Collecting

In rereading a few old blog posts, I've taken note of how often I've asserted that I'm not a collector. But here's where I admit that not only is my Nutcracker ornament collection expanding, my creche collection has a new addition too.  

As a belated high school graduation gift, my sister graciously took our daughter to Europe this summer (who knew being an only niece would have such great perks?).  A stop in Austria yielded this precious gift for me:

Created inside an actual matchbox.  

Just 1 inch x 1.5 inch.  I think it's my miniaturist miniature.  

It's taken it's rightful position alongside my other sweet Nativities.  

The Nativity

“Hey, unto you a child is born!”

- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever*

Sweet memories of my children re-enacting The Nativity

Since he was just 7 days old, I guess it's not surprising his sister enlisted him for the starring role.  

She was 6 and he was 3 and she  "demoted" him to playing the role of  Joseph.  

*If you haven't read this adorable book aloud to your children, you should. In fact, everyone should read it.  

O Little Town of Bethlehem

I am not a collector.  Okay, maybe a sort of collector.  I have a few teacups and saucers (mostly inherited from my grandmothers) and an assortment of childrens’ books (but only the classics, or ones with super cute illustrations).  If I was going to collect anything in earnest, however, I would collect these:

The delightfully retro plastic one in the front right is a personal favorite.

 

These little nativity scenes are adorable and, at least to me, made only more adorable by their miniature nature.  I can think of little that is more precious than a teeny baby Jesus.  I display these creches all year long. 

My sister brought this one to me from her vacation in Mexico. It came in a little 2 inch by 3 inch silver-plated box.  The photo quality is not very good and I think one of the wise men is AWOL (perhaps he preferred the Central American climate), but I don’t mind.  The cow, the sheep and the donkey are too cute. 

 

This one, however, is my favorite.

Look what's inside when you lift the top! I know, cute right?

Again,  this one is from my sister’s travels to Mexico.  Hey, it just dawned on me, if I could ever get to Mexico, I could start a real collection!