Germany, Breisach

These are very small pyramids from Greisach, Germany. Samuel and I went there on a Viking River Cruise with many dear friends of ours. This was the first place we stopped and the first gift shop I walked into. The store was full of Nativities, but I thought that I really didn't need to buy all of them or even the first ones I saw, but I couldn't resist buying some. I bought 20 ornaments to give at Christmas and this small pyramid. My ability to resist isn't very strong.

 

This is the group we traveled with. From the top: Lee and Debbie Clegg, Samuel, Brent and Loraine Jameson, me, Richard Ray, hand on Ann Ray, Julie and Dave Curtis, and Mark and Alonna Randall. It was a once in a lifetime trip for Samuel and I, and we loved every minute.

Unknown

 

If anyone ever figures out where some of these sets are from, I welcome the information.

France, Strasbourg

I bought this piece of lace in Strasbourg, but it had a maker's mark on it stating it was made in Germany. Strasbourg is very close to Germany, and therefore it has been conquered several times by Germany. Our tour guide told us that her mother said the following: "I was born French"... then during WWI the Germans took over, and she was then forced to be German. She had to speak German, and she had to change her name to a German one. Even the names of the streets were changed to German names. The French were liberated, and everything went back to French. Then WWII happened, and the Germans ruled again, and everything reverted to German. France was again liberated, and they all went back to French. She said her mother now says that she is European, not French or German.

Europe somewhere

I'm certain this Nativity is from somewhere in Europe. It is so sweet, and each little flower opens up to reveal some sort of gift as in an advent calendar. This one may be from Prague.

Czech, Prague

 

Another sweet paper Nativity. This one is from Prague, Czech Republic I believe. The translation on the paper states it is a Prague Nativity scene.

Kenya

 

Wood carving from Kenya. It is about 8 inches tall.

Germany

When we were in Germany and France, we saw a lot of these cute dolls. They are called "smokers," because you can put a piece of incense in them for burning, and the smoke comes out their mouths. Most of the dolls also have a pipe. I thought they were so cute, but I couldn't find the perfect one, so I did not buy one while there. When I got home, I just couldn't stop thinking about them, so I searched and found this cute guy. In the picture that advertised him, it called him a Christmas decoration salesman. The picture did not show what he sold, but I took a chance anyway and bought it. To my surprise and delight he sells a Nativity. How perfect.

Netherlands, Amsterdam

 

I bought this matchbox-size scene in Amsterdam, Netherlands at the Church in the Attic Gift Shop. There was a time in the Netherlands that the only recognized religion was Protestant.  As a result, if you were another religion and wanted to stay that religion, you had to hide. A family lent their "attic" space to be used as a Catholic Church. The first 3 or 4 floors of the house were the home of the people that lived there, and the next 3 floors were the church. It was pretty amazing. The house was maybe 20 feet wide but 7 stories tall. We counted 12 staircases. Below is a picture of the chapel. You can see the entire width of the house in this picture and all 3 floors.

France, Strasbourg

 

Strasbourg, France is famous for their nesting storks, so while visiting there I had to find a Nativity with a stork in it. I love this little pewter set. The baby Jesus is so big compared in size to Mary and Joseph. Below is a photo of the nesting storks. The legend is, if you set out a sugar cube at night, the stork will come and take it and leave you a baby.

 I also bought this very tiny hand-painted set made of metal. The pieces are less than an inch tall and very detailed.