Decorate in Tuscan Style with Christmas Nativity Scenes
Posted By Mary Freeland on December 10, 2009
Christmas is a time for family, food, and celebration, a joyful reason to gather together. Of course, decorating your home for the holidays can help set the scene for your upcoming festivities, but did you realize it could also be a great opportunity to enhance your Tuscan décor?
Nativity figure set with stable
Like all celebrations of food and family, Christmas is a favorite holiday in Tuscany. During this holiday season, you’ll see lights, Christmas trees, and all the traditional trappings throughout the Tuscan villages and countryside. But one classic Christmas decoration you’ll find in every Tuscan home is a nativity scene. More prevalent in Europe and Tuscany than in many American homes, adding a crèche to your holiday decorations is a great way to continue your Tuscan décor straight through the holidays!
Tracing their origins to St. Francis of Assisi, nativity scenes in Tuscany come in both large and small sizes. Most spread beyond the traditional confines of the stable to depict scenes of village life, creating large-scale displays of merchants, shepherds, peasants, and other everyday folk as well as the holy family, magi, and angels. Complete with animals, buildings, and figurines representing people from all walks of life, Tuscan nativities show a snapshot of Bethlehem underneath the Christmas star. A fun, Italian spin on the classic portrayal of Christ’s birth, these charming nativity displays can be as intricate or as simple as you’d like. For a truly Tuscan take on the crèche scene, though, consider selecting a crèche that extends well beyond the manger.
Fontanini Nativity Set with Ornate Vignette
One favorite—and authentic option—is a Christmas crèche from Fontanini. Today a big name in collectible nativity scenes, these beautiful and elegant figurines were first made in the small Tuscan village of Bagni di Lucca in 1908. Still handmade in Italy, you can get these exquisite heirloom nativities for your Tuscan home’s holiday décor!
Learn more about Tuscan decorating, furnishings and décor when you visit us online at Tuscan Home Décor and Design.
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