Christmas in March...A Family Treasure Find!

Hello my friends...I hope you're having a fabulous day! *

Have you ever experienced Christmas in March? Well...I have! But I must admit...I think this is the first time. Hehe! My honey came home the other day with two big ol' boxes under his arms. He had been cleaning out his parent's basement. Both his Father and Mother have already passed on and we have recently acquired their home and belongings. *

Family Treasures...Two Vintage Nativity Sets

Sooo...Honey placed the boxes on the floor and began opening the first box. He carefully unwrapped the treasures that were inside. To my total surprise...a little olden Nativity set began to fill the floor! Onto the second box...another sweet Nativity set was unwrapped...very carefully! I placed the first Nativity set into an old, rusty wire basket that honey had also found in the basement. Isn't the wire basket just scrumptious? I love it! There the marvelous little pieces sat...until I could give them a much needed but gentle cleaning.

Want a closer look? *

Closer still? Ohhh...I really am being a tease...aren't I! Hehe!

There are a total of 23 pieces to this beautiful vintage Nativity set. *

Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Isn't she just precious? As you can see...she needs a gentle cleaning. Years and years of use are layered upon these sweet pieces. My honey told me...as he was unwrapping them...that he had so much fun playing with them when he was little! Ahhhh...I can't tell you how much that warms my heart!!!

This vintage Nativity set was a Christmas gift to my father-in-law when he was 10 yrs. old...in 1944...from his mother and father. I can just imagine the excitement as he unwrapped each piece! Like father...like son!

Vintage Chalkware Nativity...

I have seen this type of Nativity set before but I really didn't know to much about it. After doing a little search on Ebay, I found a few similar sets and read all that I could about them. I know that this particular set is at least 67 yrs. old because a few of the pieces had been hand marked. Hand written in pencil was this inscription...

"Dwain...Christmas, 1944...5th grade...10 yrs. old"

My honey didn't know much about the "particulars"...just that they were a Christmas gift from his Grandma and Grandpa...to his Dad. Whether they were new when they were given...or whether it was a family treasure that had been further passed down...we don't know. I did find a couple of chalkware Nativity sets that were very similar...in size and in the colors that were used....that were manufactured in the 1920's. If any of you know anything about this type of Nativity set...I would love to hear about it!

The second Nativity set...

I think this Natvity set is much newer in age. My honey said that this pretty ceramic set was his mama's "pride and joy"! Isn't it lovely?

A close-up of one of the camels.

This Nativity really is beautiful, I can see why my mother-in-law loved it so! The pieces are so intricate...just exquisite! The set was done in white with a beautiful blue glaze brushed on like an antiquing effect.

Here it is...all cleaned and set up.

Sooo very beautiful...and sooo very precious!

Here is the vintage chalkware Nativity set...cleaned and set up.

Do you see the angel overlooking the Nativity scene? She is sitting atop the large hat box...looking on!

I will use the hat boxes to store these family treasures in...until next Christmas! And then...I will carefully unwrap each little piece and display them sooo proudly in our home...remembering the sweet family that has already gone on to be with the Lord and how these precious Nativity sets brought joy to them!

The baby Jesus!

Born in a lowly manger of the virgin Mary...to be the Saviour of this world! I am sooo thankful for His precious gift to me...and that I can call Him my Saviour!!!

I am joining these fabulous parties today...

Vintage Inspiration Friday...hosted by Debra over at Common Ground.

A Few of my Favorite Things Saturday...hosted by Laurie over at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie.

Thank you Debra and Laurie...for hosting these fabulous parties for all of us to enjoy!

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Well my friends...I'm so glad that you stopped by today! Thank you for letting me share a little "Christmas in March" with you! Hehe! Please leave me a note and let me know that you were here...I would love to visit with you!

Warmest Spring Wishes!