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One of my first Christmases after moving to Washington, D.C., I visited the National Cathedral. An Episcopal church of neo-Gothic design, it’s the second-largest church building in the country and one of the tallest structures in D.C. I was expecting only to tour the beautiful cathedral and see the city from its observation tower. What I didn’t realize is that one of its little-known holiday features is a display of Christmas nativities from around the world!
The Start of My Collection
Although I’m not religious, I love the holiday season. Mulled wine, silver tinsel trees, scary retro Santas: I love every part of Christmas, the shinier and gaudier the better. Which is funny, because my favorite Christmas nativity up to that point was the simple white porcelain set my mother had displayed since I was a child.
But this was different: so many countries of the world, each interpreting the same story through their own culture and native materials. Felted wool, carved wood, corn husks, metal, stone, terracotta and more. Some of the handmade nativity sets were intricate or ornate, and others very simple. The figures usually represented local ethnicities. I pored over the exhibit of world nativities for hours.
I decided then and there that I needed my own collection of Christmas nativity scenes from different countries. So in my travels, I have sought them out in local shops and markets. It’s easier to find them in countries where Christianity is the predominant religion, of course. And it helps if you’re traveling during the holiday season. But that hasn’t stopped me from trying in every country I visit. I was even able to find one in Kyrgyzstan! Made from felted wool, it’s only the Holy Family, with a round wool yurt to store the pieces in. The little dolls are so sweet that it might be my favorite.
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My Nativities From Around the World
Ukraine
In Ukraine, their matryoshka (nesting dolls) are each different, compared to Russian matryoshkas which are successively smaller dolls. Ukrainian matryoshkas tell a story, with each size showing different scenes or characters, so I was really excited to find one of the Christmas story at a local market. It’s one of my most unique world nativity scenes!
The Holy Family, wise men, shepherds, lamb and dove.
Guatemala
I was able to find a few nativities when I visited Guatemala, all made from different materials. The nativity of large wooden statues is one of my favorites!
Just cute. 
Mexico
In Mexico I found what I like to call a “portmanteau gift”: one souvenir that combines two things you really really like! I bought two similar Mexican nativity sets – one each for me and my sister – since we both love nativities and Day of the Dead. I also found the cutest church nativity – check it out below!
Peru
In Peru I went a little crazy and bought almost every nativity I saw. Maybe it was euphoria from surviving the Inca Trail hike, maybe it was altitude sickness. I just kept finding cuter ones. How adorbs is the little llama shepherd Holy Family nativity? Peru was definitely my best destination for adding to my collection of nativity sets from different cultures and countries!
So cute! 
I loved the colors and the small size of this nativity! 
This nativity was so simple and a nice contrast to the others. 
Loved the detail on this piece
Italy
I cheated a little on this world nativity – it’s actually a gift my mother brought me this year from her first solo trip to Italy. It’s only about two inches high, but I just love the smooth carved olive wood and embracing figures!
Kyrgyzstan
Are you ready for my favorite world nativity? The nativity from Kyrgyzstan is so cute it makes me squeal. Made from felted wool, it’s the three dolls of the Holy Family, with a yurt to store them in. A tag inside listed the artisan’s name as part of a fair trade women’s cooperative.
National Cathedral Exhibit
If you’d like to see the National Cathedral’s exhibit of world nativity sets, it begins each year around the end of November. The exhibit changes each year, as only 80 are on display from the collection of 800. Click here for info on their holiday season!
Starting Your Own Collection
If you’d like to start your own collection of nativities from around the world, or if you’re looking to buy them as gifts, I recommend asking sellers in local markets during your travels. Ask at your hotel for help in translating “nativity” if you don’t speak the local language or won’t have a guide. Sometimes market sellers know what other shops have, and are willing to bring it to you. (I assume the other seller gives them a percentage!) Or to jump-start your own collection, here are a few online retailers that offer world nativities:
- Serrv.org
- LDS Living
- HandmadeHope.com
- Or check Etsy – I’ve had my eye on this gorgeous felted wool set from Israel for a while!
I’ve even been able to find some international sellers on Amazon that offer nativities from around the world.
What do you collect from your travels? If you have questions about my collection, or if I’ve inspired you to collect nativities from around the world, feel free to leave a comment or message me!
Pin my souvenir world nativities for later!
