Large Indoor Nativity Sets

Mia Jones Interior Design Expert

Mia is a freelance bathroom designer and writer with over a decade of professional experience. From space planning, cabinetry, storage solutions, and tile design to hardware and fixture selections, she knows a thing about creating baths that strike a perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics.

Updated 01/04/2021

If you are really into the holiday for more than just the presents, then you more likely celebrate the birth of Christ as a staple of your decorating. And there is nothing that says this reason for the season than a large, indoor nativity set. Put them in your home, or your church, and show everyone what you believe Christmas is more about than just the stuff.

Buying Guide

How do you set up an indoor Nativity scene?

To set up an indoor Nativity scene correctly, it’s important to adhere to the proper formations.

First, place the stable centered in the area where the Nativity scene will be located. Next, the manger should be centered in front of the stable because baby Jesus is the central figure of the story.

You can place Jesus in the manger right away, or you can wait until Christmas Eve or Christmas Day because this is the time of his birth in the narrative. Some people feel it is more appropriate to wait until this time to add Jesus to the scene.

Mary, as the mother of baby Jesus, should be placed on the right side of the manger, as she is the second most important figure featured. She should look down at her child in the manger. Joseph can also be placed next to the manger, though he can be placed further away than Mary.

Group the shepherds and wise men together in the scene, but the shepherds should be closer to the manger, because the wise men arrived last. Place animals in herds without blocking the other figures already setup, or their path to the manger. Place the angels on the roof or inside the stable.

On Epiphany, January 6th, move the wise men inside the stable to mark their arrival. This is also the day that the Nativity scene should be taken down, as the twelfth night after Christmas.

How many pieces are in a Nativity set?

Nativity sets may contain as little as three pieces to 21 pieces in a set. The three-piece set contains Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus, while the seven-piece set has the Wise Men and Angels included. The set containing 11 pieces includes the pieces from the two sets mentioned above as well as a host of stable animals. Finally, the large indoor nativity set which is the 21-piece set has all of the above, including backdrops like the trees and stable.

When should you set up a nativity scene?

If you're wondering when's the correct date to put up your Christmas nativity scene, then you're not alone. The good news is there are a few options, such as the day after Thanksgiving, the Feast of Advents, or Christmas eve. The most common option is the first day of Advent. However, if you're looking for more specific steps on putting up your large indoor nativity set, then why not do it gradually.

For example, you can start on the first Sunday of Advent by putting up the stable and the empty manger. Thereafter, add the animals on the second Sunday of Advent and the villages on the third Sunday of Advent. Mary and Joseph should be added on the fourth Sunday of Advent, and on Christmas Eve, you may place baby Jesus in the manger.

This makes it feel more like a tradition that the entire family can engage in. The nativity scene also stays up until February 2, which is the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord.