A Cuban Christmas Tradition from My Family to Yours

Today my parents completed one of their yearly Christmas traditions.  In Cuba, the nativity was the center of Christmas decor instead of the Christmas tree.  Not unlike we enjoy seeing Christmas light displays in different neighborhoods, in the Cuba of my parent's youth, you would go to see nativity scenes from house to house for the holidays.  

Our nativity wasn't as large as this when we were little but each year it grew and grew and has now become something people start calling about before Thanksgiving -  "Is it ready yet?!" with each call or run in on the street.  

It takes my parents three months to build and is so detailed, I still find new things every time I go.  If anyone ever wondered where I get my creativity and attention to detail... watch this video of my parent's Christmas Nativity.  The figures are a collection of Fontanini figurines but all the details are painstakingly created by my parents.  

I hope you enjoy this Cuban Christmas tradition

Merry Christmas from my family to yours! xoxo Ana

(P.S.  An update has been added below the video by request)

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Update! More Photos from our Cuban Christmas Tradition
​(Who Knew It Was An Arts Market?!)

12/16/2015

Dear Friends,
I was overwhelmed by the response to my last blog post about my family Nativity tradition.  So many of you were kind enough to comment here on the blog or sent emails with your beautiful thoughts and good wishes.  I promised several of you I would add more photos so you can see details.  The video above is a good overview of the entire display but with my last Baton Rouge Arts Market coming up this weekend, I realized as I was taking pictures today how many arts market and farmers market members are represented in the Nativity!  (I told you I see something new every time I go!)  Below are a few of my favorite vignettes.

Thank you for your wonderful messages.  I wish you all a very Merry Christmas & a new year filled with much success and laughter! xoxo ANA

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The Jewelry Artist Shop (The Original Jewel of Bethlehem)

The Clay Artist with His Kiln

The Roving Musician

The Roving Musician

The Musician's Shop

The Musician's Shop

The Glass Blower's Studio

The Woodworker's Shop

The Basket Weaver's Shop

The Weaver's Shop

The Cobbler's Shop

The Bakery

The Dairy Farm

The Olive Grove & Oil Factory

The Farmer's Market

The Wedding Party

The Babe in the Manger
(with cameo appearance by our Security Department)

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