How To Choose A Nativity Set

Nativity sets come in several distinctive styles, each of which match a certain holiday decorating theme.

Wood Carvings

These are made to look like the individual pieces were hand-carved from wood, and many sets were. Choose wood carvings if you have a rustic home style or are going for a classic country Christmas theme.

Monochrome

A more modern approach is a whole Nativity set in one color, like a bright white. Choose a monochrome for more modern Christmas decorating themes. White sets fit well with modern holiday themes that make use of unconventional color schemes, like a black and white Christmas.

Realistic

These Nativity scenes are made to look as detailed as possible, with flowing robes on the characters and realistic facial features. These look good in timeless transitional or classic home designs, as many older Nativity sets came in this style.

Kid's Styles

Kid's styles are typically more conceptual. The figures will not be as detailed and have more of a cartoon or toy appearance. For instance, a set might be made of felt and the figures could have little button noses. These work well in children's rooms or play areas.

Clear

These are Nativity sets that you can see through and may light from within. They look good in modern home and holiday styles.

Metallic

Some Nativity sets are made of a metal and usually have fewer details so they look more conceptual. This is another updated style that works well in modern spaces.

Outlined

You might also see a flat Nativity scene that just features the silhouettes of the figures, often in a silvery color. This is another fun conceptual modern take on the design.

Cultural

Some Nativity sets display characters of a certain culture, such as a Nativity set where the characters are all Peruvian. If you're focused on family heritage or exotic cultures in a holiday decorating theme, choose Nativity sets that fit a certain culture.

Most Nativity sets are sized to be tabletop or mantel additions. Individual figures in miniature varieties might measure around 5 inches high by 1.5 inches wide by 1.5 inches deep.

Nativity sets often come with three, seven, 11 or 21 pieces in the set. Three-piece sets often have Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus. Seven-piece sets usually have the wise men and angels added. 11-piece sets typically have a host of stable animals as well. 21-piece sets often have added backdrops like the stable and trees.

It's also common to find sets that come with boxy stables as a backdrop. Tabletop varieties used as an accent might measure around 7 inches high by 10 inches wide by 4 inches deep.

Start by measuring however much table or mantel space you have and decide on set sizes from there.

But outdoor Nativity sets are meant to be seen from the road. Today, it's common to see them as flat pieces that depict Jesus' birth. They may measure around 3 feet high by 2 feet wide.