Manger, Nativity or Crèche all meant the same to Gertrude, preparation for Christmas

Every year around the first of December, Gertrude would go into the attic and find the box with the manger. It was an old cardboard box and all the parts were wrapped in old paper that came from the grapefruit and oranges that had been sent to my grandparents from years past. Remember Gertrude saved everything, just encase she might need it.

Today went into my attic to find the manger. I had not put the vintage set out for many years. One reason was that my daughters had their own manger that they could rearrange the non-breakable pieces, to their hears content. Another reason, cats. All of my cats loves to knock thing down. Anything that is smaller than them and on a shelf or counter, especially if they found

a new object to bat around the house.

So will some trepidation I am going to set the Nativity on top of the bookcase in the living room. I am not sure if this cat will find it, but time will tell.

I love all the animals Gertrude must have collected over the years. There are many sheep, a donkey, cattle and several camels. The figures all have made in Germany stamped on the bottom. I am calculating that these were purchased in the 1930’s before the US got into WWII.

I will keep you posted if the cat locates the Crèche.