Nativity sets are another thing that I collect besides teapots. My sister has a much larger collection than I have but it is something that we share in common. I love the variety and am always drawn to them when I see them displayed in homes or in stores.
One year at our church I organized a Nativity Show of sorts. Folks brought in their favorites from their collections or from their stash of decorations and wrote up a little bit about their set. It was really a fun event and even if the attendance was less than I had hoped I think the ones that stopped by enjoyed seeing such a myriad of nativities.
A couple years ago I wrote about my favorite set from my collection. It is imperfect at best but it is the one that I grew up with and sometime a long, long time ago my Daddy asked me if I wanted it for my home. Of course I did. You can read the story behind this special one by clicking here.
I realized this year that I might have found the perfect place for my second favorite nativity set. It is one that came from Chris’s dad’s home and he treasured it. He bought it after Christmas deeply discounted from a local garden and decor shop and he was really proud of it. I was so happy when we were able to take it home with us after his death and have displayed proudly each year. But this year I think I found the perfect place for it. On the mantel above the fireplace.
I love the delicate detailing and the facial expressions on the faces of both the people and the animals.
Do you have a favorite nativity that you put out year after year? Is it old? Is it new? Does it have some sentimental value? I would love to read about it in the comments section. Remember that each comment made on any blog post during December means a 50 cent donation to CRASH — you can read more about that by clicking here.
18 Comments
Leave a commentThat’s a gorgeous set! And it fits beautifully on your mantle.
The set I have is from Willow Tree, I think they sell it at Hallmark. I like it because Mary is holding Jesus, and it so perfectly fits a children’s book called “The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey.” It’s the story of a woodcarver who is commissioned to carve a nativity set for a widow. I used to read it to my kids every year, so when I found this set I HAD to buy it!
Thanks! I love the Willow Tree set and have it as well. As a matter of fact I keep it up year round on my buffet. I will have to check out that book. I have not heard of it and I know it would be a perfect addition to my library. Thanks for sharing.
How beautiful! Looks perfect up there too.
Thanks, Dawn. I do love it and I am happy that it looks so nice on the mantel here. I had it on the hearth the past couple of years but changed it up a bit this year and like it even better.
Beautiful! And your nativity displays at church was a great idea. I would have come! A few years ago my younger son went with friends to Frankemuth and he asked me if I wanted anything. I had been wanting a large set, and he found a pretty one.
Oh I have never been to Frankenmuth but know all about it. That was THE perfect thing to get there. I bet it is beautiful.
Beautiful! I loved it when we had our little community nativity display.
Me, too. You were my biggest supporter, as always!
I collect nativities also. Is it in our blood 😜
Of course it is in our blood! Thanks for stopping by!
I love this post for so many reasons, number one being that it focuses on the reason for Christmas, the birth of Jesus.
Second, I absolutely love that Nativity from Chris’ dad. What detailing. It’s one of the most beautiful sets I’ve seen.
Third, I love your idea of a Nativity Show at church. This may be an idea I will implement at my church. When did you hold it? I would like a few more details when you have time to share. After Christmas is fine and just email me.
Finally, my favorite Nativity set is one crafted by my maternal grandpa. He built the wooden stable and made the pieces from plaster of Paris. So it holds sentimental value.
Glad you liked this post. Sorry it took me a bit to get to the comments. Busy time! The nativity event was just a casual drop in kind of deal. I think we did it in early December and had them on display over the weekend with hours set up for viewing . Of course we had treats to eat as well (what United Methodist would I be without offering cookies?) and hot chocolate and coffee. We held it in fellowship hall and everyone brought them in on Friday night, I think, and filled out little information cards about their particular nativity. They could put any details they wanted to share on the card and then it just laid in front of the scene. It was fun to see all of the different styles and this was one of my favorite things that I spearheaded over the years. Of course everyone is super busy then and I think I was a bit disappointed at the attendance but that was silly. I should have just been glad for those who came. I did publicize it in newspapers, etc. and we had quite a few folks from outside that visited. You could make it be whatever worked for your church — tie it in with your winter festival, have it on a Sunday after church, etc. It was a really fun thing to do.
love it!
Thanks, Virginia!
Amazing!! I love it. I too collect navlty sets. I look for different ones that I haven’t seen before. I guess I have about 25 or 30 so far. Just bought a small one today. I honestly love them all.
I would love to see your nativity sets, Shirley. It is such a great thing to collect and there are so many different types. I have found so many that are so interesting over the years .
Hi, Beth Ann. Many years ago one of our Charleston bicycling/College of Charleston friends organized a nativity scene show at Mepkin Abbey, and it’s still continuing! I have a DVD that I’d love to share with you. Here’s a relevant link: http://mepkinabbey.org/wordpress/2018/02/2017-mepkins-creche-festival/
I think you’re right about the perfect spot for this really lovely wooden set, and I love to see Pretty Place behind it! Annette
Thanks for the comments and the link, Annette! I love it and will be sharing it with others as well!