Thursday, December 17, 2009

SHOW & TELL #16 - Nativity Scenes & Santa Clauses

I am finally getting around to posting again on Show & Tell. Please visit My Romantic Home to participate and to see other Show & Tell posts.

I am showing this Nativity Scene mainly because of it's age. I can't remember specifically when we purchased it but I know it was some time in the 60's which would make it over 40 years old. It has been on display in all the homes we have lived in except for the years 1999-2004 when we were traveling in our 5th wheel. When we sold our home and packed up things our oldest daughter, Suzette, asked us for this set which we gave to her to use. When we returned to our home in 2005 I asked for it back!!!!! I couldn't imagine Christmas in my home without it. It will eventually be hers as she has spoken for it. The tallest Shepard is 10" to give you a feel for the size.

I decided to show this when I unpacked it last week to set up. It is in the original, old, tattered box in which it was purchased. When I noticed the price on the bottom of the box I thought it would be interesting.


As you can see it was purchased at Tar*get for the price of $19.99 and it was made in Japan.


Here is our large outdoor Nativity Scene. We only have the 3 pieces, Mary with Baby Jesus, Joseph and one Shepherd. The angel to the right is a permanent item in our yard year round. Mickey always buys a few bales of hay to form a somewhat manger.
These pieces were purchased about 9 or 10 years ago.


This shows it lite up at night. I love this set. We have tried to locate additional figures. that match, to add to it but have been unable to find them.


Our family has always enjoyed decorating at Christmas time with both the main reason we celebrate Christmas - Jesus, but have always been fine with having Jolly Ole St. Nick around too.
This adorable St. Nick was painted by Suzette as a gift to us when she was 19 years old so he's been a family fixture for a long time too. He is solid and weighs 14 lbs and is 15" tall. He greets people in our entry hall.



This wooden Santa being lifted to the roof by the three adorable elves was made for us by our son-in-love, Dave, as a Christmas gift shortly after he and Suzette were married 15 years ago. He is in 2 pieces (in order to be able to store him) and Mickey has to put him together and then mount him as one piece.

The night view.
Mickey use to put lights up all across the roof and around the entire house but he only did the front including the garage and the garage side this year. Last year, due to his heart bi-pass surgery in October we had not outdoor decorations. It's so nice to have them back up this year.



If you'd like to see a Partridge In A Pear Tree wall hanging I did 44 years ago and hang each and every year go here. Go here to see The 12 Days of Christmas tree skirt I did 24 years ago and is still under our tree today. I showed some Vintage Candles I've had for almost 50 years here. These little candles are in various places around our home.

Thanks for letting me share some of our beloved Christmas items that truly have memories and make our house the home it is.

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24 comments:

Maxine said...

You know, there is nothing like those precious "old" things that have been with us year after year. Thanks for sharing yours with us. Everything is so like you and Mickey and the wonderful memories you two share together from the years.

Brenda said...

The outdoor Santa and elves is so cute and unique.
We just set up our little tree I found 'curb' shopping. It stands 5 ft. tall and the only thing that was wrong with it was the lights didn't work. Anyhow, it was reachable in our storage so we set it up in the corner of our bedroom. Originally we thought we'd be in our own place by now, so I am missing my Christmas stuff. But it'll be fun to pull it out next year.

MightyMom said...

very pretty!!

Debra said...

Really enjoyed seeing these lovely things. Especially enjoyed the nativity scenes. We used to have one that looked somewhat like yours (the indoor one). Don't know what happened to it!

R. Charles said...

The nativity scenes are pretty, but I have to admit that the *winking* Santa is a real cutie! Happy Holidays

Mari said...

Your nativity set is classic. I really like it! The climbing Santa is so cute!

Momma Roar said...

My favorite outdoor nativities are the ones where Mary is holding Jesus!! :)

Hootin Anni said...

I love the Santa climbing the garage!! How it's lighted up at night too.

AND the heavy winking plaster Santa, I have one just like it.

My Show n Tell is a gift to me from years ago...ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH

Anonymous said...

I have a hand carved nativity set from Mexico. I've never had the right place to set it out. It's quite large. I just mentioned to Dave last night that I would like to offer it to Alicia for their apartment. They didn't even get a tree this year or last. At least she could put the set out each year and enjoy it. It would also be a nice keepsake :)

Gattina said...

What a nice nativity scene, all your decoration is beautiful.
We have a very big nativity scene which my husband got when he was 2 years old. As there were no Christmas trees in Italy everybody had huge nativity scenes. His is handmade and if we would put up the whole village it takes the size of a dining table for 12 persons ! It's now in the attic until a grandchild arrives. We celebrate Christmas now at our son's place.

A Hint of Home said...

Hi Susan,
Hope you and your hubby are doing well.
I love your nativities inside and out.
I posted mine today, too.
Have a Merry Christmas!

Diann @ The Thrifty Groove said...

Hi Susan!

Thanks for sharing your holiday Christmas fun with us! Your decorations make your home look happy and inviting!

Have a wonderful day!

Kathy said...

You talented Lady! I love the Nativity sets you have. I especially love outdoor sets....I am keeping my eyes out for one. Thank you for reminding us how important tradition is for the home. : )

Beth @ The Quilt Ladies said...

Very nice, have a wonderful holiday

Blue Creek Home said...

I love all of your nativities, especially your older one.

And the ourdoor tour was fun.
Everything is so festive!!

(Make sure you enter your lovely nativities in the party on Monday @
http://www.janmary.com/) I will be there!

Rhonda

TQ said...

Hello Susan,

All your treasures are lovely, making your home warm and festive.

Thank you for your kind words on my blog, and I defiantly like the title of your blog, great thinking ;-)

Until next time, I wish you good health and heaps of happiness.

Merry Christmas to all ... and to all a good life.

Decor To Adore said...

Such loveliness has me swooning with happy sighs.

Unknown said...

I just love it when the old tags and original marketing are on the box!

$19.99.... back in the 60's was pretty pricey. This is beautiful!

~Liz

Sandra said...

Your decorations are beautiful.
I really enjoyed all the Chanukah cards you sent us.

Mrs4444 said...

No Christmas is complete without a nativity scene. Mine is contemporary, but I also have one a lot like yours :)

Stopping by via MightyMom's recommendation. She said you live in OK. Anywhere near Tulsa? My sister just moved there...

Unknown said...

So very festive!! and what a blessing to have several things given to you by loved ones..

Stephanie said...

I love your outdoor nativity set. I have been wanting to get one of my own for a while now, and saw a set outside of the Goodwill across from our church last weekend. We were headed into church, so I waited until we got out to go by, and of course it was gone by then.

Joy said...

Oh that Nativity scene is beautiful. Your house looks great indoors and out. I love that stack of Santa and the elves. That is a perfect place for it.
♥ Joy

Crystal said...

Your nativity sets are wonderful! I always like coming to see what you share on Fridays. And I really enjoyed getting to know you better, a few posts back :) Enjoy your worship service tomorrow and this last weekend before Christmas!