Nativity Creches from around the world

Last New Year's Eve I visited the The Washington D.C. Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

They had a lovely display of nativity creches from around the world. Each set was beautiful. Many different techniques and materials were used. The contrasts were so much fun to see.

I loved the little felted people and animals

The Temple is quite impressive

Beautifully painted ceramics

The grounds of the Temple were decorated for Christmas.

The Alaskan cabin was so cute with it's moose and dog sled

This set was made of glass beads

I love this Mexican set with the colourful painting. I have a similar one.

This Mexican set was beautiful too.

This set was fun.

This sweet little needlework set caught my fancy

So beautiful

Salzburg Christmas Museum

I was fortunate enough to visit the Salzburg Christmas Museum, last spring when I was on the wonderful TLC doll tour.  It was fun to see all the antique and traditional items on display.

A traditional Austrian/German Christmas is very much like ours, with a few differences.

For instance Saint Nick's companion is a horned, anthropomorphic figure named Krampus who, during the Christmas season, punishes children who have misbehaved.  Pretty scary, eh kids?

A number of different Saint Nicks with some of their odd companions named Krampus

A lovely large kitchen room box

Antique Erzgebirge Christmas Pyramids

Chocolate making in a miniature kitchen with a fancy ceramic stove

Antique Christmas music box

This is what Krampus does if you are naughty. So you'd better be nice.

Scary Krampus has some frightened maidens in his cage

Chimney sweeps were considered good luck

Wonderful antique Christmas toys

Pretty snow babies and dollies

Santa is skiing in with his pack full of presents

St. Nicholas didn't always wear red.

I love this reindeer.

Angels singing on high

Antique feather tree

A sweet little Santa

Ornaments for your tree

Lots of snow babies and more dollies

I love this reindeer too.

Is this the little match girl? I love Santa's face.

In an alcove at the back of the museum thee were several Christmas market booths in miniature

The main exhibition is made up of eleven theme sections complemented by special displays. Accompanying items and symbols of the traditional Christmastime celebrations can be marvelled at in the ‘Celebrations between Advent and New Year in southern Germany and Austria 1840 – 1940’ exhibition. What makes the exhibition extra special is that each of these works and unique items is of cultural and historical significance, and was collected by Ursula Kloiber during a period of almost 40 years.


I hope you enjoyed the tour.

Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Susan

1949 Keystone Put-a-Way Dollhouse

The Stone Family is very happy. They have just moved into their new home.

Mrs. Stone holds the baby, Sally, and the children, Dick and Jane, stand in front of their parents.

The family poses outside the front door for their official portrait.  Their new maid, Maddie, isn't sure that she was invited to be in the picture.


But she inches closer and smiles for the photographer.

This dollhouse is called a Put-a-Way because the right and left wings on the lower level can be put away inside the house. The wing on the right side of the house has a covered patio on the front and a garage with a metal door that slides up on the back. The roof of this wing is another patio.

It is a lovely outside space for the family.

The foldout wing on the right is the kitchen, and also has a roof patio.

The garage is quite narrow and the door is very small, so the family will have to buy a tiny car. Will it fit all 6 of them (if the maid goes too)?  There are lithographed tools, licence plates, and tires on the wall, so I guess it is good for storage, at least.

Now that the picture taking is over Father and Mother decide to relax with a drink. "Yikes," says Father, "We are out of Scotch. By the way, did you see that giant cat outside?"
"It must belong to the neighbours." says Mother. "I will go out and get some more scotch. Will you keep an eye on the children?"

Mother gets her purse and prepares to go to the store.  Father is reading the paper,
but looks up to comment, "That cat seems to have found a giant bottle of water."
"That's nice, dear." Mother says. She is preoccupied with trying to remember
 where the store is.
"By the way," says Father, "whose dog is this?"

While mother is out shopping we can take a tour of the house.

Upstairs, we find the girls are in the nursery, Jane's doll is almost as big as her baby sister.

Jane wishes her brother  would come play checkers with her.  If she could find some checkers - and her brother.

The bathroom is a bit small, but it has a built-in shower,  The shower curtain is original to the house.

The parents bedroom is cozy too.

The furniture is Strombecker

Maddie the maid seems to be asking the cat to jump into her arms. She should probably be getting the baby's bottle ready.

Wake up Maddie. There's work to do.

The dining room has with Strombecker furniture too. It suits the house well

Both the dining room and the living room have built-in shelving. The doors under the shelves in the dining room open.

Here is the built-in shelving in the living room. It has lithographed scones on each side

Here is the house from the back with the wings open

Another view of the bathroom. A previous owner of the plastic Renwal furniture has painted it biege.  I find it gives it a more realistic look.

Mother's finally home. She not only found the store, but she found Dick too. He had been out riding his tricycle.

Mother notices that the house looks smaller than it did when she left. What happened to the kitchen and the garage? And the patios are gone, too. She wonders if Father has noticed.

Here is the back of the house with the wings are folded in. It may be good for storing the house, but it's not good for the dolls who live in it.  I wonder how the chillden of 1949 dealt with it.

I was excited to find this house in such great condition. I had been wanting a Put-a-Way house for quite some time. I have a soft spot for Keystone and Rich Toy houses because they are such fun to play with. This one was first sold in 1949.
Thanks for visiting.