Gingerbread Nativity

Natalee and my mom made this the first week of December. Isn't it cute?Over the last couple of weeks when people have come into my house, they've asked if I'd please put up the instructions. I do realize I should have done this weeks ago, but our internet has been a bit sketchy. It's Family Night, however I do realize it's late in the day. It might also be a good Christmas Eve activity.
First of all, and this is very important, you must use a stiff frosting and I would recommend a store bought one. Butter based frostings tend to get more soft when left out, so that's why I use a store bought one for stuff like this. It tends to harden up the very best. Also, you don't need to use tons of frosting to make it work. You can put a dab of it under each person and on the edges of the crackers to secure them to the plate...and while we're on the subject, ain't that a festive little plate?

Stable- 2 (square) graham crackers for walls and one for the roof
Roof Tiles– Life Cereal (I am sure you can use any kind of cereal…chex, cheerios, etc)
Fence– 5 stick pretzels

Joseph and Mary – Dot candy (for the body), a Sixlet (for the head), Fruit roll up (for the robe), licorice rope (for the robe tie)
Jesus – Good and pleanty candy wrapped in some fruit roll up
Manger – Charleston Chew (but I am sure a snickers or milky way would work fine…in fact a bite size candy bar would probably be the best)
Animals – Animal crackers