Nativity

[PunkyP0WER]

OK, nobody harpoon me here! :lol:i know Christmas is a ways off (or we'd like to believe it is) but i've been on the hunt since last holiday season for a new nativity. i had kind of mismatched one last year, i used figures from 2 different sets and though it looked nice enough i was never satisfied with it. i had 3 nativity sets throughout the house last year but the one i speak of was supposed to be the showpiece one, the one that had the grand spot on the living room coffee table near the christmas tree, yet for me it never lived up to its "position"





so i found a new one today for $10!. and it is so elegant. i usually don't go for the figures that come in all white (you know, that lenox look) because i prefer the colorful ones instead. but i came across this set and it was too beautiful to pass up. it looks just like a lenox set but i think looks even better. the photo may be a little washed out but the angel's hair is blonde and all the figures have a regular tan skintone color.



it really goes with the downstairs decor because we have a white and gold kind of look downstairs. and it goes perfect with the gold nativity cathedral i bought last year (pictured below). the cathedral mirror looks small in the photo but its 2 ft. tall. anyway, you have to picture the figures sitting in front of the cathedral backdrop with the felt snow blanket i place under the scene. the only thing i don't like about it is that the shepherd is an old man with a long gray beard. i'm used to the shepherd being a boy with a lamb slung over his shoulders as thats how most sets depict him. so i'll have to deal lol.




anyway, what do you all think?

[Marvo301]

That is a beautiful nativity Kim. And it will look even more beautiful with the gold cathedral behind it.

[PunkyP0WER]

thanks marvin! i can hardly wait to put it out. maybe when i do, i'll take a pic to share with the board so they can see the whole effect with the cathedral, and the snow blanket that has the flecks of silver glitter on it. and then to kind of light it up so you can see it at night i frame each side of the scene with those light up color changing clear acrylic trees (even though i don't think they had pine trees in bethlehem lol). i don't want to toot my own horn but it really is a sight because the trees reflect off the cathedral mirror along with the glow from the christmas tree. its so serene

[Marvo301]

You are so creative Kim and I bet your house is gorgeous at Christmas time (and the rest of the year too!). Have you ever considered being an interior designer? I bet you'd be good at it!

[PunkyP0WER]

not to be conceited, but besides teaching early american history as a dream, i always fancied myself good at decorating. and many people tell me that as well. i think it'd be fun but i wouldn't know where to begin even if i did seriously pursue it.


i'm the same way with fashion as well. i get complimented a lot in regards to how i dress and most of my family asks me for advice if theres going to be a family event.


the funny thing is though most of the stuff i buy is so, cheap, for lack of a better word. i don't mean the quality. obviously if it looks like its going to fall apart in a day i won't waste my money, but i'm a bargain hunter at heart and try to get the look for less whenever possible. most of the stuff i buy i get cheaply from walmart, family dollar or ebay and once in a while a tag sale. and honestly you'd never know the difference. in the living room i recently bought 2 pictures from family dollar that were $10 each but when mixed in with the rest of the decor and how well they match with it, you'd think they were $50 or more each.

[PunkyP0WER]

the nativty display is just important as the christmas tree to me, as its the reason for the season. this will be my 3rd in 3 years which is disappointing as i wanted one that would be a tradition to put out each year and a heirloom to pass on one day but i'm never happy with them. i have a feeling though this one is going to be a keeper.

[Marvo301]

There's nothing wrong with being a bargain hunter. Although I like to call it treasure hunting. I like to "treasure hunt" at places like Value Village and Walmart.

[PunkyP0WER]

There's nothing wrong with being a bargain hunter. Although I like to call it treasure hunting. I like to "treasure hunt" at places like Value Village and Walmart.
we're cut from the same cloth marv! :) you speak my language

[MrCleveland]

I've been trying to find a good one too. Sure, I have a few small sets and one that I tried to collect but it didn't do too well, but I'd like to have one that I can show everyone everywhere.

Like the Fontanini Nativity Set.

[Pitooey]

I think it looks beautiful. Over the years I've been putting up different nativities under my tree as well.

[PunkyP0WER]

here's a better picture of my set.

[PunkyP0WER]

I think it looks beautiful. Over the years I've been putting up different nativities under my tree as well.
thanks pitooey.

[Pus$y Galore]

That is a REALLY nice one Kim!

Funny, I'm not religious, but back in 84 I bought my mother the Precious Moment's Miniature Nativity set for Christmas and as you say, it's as important as the tree to me. The Christmas before last, we didn't celebrate, but I still had to put the Nativity up at least.

Over the years, I wanted to get the buildings for the set, but could never find them. I ended up with a really nice wooden manger, have added other PM pieces around it, palm trees, "ancient" water jugs, etc. and even sand all around it. I'm pretty proud of mine too. I put it up in a wall unit that has lighting behind it. I could never put anything like that under the tree with all the pets. lol

[PunkyP0WER]

That is a REALLY nice one Kim!

Funny, I'm not religious, but back in 84 I bought my mother the Precious Moment's Miniature Nativity set for Christmas and as you say, it's as important as the tree to me. The Christmas before last, we didn't celebrate, but I still had to put the Nativity up at least.

Over the years, I wanted to get the buildings for the set, but could never find them. I ended up with a really nice wooden manger, have added other PM pieces around it, palm trees, "ancient" water jugs, etc. and even sand all around it. I'm pretty proud of mine too. I put it up in a wall unit that has lighting behind it. I could never put anything like that under the tree with all the pets. lol
thanks cathie. you're nativity set sounds beautiful as well. i like the extra details you described with the jugs and the sand you added. my original set that i had for the first 2 years was the wooden manger and i think that looks more realistic and evokes the meaning of the story - the King of kings being born in such humble surroundings - instead of the gilded palace mine looks like:lol:. i too bought accessory pieces. each year walmart has individual pieces you can buy for $1 or $2 like extra camels and the jugs you spoke of.


i feel the same way about the importance of the nativity. even if i didn't put my tree up for whatever reason, the nativity would be enough to make it christmas for me.


i'm glad to see you back cathie. we sure missed you around here. :)

[Pus$y Galore]

That's sweet, thanks Kim!

I think that's where I get some extra pieces too. Also, here in Canada we have a big chain of automotive/hardware/seasonal/housewares stuff called Canadian Tire and they carry a lot of really good extras fairly cheaply too.
You can get great stuff at Michael's, but of course you'll pay an arm and a leg there.