight away, with no preparation. The figure is laser-cut and has smooth edges, so there's no sanding needed.
• Your paints, varnishes and glues stay put. The HDF is untreated and takes paint directly.
• You get exactly the size that suits your nativity scene or your window. Choose from 5 to 50 cm in 1 cm steps.
• You can easily supply craft groups, school classes or the Advent bazaar too. Sets of 10, 25, 50 or 100 pieces make it simple.
• You're holding neat craftsmanship in your hands. Every figure is made in our own production in Pößneck, Thuringia.

Why this nativity figure makes a difference in everyday life

Shop-bought Christmas decorations often look the same everywhere. A nativity figure you've designed yourself tells your story instead. You can leave Praying Joseph plain in his natural look or paint him with care. Either way, he brings calm and something handmade to Advent. And because you choose the size freely, he fits any arrangement – neither too big nor too small.

Material & finish

The figure is made from 3 mm thick HDF/MDF fibreboard. It is sturdy enough to stand up, hang and decorate, yet easy to work with. Laser cutting gives smooth edges and a clean outline that guides you as you paint. The board is untreated, neither varnished nor glazed. That makes it an ideal base for your own designs. Good to know: fibreboard always shows fibres in varying shades and small irregularities in its structure. This is not a defect. It makes every figure one of a kind. HDF is a fibreboard like MDF, only more densely compressed. This makes it harder, and it stays stable even when thin.

Dimensions & technical details

• Material: HDF/MDF fibreboard, untreated
• Material thickness: 3 mm
• Motif: Praying Joseph V1
• Height: 5 to 50 cm, selectable in 1 cm steps
• Reference size: at a height of 10 cm, the width is 8 cm
• Cut: laser cut, smooth edges
• Made in Thuringia, Germany

How to use the nativity figure

• In the nativity scene: place Praying Joseph with the other figures. Your crib for Holy Night then clearly shows your own handiwork.
• In the window or on the Advent table: a painted figure in warm candlelight. The room instantly feels more Christmassy, without much decorating.
• Crafting with children: every child paints their own figure. In the end you have a little nativity scene that everyone is proud of.
• In model making: use the cutout as a blank in exactly the right size. You save yourself the effort of sawing it out by hand.
• For nurseries, parishes or Advent bazaars: with sets from 10 pieces, every participant has their own blank. No cutting, no preparation – ready to go.
• In a café or shop: decorate your counter or shop window for Advent with figures you've designed yourself to match your concept.

Good to know about Praying Joseph

Joseph has been part of the nativity scene for centuries. He stands as a quiet, praying companion beside Mary and the Child. The tradition of nativity scenes goes back to Francis of Assisi. He is said to have set up the first Christmas crib in the 13th century. With this figure, you carry on this custom and create your own scene for Holy Night.

Care & durability

There isn't much you need to do. Store the figure in a dry place and protect the untreated material from moisture. That way it keeps its shape and will be with you for many Christmases. Sealing it with paint or varnish after decorating makes the surface even more durable.

Options & what's included

• Height of your choice: 5 to 50 cm, in 1 cm steps
• Available singly or in sets of 10, 25, 50 or 100
• Supplied natural: untreated, not varnished or glazed

Frequently asked questions

Can I paint the figure and stick things on it? Yes. The HDF comes in its natural state. You can coat it, paint it and stick things on it with standard craft paints and glues.

Do I need to finish the edges? No. The laser cut leaves the edges smooth, so you can start decorating straight away.

Why doesn't the surface look the same everywhere? HDF/MDF is made of pressed wood fibres. These can vary in lightness and show small irregularities. That is exactly what makes every figure one of a kind.

Is the figure suitable for outdoors? The material is untreated and should be protected from moisture. For outdoor use, we recommend a protective coat of varnish.

What you get is a piece of fibreboard in the shape of Joseph. What it gives you is the moment your self-designed nativity scene stands for the first time in Advent. And you know that no one else has one like it. Just choose the height you want and get started.