CHRISTMAS CRECHES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

 52 Places to Go: Week 50

Gourd Creche from Chile

Over the years my family has collected a variety of Christmas creches from all over the world.  Some of been souvenirs of our travel, others have been gifts, and some we have purchased at museum gift shops.  We get them out each holiday season and are reminded of all the different cultures that celebrate Christmas.  Here are a few of our favorites.

Knitted Creche from Chile

West African Nativity Figures

Haitian Nativity

Corn Husk Nativity from Mexico

Tin Nativity from Mexico

Ceramic Nativity from Mexico

Swedish cast iron Nativity candle holder

Russian Nesting Doll Nativity

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Every year at holiday time I get out our collection of creches, or nativity scenes, that we have accumulated over the years.  They come from all over the world and often have memories of travels associated with them. This year we have two new nativities to add to our collection, both from Italy. The first is a set of charming tiny (less than 2 inches tall) ceramic figures made by Thun, in Borzano, Italy. It was brought to us by an Italian friend and brings back memories of two special trips we made to Italy in the past year. The second, a teeny tiny one, we bought in Erice, Sicily, a hill town that features Nativity displays of all sizes at Christmas.

I am looking forward to celebrating the holidays with family and friends. With very best wishes to you for a

HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Nativities from around the world displayed in the Connecting Cultures Mobile Museum remind me of our own collection, gathered over the years, often as we have traveled around the world. As we celebrate this holiday season with its message of joy, hope, peace and goodwill, we send best wishes to all of you for a very

HAPPY HOLIDAY

and

JOYOUS NEW YEAR!

Folk Art from the Czech Republic: A Christmas Creche

Paper Cut-Out Creche from the Czech Republic

HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2012!

Note:  This piece was originally posted in December 2010 on my Art and Books blog.  I thought I would share it again as our family celebrates Christmas and gets out our creches, which remind us of the many places around the world that they come from and which embody the joy of the season.

It’s Christmas season and time to get out our creche collection. We just added a new one, a paper cut out creche from the Czech Republic. A week ago we got back from a trip to Prague and Berlin, where we spent Thanksgiving. Christmas lights were up, street stands and shops were filled with traditional Christmas foods (stollen, lebkuchen, mulled wine) and whole stores specialized in hand made decorations, including various forms of creches. I have always been fond of folk art and the simple forms, bright colors have been an influence on my own art. I look forward to cutting out the new creche with my grandchildren when we get together for Christmas.

Christmas Creches from Around the World

Gourd Creche from Chile

Over the years my family has collected a variety of Christmas creches from all over the world.  Some of been souvenirs of our travel, others have been gifts, and some we have purchased at museum gift shops.  We get them out each holiday season and are reminded of all the different cultures that celebrate Christmas.  I'd like to share a few of them and send you best wishes for a VERY HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!

Knitted Creche from Chile

West African Nativity Figures

Haitian Nativity

Corn Husk Nativity from Mexico

Tin Nativity from Mexico

Ceramic Nativity from Mexico

Swedish cast iron Nativity

Russian Nesting Doll Nativity