The Santons Come Marching In... by Thomas Kern
A Swiss nativity scene with a French touch - by Thomas Kern, pictures and text.
as published in swissinfo.ch - This is such a special celebration of a Santons Christmas, one cannot help but share the magic.
"Joseph, Mary, and the Christ Child are joined by common folk in a priceless nativity scene on show in northern Switzerland."
All alone, but not for long Putting the animals in position
"The nativity scene has been put together under the expert direction of art historian Rudolf Velhagen. Velhagen, head of the historical collection at the Museum Aargau, discovered the nativity figurines, 'Santons', while teaching art history in Marseille, and decided to bring them to Switzerland."
The people of Provence Creating the background by hand
"Made by the late French artist Marcel Carbonel, the Santons include not only the usual nativity figures, but common folk from a cross-section of Provençal society. There's a baker, knitting grandmother, fishmonger, vagabonds and men and women in traditional costume."
There's room for a shepherd....Putting together a nativity is much like putting together a train set.
"Velhagen has over 60 figurines in his collection. Each Santon has its place, representing society in its entirety and without any direct reference to the nativity story. An important source of inspiration for the figurines was the 'Lettres de mon moulin' by the French writer Alphonse Daudet (1840 - 1897), who describes happy and sad events."
They've arrived... Joseph and Mary The Three Kings are on their way
"The figurines are placed in reference to political or social conditions, while the traditional Santons - the shepherds, angels and the Three Kings - are moved each day, slowly approaching the birthplace of the Christ Child."
An angel has a prominent place.... As does a baker
The landscape of Provence Missing Jesus... who arrives
Christmas morning!
A Scandinavian Christmas with Nils Olsson Dala Horses
It is Christmas and Nils Olsson Dala Horses (Dalahästar), the premiere Dala Horse Workshop, since 1928, in Nusnäs, Dalarna, Sweden, handcrafts the finest of all Dala horses. A Dala Horse is, simply said, a must for Christmas. The classic red is a tradition. Of course, we are proud to offer a selection of colors and sizes.
If you are looking for recipes, Trine Hahnemann's Scandinavian Christmas is a joy. She offers a potpourri of festive and traditional recipes.
Find a Scandinavian Christmas here on Amazon.
And, you may enjoy following our Nils Olsson Dala Horse Board on Pinterest.
'Tis the Season to Gather and Send Advent Calendars
Advent Calendars are a special part of the Christmas season. From December 1 through Christmas Eve open a little door to discover an image or a biblical quote. They are simple and of an everlasting nature (spiritually and because they can often be reused year-in-year- out). They bring us a bit of "quiet time" amid all the hustle-bustle.
Angels Looking After the Children
All of the advent calendars that we offer come, of course, from Germany. We try to add a significant selection of new ones each year.
and rejoice in keeping as many of the standard classics as well.
Santa and Angel with Horse Drawn Sled
They make a perfect little gift for family and friends - add a touch of joy throughout the holiday season. Find our full selection here - German Advent Calendars .
The Legend of the Christmas Spider - the Tradition of Tinsel
The story of the Christmas Spider appears in many different versions throughout central and eastern Europe. In all of them the spiders' webs, spun on Christmas Eve, turn to silver and are seen as the beginning of the beautiful tradition of hanging sparkling tinsel on your Christmas tree. The tinsel symbolizes a Christmas miracle from long ago.
And, the Christmas Spider legend beckons us to give thanks to the industrious spiders by hanging a spider ornament in a special place on our trees.
In Germany, the legend has it that a poor woman was unable to provide the traditional decorations for the Christmas holiday. A spider, who had narrowly escaped the dust mop, made his home in her tree and began to spin beautiful webs. On Christmas morning, the first light of the day struck the cobwebs, turning them to silver. When the woman awoke, she found the tree covered with silver treasure - the spider had brought good fortune! And the tradition of hanging tinsel on one's Christmas tree was begun.
This Christmas, pair the Christmas Spider ornament from Inge-Glas with one of these two delightful children's books as a charming addition to your Christmas traditions.
Cobweb Christmas: The Tradition of Tinsel by Shirley Cimo with illustrations by Jane Manning -
and
The Spider's Gift: A Ukrainian Christmas Story by retold by Eric A. Kimmel with illustrations by Katya Krenina
There is nothing more special than adding a touch of folklore with a piece of Inge-Glas folk art to your Christmas.
Enjoy our Pinterest Board on Inge-Glas - here
The Helbig Workshop Nativity - Your Way
The nativity set from the Emil Helbig Workshop, the oldest wood-carving work shop in the Erzgebirge (Germany's Christmas Capital), is without a doubt one of, if not the, finest hand-carved German nativity sets.
The joy of the Emil Helbig Workshop nativity is all the possibilities - rejoice in the complete set (above).
Choose a Helbig Nativity with a Bavarian stable (below) and a selection of nativity figures plus Bavarian accessories.
Choose the simplicity (below) of the Helbig Mary, Joseph, and Jesus with a hand-carved tree and a tree platform (both from the Erzgebirge).
or choose a set of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus (below)
When and if you want to add additional Helbig figures to your selection, we now offer all of them separately -
the ox - 
and the camels - 
We feel privileged to be able to offer the Emil Helbig nativity figures to you. To find them in our shop - click here or on any of the photographs above.
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Grunhainichen - A Toy Makers Village
Winner of the 2007 Erzgebirge Craftsman and Toy Makers Association
Award for Outstanding Care in Preserving the Erzgebirge Tradition
