Nativities from around the world

December 16, 2019 Christmas Travel Destinations

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I started collecting Christmas nativities or Christmas creches from around the world when I was a teenager. I loved the small details in each one and how they were all so unique. It seemed like a great souvenir that I would actually use.

If you haven’t noticed from reading yet, I love Christmas, I love Christmas travel, I love Christmas decorations and I love reminding myself on the meaning of Christmas. I am excited every time I open up my Christmas decorations and get to look at my nativities and remember the trip I took to get them.

In addition, I love that I get a glimpse inside how different cultures celebrate Christmas and it makes me feel connected to the rest of the world celebrating Christmas together.

At this point, I have 52 nativities from all over the world! I don’t know that I can handle any more, but if they are really teeny tiny, I don’t know how I can resist.

Willow Tree Nativity, sculpted hand-painted nativity figures, 6-piece set

Sentiment: ”Behold the awe and wonder of the Christmas Story” written on Enclosure Card
Six hand-painted resin figures, tallest is 9.5”h. Includes Mary, Joseph, shepherd, donkey and two sheep. Packaged in one fitted box ready for gift-giving...
As a Christmas gift, wedding gift or self-purchase, the Willow Tree Nativity continues on as a family tradition. Packaged in fitted box ready for gift-giving.

Table of Contents

Why Christmas Nativities make great souvenirs and gifts

Christmas nativities are great souvenirs and gifts because they are something that most people will actually use! Even if they are only used for one month of the year, they become treasured pieces of Christmas decor.

Peruvian Nativity sets

Stuffed doll nativity

This colorful beauty was a gift from Peru. I’m talking about the stuffed figures in the far back. It is lightweight and squish able so it is very easy to pack. Plus it is kid friendly!

Small clay nativity

In the foreground on the left is the nativity my husband bought me when he was in Peru.

I love their little round bodies, cast in clay and delicately painted!

Fold up nativity

The nativity with the doors on the candlestick is my 3rd Peruvian nativity. I love how different they all are!

Peruvian Nativites you can buy online

This nativity is very similar to my adorable clay Peruvian nativity.

Ten Thousand Villages Peruvian Ceramic Nativity Set 'Peaceful Sleep Nativity'

Authentic Fair Trade Product. Ethically sourced and 100% handmade.
Hand-painted ceramic nativity
7 piece set: Baby Jesus, blanket, Mary, Joseph, sheep, llama, ox

Or this one

Andean 8 Pc Ceramic Nativity Set in Wooden Basket

8 pc set in basket
Handcrafted of ceramic
Wrapped in cute wooden basket

This little open door nativity is a different color than the one I have, but so beautiful.

NOVICA 243892 Blue Andean Christmas' Wood retablo

Authentic: an original NOVICA fair trade product in association with national geographic
Certified: comes with an official NOVICA story card certifying quality & authenticity
Product info: plywood and ceramic

African nativities

Two of my sisters travel to Africa for their jobs very regularly and as a result, I have quite a few African nativities. I love the bright colors, unusual shapes and unexpected materials that are used in the nativities.

I have this beauty from Uganda

This one from Kenya that is made from leaves from banana plants.

and this one from Lesotho that is made from scraps of fabric, wire and rope.

This carved beauty is from Uganda and holds the record for the most pieces in a nativity set.

Nativities from Africa that you can buy online

This one is very similar to my Kenyan nativity.

Sale

Global Crafts Nativity Set Handmade in Kenya from Banana Fiber

Handmade in Kenya from banana fiber
Fair Trade Product
The tallest piece is 4 inches high. 5 1/4 by 7 1/4 inch handmade banana fiber box for storage.

This one is the exact same nativity I have and it benefits Ugandans with disabilities.

Ornaments 4 Orphans Handcrafted African Bark Cloth Hut Fair Trade Nativity

MADE WITH BARK CLOTH - Traditional bark cloth and natural materials from Uganda
HAND MADE IN UGANDA - Created by our artisan partner, Uganda Artists with Disabilities
FAIR TRADE ITEM - Buy an ornament, help a child. It's as simple as that. Sales support orphans and other vulnerable children.

This one is different from any that I have but I think its beautiful!

Maisha Fair Trade Sustainable Corn Husk 10 Piece Black Nativity Scene

Approximately 3.5 inches tall to 1.5inches
Uniquely crafted, no two pieces are alike
Handcrafted using Fair Trade practices to protect and sustain the African artisans

Nativities from the Middle East

Olive wood nativity

My very favorite nativity is one made of Olive Wood from Bethlehem. If you visit you can pick out the individual pieces and make sure you are happy with each one.

It doesn’t really feel like Christmas until the nativity is up.

Palestinian Nativity

This is another favorite (I mean they all are!) and I love that it is kid friendly and nearly indestructible. The figures all wear traditional Palestinian dress.

Middle Eastern Nativities you can buy online

Here is an olive wood nativity from Bethlehem and it is extremely similar to the one we own and cherish.

Holy Land Market Olive Wood Nativity Set with Stable. Deluxe (15 Piece Set)

Deluxe Hand Carved Nativity Set From Bethlehem.
et includes: Joseph, Mary, Baby Jesus (in his crib), Three Kings, a Shepherd (with staf), and animals.
The height of the figures is about 6.8 inches.

Unusual Nativities

I have been enamored with the jet black nativity sets I have seen. I really, really wanted one, so I took to my favorite place to find unusual things….Ebay! This gorgeous set weight over 30 pounds and cost a ton to ship, but I grin every time I put it out.

It is made of soap stone, and can break if handled roughly. (When my youngest was 3 he wouldn’t leave the cow alone.) It is a gorgeous piece and we display it on a platter from Amman, Jordan.

Here is a version in white that is also so beautiful

SMOLArt Soapstone Eight Inch Nativity Set - Handmade in Kenya

Set is hand carved from soapstone in Western Kenya
The largest piece in this nativity set is approx. 8 inches tall
Total of 12 pieces in the set

Handmade nativity scene

This nativity wasn’t bought on a trip to a foreign land, but made by my sister with souvenirs from other travels. My whole family dressed up in dish dash from the Middle East, traditional Jordanian dresses, and the men wore Keffiyeh traditionally worn by residents of the Levant region of the Middle East.

Our props were copper, brass, and wood carvings from all over the world.

My sister took pictures of each of us, developed the pictures, and modpodged them to black painted blocks of wood.

It is one of my all time favorite nativities! It is an easy thing for any family to do, and I highly recommend it as a gift.

How to display a nativity collection

I have struggled to find room to display all my nativities in different locations around the house. A few years ago I came up with my favorite way to display them, and that is en masse. I have a few special or large nativities set up on the mantle or a console table, but the majority live on a bookshelf.

To make room for all of them, I have had to be creative. I bought some tall and thin candlesticks and some unfinished plaques at the dollar store. (I have also seen the plaques at the craft store.)

I set the plaques on the candlesticks and display some smaller nativities there. I often tuck in pieces of greenery, some mini led lights and it always looks beautiful.