1. Christmas cards with a nativity picture- sure there are a lot of Christmas cards with the nativity picture at the front, but you can narrow down your collection by keeping those with pop-up pictures or those cards that break out into Christmas songs once you opened it. You can also set aside the cards with the nativity picture that you received and place it in a different container.

2. Nativity figurines- these are definitely something that you have to have if you are into collecting nativities. One of the popular ones is the Jim Shore nativities due to his detailed products. If you have kids at home, it will be best to stick with wooden products so that it will be sturdier. However, if you have a place where the kids will not be able to reach you can have ceramic or even porcelain figurines. There are also some products where you can purchase individual figurines such as Joseph only, an angel, and other characters in the Nativity scene.  Surely, building your figurine collection is something that you can build on for years to come.

3. Plates- this refers to the dining plate that is not really used for dining because it is more of a collectible item. Sometimes there are plates that will come out only during the Christmas season and the design is available only for that certain year.

4. Christmas tree decoration- there are Christmas balls that have pictures of the nativity. You can collect the good ones such as those that are embossed, those with intricate details, or Christmas tree decoration products from a very good brand. Jim Shore products have these decorations.

5. Christmas star- the star that is usually placed on top of the Christmas tree is now not that plain anymore. There are now stars where you will see the nativity and other designs inside when it is lit up.

Many people find the nativity to be a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas, adding one to your home can help add more meaning to the special day.

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One popular style among collectors is crystal. Crystal figurines do a great job of delicately decorating a room with their crisp, clean lines. If they are properly lit, they can look absolutely stunning. Many of these are quite tiny but still very intricate.  This is another reason why having them displayed in a nice curio cabinet is a good idea.

Before beginning to build a collection based on crystal, decide what your budget will allow. The pieces are certainly very lovely, but the more affordable pieces are generally rather small. That means that you could end up needing several pieces to properly adorn an area. Depending on the brand you choose to collect, these can also be quite expensive. Choose a maker who sells figures that you can afford. There are plenty of very nice crystal figures available that will not break the bank.

There are also some larger pieces available, but they are almost always quite expensive. You can still afford these if you shop around, but in general, you should expect them to be more expensive than smaller figures.  Some collectors ask for these as presents on holidays or birthdays since they can be a bit pricey.

Another factor that plays a part in the cost of figurines is how intricate the detailing of the piece is. More details will generally mean more money. It will also mean that they will be that much easier to damage by accident.  If you choose to collect these delicate treasures, you must be certain to display them in a place where they will be protected.

If you have chosen a particular theme, keep your eyes open for appropriate pieces to add to your figurine collection when you are out shopping. You may find them when and where you least expect to see them.  That is part of the fun however.  You can build your collection at your own pace and within your own price limits.

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