Nativity

I love nativity sets. I like to have them out in December to remind us of the real reason for Christmas, and have one in each of the kids rooms. I like them to play with them, and become familiar with the story. This year, Jane carried several of the baby Jesus pieces around with her, rocking them, singing to them, and sleeping with them. She would take the baby and put it next to the Mary and say "Mommy." Just darling.

I bought this one from Precious Moments before Rebekah was born. I've added pieces since then; an angel, drummer boy, camel, donkey. Each year, I mean to buy the wise men, and then don't get around to it. This year, I actually went to a few stores looking for them, but they were all out. Oh well, next year .... This one should go in my room - but we don't have any surfaces, that are practical to put it on (too high.) So I put it in the office, where the Little's couldn't reach it, but I could still see it.

When Rebekah was little (about Jane's age), she was fascinated with my porcelain one, and not gentle! I saw this one at Mormon Handicraft, and thought it would be perfect for her. So simple, and chunky and unbreakable. I kept it in her room - which is where having one in each kids room started. This year, it was in Jacob's room.

When I was pregnant with Emily, I made this one for a friend, and liked it so much I made a duplicate for myself. Again, totally unbreakable, and the kids can play with it (though it's not as much fun to play with the pillows.) It's a cute decoration, and sits in the living room.

When we moved into this house Rebekah got her own room and was building a great playmobile collection, so we got this set for her room. It's still the one she uses (minus the cardboard background, which is long gone.)

I really don't remember when we got this one - I think it was while we lived in Brooklyn, maybe when Emily was about to turn 1. It used to be the one in Emily's room, but this year we left it out by the fireplace, and it became the one the kids played with the most.

This is the HABA one we added this year, and my new favorite (I have long been a fan of HABA, and since it's made in Germany, I am not as worried about the paint, or it's safety.) I put it in Emily & Jane's room. This is the baby Jesus that Jane would pick up and rock and sleep with each night. I love the characters. I love their faces, and chunky bodies. I love the bright colors, and how many pieces came in the set.

I'd like to give the kids each one (or 2) of the nativity sets when they start their own families, so they can have one of the one's they grew up with for their kids, but this one I think I'd like to keep forever for myself.

I'm sure I'll add more in the coming years. I'd like to find one that looks like the one in "Mr Kruger's Christmas." Any particular one's you love?