When Christmastime is upon us, people enjoy publicly displaying decorations that express their holiday cheer. Outdoors, in front of homes, businesses, and churches, you might find brightly lit Christmas trees and evergreen wreaths on doors. There may be jaunty snowmen or oversized candy canes. You are also likely to run across beautiful outdoor Nativity sets displayed by those who cherish the religious foundation of the season.

The first Nativity scene featuring the newborn Christ child in a manger was staged in the year 1223 by St. Francis of Assisi. Visiting the town of Greccio, Italy, he wanted to inspire the villagers with the closest thing to the sacred event that he could offer. A manger was prepared, live animals were gathered around it, and the townspeople came to celebrate. Those who witnessed this living scene stood in awe.

Word of this striking spectacle spread throughout Italy and the rest of Europe, and so a beloved tradition was born. Today, outdoor Nativity sets can inspire those who see them with their own sense of awe and reverence. You can learn more about the first Nativity scene in this short video:

When shopping for an outdoor Nativity set, you will want to find one that best suits your needs and purposes. There are several important factors to consider:

Aesthetics

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Each of us has our preferences when it comes to appearance, whether it be clothing, automobiles, or Christmas decorations such as an outdoor Nativity set. The visual appeal of the set is an important consideration.

In addition to appearance, consider the space where you will place your set. The size of the display area will help you determine your choice.

Ease of Use

The level of difficulty involved in setting up the scene is also an important factor to bear in mind. So, too, might be the part of the Christmas story on which you care to focus. Maybe you prefer to keep it simple and make the display all about the Holy Family alone, with Christ in the manger. Maybe you would like to feature the Holy Family as well as some of the animals in attendance. Or perhaps you would favor a display that tells the Christmas story as a whole, with the Holy Family, animals, shepherds, angels, and Wise Men. Whatever you choose, your outdoor Nativity set will be a reminder of the original meaning of Christmas.

Durability

Christmas is not celebrated exclusively in snowy regions (even if many Christmas cards might suggest otherwise). Indeed, in the southern hemisphere, Christmas falls at the beginning of summer! Your outdoor Nativity set should be durable enough to handle your local weather, whether that’s freezing temperatures and heavy snow or hot, cloudless days that can fade paint over time. Strong winds can tip over figures, so plan to anchor them securely. And if there are children around, remind them that the figures are for looking, not climbing.

Storability

Seasons are just that—seasonal. And so are the decorations that accompany them (though, as we all know, some folks keep decorations up all year!). Most people will need to store their outdoor Nativity sets when the holiday is over. Keeping in mind your available storage space, check the sizes of the figures before buying, and whether any pieces can be disassembled for out-of-season storage and safekeeping.

The good news is that there is a wide variety of outdoor Nativity sets to choose from. Whichever display you select, it will add a lovely, inspirational holiday touch for you, your family, and those who happen to pass by at Christmas. For more tips, see tips for buying and setting up outdoor Nativity set displays.