Fisher Price Little People®  Nativity Gift Set

Parents want their kids to learn the true meaning of Christmas, and the family nativity set is often at the center of that teaching. However, small hands on often expensive nativity scenes and sets may not be an ideal situation. This is where the Fisher Price Little People®  Nativity Gift Set comes in. This 11 piece set is colorful, durable and can hold your kids' attention. When they put baby Jesus in the manger they will see the hay light up and they will listen to Away in a Manger and Silent Night. Opening and closing the stable door activates fun animal sounds. When they slide the star they make the angel spin ’round. Sets that include the shepherds and the three wise men are also available. According to Fisher Price's product site "Palm tree fence pieces let kids 'connect' the stories of The Three Wise Men, Lil' Shepherds,and the Nativity—from Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem to Jesus' birth in stable."

The set:

• 11 Piece Nativity Set
• Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, 4 animals, donkey cart, food bin and manger
• Requires 3 AA batteries

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Fisher Price Little People® Nativity Playset 11 Pieces NEW Great for Christmas 

Manger requires 3 AA batteries.

Collecting nativity sets and scenes

You love nativity scenes and sets.  They have been a part of your life since you were a kid, and, perhaps, setting them up on Christmas Eve was a very special event your family.  For whatever reason, collecting nativity sets and scenes, or individual parts thereof, is a fascinating hobby.

The first thing you need to do is decide what your collection is all about. For instance, you could choose to collect sets from a particular country. Italy would be a great idea. After all, St. Francis of Assisi is credited with being one of the popularizers of the idea. However, every country in every age has added its own unique touch to the nativity scene.

You could also focus on the material used to create the sets. You could collect nativity sets made of metal, ceramic, onyx, fabric, wood, cornhusks, reeds, plaster, papier mache, etc., etc., etc.  The French produce their small clay Santons.  You can get beautiful hand molded and painted figures fom Italy.  There are beautiful carved wooden scenes produced in Africa.  Olive wood nativity sets come from Israel's West Bank.

You can collect nativity sets that look realistic or more modern sets. These generally have fewer figures, simpler lines and more subdued colors, such as the Willow Tree Nativity sets/scenes.

Think beyond traditional figurines with a stable. The nativity scene is available in many forms. Think pictures, Christmas ornaments, music boxes, snow globes, calendars and sculptures incorporating the nativity scene.

Many collectors go after figurines from collectibles companies such as Precious Moments, Hummel,Lenox, Fontanini, Jim Shore, etc.

More ideas are available ideas on how to collect nativity sets from the Friends of the Creche. This is a collectors’ society accessible through The Marian Library Web site at www.udayton.edu/mary/gallery/creches.html.

For specific types of nativity sets, see the following:
Willow Tree Nativity Set
Willow Tree Christmas Story
Fontanini Nativity Sets

Christmas Nativity Sets: The Willow Tree Nativity Sets

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For those looking for nativity sets that have a different look and feel from the more traditional sets, the Willow Tree Nativity Set and the Willow Tree Christmas Story Set  provide excellent alternatives.  Both sets have the look and feel of folk art.  At the same time they express, in a simple and elegant way, peacefulness and serenity.

The Willow Tree Line of figurative sculptures reveal their expressions, meanings and feelings through body gestures.  Faces are left un-carved. Some interpretation is left to the beholder, providing a more personal experience of the nativity.  According to the information provided on the Willow Tree website, "the name Willow Tree was chosen to symbolize that which is gestural and beckoning. The figures are columnar in design, like a tree, and often carry natural objects or animals as metaphors for human virtues or qualities... rosemary for remembrance, a bird for healing, flowers for beauty."

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The artist, Susan Lordi, hand carves each sculpture.  Each piece is cast in resin from the original carving, and then are individually painted by hand.  Susan uses family and friends as models.  Again, according to the website, "Softly washed colors, carved and metal accents, and representative icons of nature mark Susan's work."

Both nativity sets convey all the qualities of the Willow Tree line.  The Willow Tree Christmas Story Set is the larger (in figure size) and more colorful.  It has a more finished feel to it, while still conveying a folk art simplicity.  The Willow Tree Nativity Set is smaller and the coloring is more subdued with a more roughly carved appearance.  Both sets are available with varying numbers of pieces and prices.  You can start small and add to the sets as fast (or slowly) as you choose.  Both sets have their own backdrops and accessories.