Tips for Buying and Setting Up Outdoor Nativity Set Displays

Large outdoor Nativity set displays
Homemade indoor crèche
Small homemade Nativity crèche for indoor display

During Christmastime it is not uncommon to see charming miniature manger scenes adorning the inside of the home alongside wreaths, stockings “hung by the chimney with care,” and trees—artificial or evergreen—sagging with bright, colorful ornaments. To really make a splash, however, you need to go BIG.

The Christmas holiday season is a magical time of year, where homes, gardens, places of worship, and businesses are transformed into enchanting public expressions of joy and celebration. One traditional type of decoration that never fails to captivate are outdoor Nativity set displays. Bear in mind, however, that there isn’t just one single “right” way to show your Christmas spirit with your eye-catching, outdoors manger scene. Multiple factors come into play. Whether you’re a novice or an expert decorator, here are some tips to guide you in buying and setting up your outdoor Nativity set displays.

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The Allure of Giant Nutcrackers: A Timeless Christmas Decor Tradition

Giant nutcracker figure in front of a Christmas tree

As the holiday season approaches, households and businesses begin to brighten up their indoor and outdoor public spaces with various decorations, including Christmas trees with glowing lights, Santa figurines complete with sleigh and reindeer, and of course those hard-to-miss giant nutcrackers. These traditional Christmas figures have been common since the 19th century, and their creative design, colorful costumes, and grand size make them a centerpiece in any home or marketplace. The appeal of these imposing figures is undeniable, and there is no better addition to holiday cheer during this festive season. Here we will delve a little into the history of nutcrackers, their connection to Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet, and the quality of craftsmanship that goes into these iconic holiday figures, which have long captivated children and adults alike.

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How Life-size is a Life-size Santa Anyway? (Asking for a friend…)

Santa Claus looking surprised

Long seen as a symbol of Christmas, embodying the spirit of giving and joy that is associated with the holiday season, Santa Claus statues and figurines are a perennially popular choice for indoor and outdoor decorating in December. Thanks to the distinctive appearance and timeless allure of these statues, they are guaranteed to spread holiday cheer around homes and businesses. The variety of styles and designs available means that there is a Santa Claus statue to suit every taste and preference. From cute and exquisite shapes to lifelike figurines, there’s something for everyone. In addition, they come in a wide range of sizes, from hold-in-your-hand small to gargantuan large, and everything in between. The most popular, however, is doubtless the life-size Santa Claus. Which leads us to consider: How large, exactly, is a “life-size Santa”?

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The Art of Shopping for Outdoor Nativity Sets

Outdoor Nativity scene in Vatican City

When Christmastime is upon us, people enjoy publicly displaying decorations expressing their holiday cheer. Outdoors, in front of homes and businesses and churches, you might find brightly lit Christmas trees and evergreen wreaths on doors. There may be jaunty snowmen or oversized inflatable candy canes. You are likely also to run across beautiful outdoor Nativity sets displayed by those who cherish the religious foundation of the season.

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Life-size Santas—Dressed for the Season

Life-size Santa figurine

At Christmas time, Santa Claus—that “jolly old elf”—can be found just about everywhere. Miniature Santa figurines stand atop mantles along with sleighs and tiny reindeer. Delicate glass Santa ornaments decorate the branches of Christmas trees. In the stores, plush Santa dolls sit, hoping to be claimed by a lucky child. Wooden Santa nutcrackers wait their turn to break open walnuts at a holiday party. And life-size Santas stand on porches and in yards, greeting visitors and passersby with the best of holiday cheer.

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