This was the manger I grew up with. I have fond memories of going to Woolworths each year. My Mom and I would look over all the pieces, and she would let me pick out the one I wanted. We did this for many years. As I set up my manager each year, it brings back very special memories.

Ah Woolworth's. It's where you went to for all things Christmas. I have fond memories of buying a camel there for our nativity.

I grew up with that donkey, the cow with the big horns, and the first two wise men, because my Dad and Mom shopped Woolworths when they were first married, too.

I thought you might be interested in seeing some photos from one of our local church nativities--the life sized nativity at Holy Name of Mary (Catholic) Church. See the photo below, then click the link
http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/20 ... -name.html

Here is mine, finally put up. I added a few pieces last year; the ox, donkey and pink angel. My mom still has the blue angel in her manger but gave me the rest of it. It is the Sears one from the mid 1950's.

Looks like Lynn and I have some of the same pieces. My added pieces came from JJ Newberry's Five and Ten, in fact, I have 2 wise men the same because my mom sent me to buy 2 'kings' and I came home with one pretty much the same as the one we had, and a super large dark skinned king. I replaced the superlarge one last year with the one i should have bought 45 years ago.

Hi Ruthann,

I really enjoyed looking at your manager!! I have those same lambs you have in the front in another family manger. I just love Christmas memories, especially those of my mom. Merry Christmas!!

Lynn - you have a really good eye! The two sheep in the front do go to a different manger. My mom has the manger they go to, but she kept the sheep from mine and gave me these two. Some day I will get the two matched up with their original pieces!

Thought you would like to see some photos of the interior nativity at our local church Holy Name of Mary

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N ... 466932245/

The Three Wise Men have arrived. See photo. Also blogged about here: http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/20 ... -name.html