Quality wooden craftsmanship for every corner of your home
Hand-carved wooden nativity scene
A handcrafted nativity scene is much more than Christmas decor: it is a hand-carved piece that comes out every December and is passed from one generation to the next. At Novu we carve each figure from sycamore maple wood in specialized workshops in Europe, in a 10 cm format designed for today's homes. Here you will find all our handcrafted nativity scenes: from 3 to 18 figures, with a natural or hand-painted finish, with or without LED light.
What makes a handcrafted wooden nativity scene different
Unlike resin or plastic nativity scenes made in a mold, each figure is carved and sanded by hand. That is why it keeps the natural grain of the wood and small variations that make every set unique. Sycamore maple is a light, dense, fine-grained wood: it ages well and takes both a natural finish and oil paint.
How to choose your handcrafted nativity scene
- By number of figures: 3 figures (the Holy Family) for small spaces; 7 figures (with ox, donkey and sheep) for a living room; 18 figures for the complete scene with shepherds, angel and the Three Wise Men.
- By finish: natural, for a modern and understated look, or hand-painted with oils, for a more traditional feel. If you like clean lines, see our minimalist nativity scenes.
- With or without light: our nativity scenes with LED light have the lighting built into the stable, with no visible wires.
- Stable or arch: the wooden arch gives the scene height and works as a decorative piece on its own.
A gift that lasts for years
A handcrafted nativity scene is one of the Christmas gifts people keep the longest: it is used every year and becomes part of the family tradition. If you are looking for one to give, see our gift ideas or the guide why a handcrafted nativity scene is a sure success. And to set it up properly, read the meaning of each nativity figure.
International shipping, each piece individually packed, and 15 days to return it from delivery.
Frequently asked questions about handcrafted nativity scenes
It is a nativity scene whose figures are carved and finished by hand, one by one, instead of being made in a mold. Novu's handcrafted nativity scenes are carved from sycamore maple wood in specialized workshops in Europe.
The figures are 10 cm tall (measured on Saint Joseph). It is a tabletop or shelf format that needs no dedicated space: a 3-figure set takes about 30–40 cm.
3 figures: the Holy Family (Saint Joseph, the Virgin Mary and the Baby Jesus). 7 figures: the Holy Family, the ox, the donkey and two sheep. 18 figures: the complete scene, with three shepherds, a goat, four sheep, the angel, the star and the Three Wise Men.
A handcrafted nativity scene is not a seasonal item thrown away in January: it is a piece hand-carved in specialized workshops that is kept for many years and is even passed down.
Each figure keeps natural variations of the wood, because it is handcrafted and not an identical mold. If it is not what you expected when it arrives, you have 15 days from delivery to return it and we refund the full amount.
Yes. Each piece is individually packed and protected for international transport; if it arrives damaged, we replace it at no cost.