How to Choose a Modern Wooden Nativity Set: Buying Guide

Buying a modern wooden nativity set is something you do once and enjoy every Christmas for decades. That is why, before you buy a wooden nativity scene (or manger scene, as it is also called), it is worth knowing what to look for. In this guide we explain it step by step: the wood, the carving, the finish, the number of figures, the size, the lighting and the price.

In short: 6 things to check before buying a wooden nativity set

1. The wood: maple and linden are the classic woods for carving figures. Sycamore maple is light in colour, fine-grained and very stable, ideal for small, detailed figures.
2. The carving: a handcrafted figure shows wood grain and small differences between pieces. A resin or moulded figure is identical to all the others.
3. The finish: natural (the wood left visible) or hand-painted in oils.
4. The number of figures: 3 (Holy Family), 7 (with ox, donkey and sheep) or 18 (the complete scene with shepherds, angel and Three Wise Men).
5. The size: the reference is the height of Saint Joseph. With 10 cm figures, the whole set fits on a shelf or sideboard.
6. The light: a low-voltage LED built into the stable avoids cables and loose bulbs.

1. The wood: why it matters so much

The wood decides how the nativity set ages, how much detail the carving can hold and what it will look like in twenty years. These are the most common options:

Material	Characteristics	Best for
Sycamore maple	Hard, light-coloured wood with a fine, even grain. Very stable: it barely warps with changes in humidity.	Small, detailed figures with a bright natural finish.
Linden (lime wood)	Soft, even wood, traditionally the most used in sculpture.	Larger figures and highly detailed carvings.
Pine and other conifers	Cheaper, with knots and resin. The grain is more pronounced.	Stables and structures rather than figures.
Resin or composite	Cast in a mould: every piece is the same. Heavier and colder to the touch; it imitates wood with paint.	Low-cost, mass-produced nativity sets.

In Novu nativity sets, the figures are carved from sycamore maple and the stable is made of mountain softwood, which combines lightness with a warm finish.

2. How to recognise a hand-carved nativity set

Hand-carving figures in European workshops follows several steps: the wood is dried for months, cut into blocks, roughed out from a model, and then each figure is finished by hand with gouges and knives. This is where the face, the folds of the clothing and the posture are defined. Finally, the finish is applied: natural or hand-painted.

To tell a handcrafted figure from a mass-produced one, look at:

• The grain: real wood grain is visible and changes from one figure to the next.
• Small differences: two identical figures are never exactly the same. If they match to the millimetre, they most likely come from a mould.
• Seams: resin figures often have a mould line along the sides.
• Weight and touch: wood is lighter and warmer than resin.

3. Natural or hand-painted: from contemporary to traditional

Natural finish: the wood stays visible, with its light tone and grain. It is the most understated option and the one that best suits Scandinavian, minimalist, mid-century or contemporary homes: the contemporary nativity set par excellence. If that is your style, see our minimalist modern nativity scenes.

Hand-painted: each figure is painted with a brush, in our case with oil paints. It adds colour and warmth and is closer to the traditional nativity scene. It takes more hours of work, which is why it costs a little more.

4. How many figures do you need?

Handcrafted nativity sets are usually sold as complete sets. These are ours and what each one includes:

• 3 figures: the Holy Family (Saint Joseph, the Virgin Mary and the Baby Jesus). The essential scene, perfect for a shelf, a side table or as a gift.
• 7 figures: the Holy Family, the ox, the donkey and two sheep. The most popular balance for a living room.
• 18 figures: the complete Nativity scene: the Holy Family, the ox and the donkey, three shepherds with their offerings, a goat, four sheep, the angel, the Star of Bethlehem and the Three Wise Men. For a centrepiece spot in your home.

To learn what each figure represents, read our guide to the meaning of the nativity scene figures.

5. Size: measure your space before buying

The size of a nativity set is given by the height of the Saint Joseph figure; the other figures are in proportion. Our figures are 10 cm tall, and these are the stable dimensions:

• Stable for 3 and 7 figures: 31.5 × 16 × 20 cm.
• Arched stable (7 figures): 45 × 16.5 × 22 cm.
• Stable for 18 figures: 47 × 20 × 19 cm.

A tip: leave about 10–15 cm of free space around the stable to arrange the figures comfortably, especially with the 18-figure set.

6. With or without light

Light completely transforms a manger scene in the evening, but cables and loose bulbs are the reason many families give up on lighting it. That is why our illuminated nativity sets have a low-voltage LED (3.5 V) built into the stable, with no visible cables and less than 3 W of consumption. It is supplied with a 230 V transformer for European sockets and is ready in a couple of minutes.

If you prefer a piece without a plug that you can place anywhere, choose a model without light. You can see all the illuminated models in modern nativity sets with LED light.

7. How much does a wooden nativity set cost?

The price depends mainly on four factors: the number of figures, the finish (hand-painting adds hours of work), the lighting and the type of stable. As a reference, these are the prices of our nativity sets (October 2026):

Nativity set	Natural, no light	Painted, no light	Natural, with light	Painted, with light
3 figures	€169	€195	€229	€259
7 figures	€229	€279	€269	€329
7 figures with arch	—	—	€279	€339
18 figures	—	—	€439	€639

Compared with a resin nativity set, the price difference lies in the material and the handwork: a wooden figure carved and finished by hand cannot be mass-produced, and it stays in good condition for generations.

8. Care and storage

• Avoid direct, prolonged exposure to sunlight and humidity: natural wood can darken or move.
• A soft, dry cloth is enough to remove dust. Do not use water or cleaning products.
• Store it in its original box, in a dry place, wrapping each figure separately.

9. When to order so it arrives in time

Many families put up their nativity scene in late November or early December (we explain the dates in when to put up the nativity scene). We prepare every order within 48 business hours; shipping then takes 5–8 business days to the European Union and 7–10 to other destinations, such as the UK, Switzerland or the US. Delivery times may be longer in November and December, so if it is a gift, do not leave it until the last week.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best wood for a nativity set?

For small, detailed figures, sycamore maple and linden are the reference woods: they are even, stable and allow fine carving. Maple also has a light tone that looks especially good with a natural finish.

How many figures should a nativity set have?

There is no fixed number. The essential scene is the Holy Family (3 figures). With the ox, donkey and sheep you get a 7-figure set, and the complete scene, with shepherds, angel and Three Wise Men, usually has around 18.

How can I tell if a nativity set is hand-carved?

Look at the wood grain and at the small differences between figures. Moulded figures (resin or composite) are identical to each other and often have a seam line along the sides.

Does an LED nativity set use a lot of electricity?

No. Our illuminated nativity sets use a low-voltage LED (3.5 V) with less than 3 W of consumption, less than a household LED bulb.

Found the one for your home? Shop modern wooden nativity sets →