Fontaniniby Roman Figure Centennial Nativity Set with Italian set 7-Piece 5-Inch Each

I was very pleased with the Fontanini Nativity set we just purchased as a wedding gift. After reading some of the past reviews I was cautious about taking it apart to be sure all the pieces were there and that the quality of the stable was in good condition. We have been collecting this set for over 35 years and have "passed it on" to many others, including our children as engagement gifts to carry on the tradition we have had with our family for so long. I love giving this as a wedding gift to people we are close to that we know we enjoy it and appreciate all it represents and possibly begin their own tradition. Each year we have added another piece to our set, as have our married children. And now it is a tradition that the day after Thanksgiving our grandchildren (ages 3, 4, 5 and 6) set it up It's my favorite part of Christmas! Then Baby Jesus is hidden away until Christmas morning. The search begins and no gifts are opened til He has been found and we've had a little prayer together around the Nativity. This is a wonderful gift and we continue to be impressed with the quality of workmanship!

I waited for several years to buy a nativity set as my husband brought a set into our marriage (it was cheap and neither of us liked it much, but it wasn't terrible...) After I accidentally knocked our Blessed Mother off the mantle for a second time, she broke, so I decided to really go for it and buy a set we can build on each year. Fontanini is a brand I know will be available if ever we need to replace a piece or add on more pieces later. Also,I had a similar set growing up, and I am delighted by each piece. My little ones can hold these pieces and even gently arrange and play with them, but they are pretty enough to be at the center of our Christmas decorations. We placed it on our mantle this year with pine boughs and red berries around it with a really charming effect (if I do say so myself...haha). On Christmas morning we placed our Blessed Christ in the manger, and it was just a little simple act of remembering Him before enjoying opening gifts. I am planning to add the Wise men next year and keep adding on as time goes by. This is a great set, not cheap looking or feeling, durable, what will become, I think, one of our family heirlooms.

My parents had a Fontanini crèche when I was growing up and I always wanted one. The figures are now resin and I believe theirs were bone china or something like that, but this one is still very nice (and not a fragile!).

I ordered ----- Fontanini by Roman Figure Centennial Nativity Set with Italian set 7-Piece 5-Inch EachI love the parts of the set that I received, It is truly gorgeous.The stable and the figurines are very detailed and authentic looking. However, I didn't receive the 2 sheep pictured in the set. I paid for a 7 piece set, When I receive these pieces, I will change this rating to 5 stars.

I bought this for my parents for Christmas, it is like one they used to have. They and I are were thrilled with the quality and appearance of the figurines. They did have to reattached some of the moss to the manger. The set came with booklets of information on each piece explaining them. My parents like this too. I would definitely recommend this nativity scene!