Outdoor Nativity: too kitschy?

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OK, so I just bought the plastic Nativity set pictured below to put in my balcony (I’m just putting up the figures, minus the inflatable manger).

I wanted to get some opinions. Does it look too kitschy? 😃 My mom doesn’t like it and thinks I should’ve got something of a higher quality. At least I didn’t get one of those blow mold sets.

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http://i.ebayimg.com/15/!BIYPW8w!2k~$(KGrHgoH-DQEjlLlt51ZBJNeH47ULg~~_1.JPG

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**How big is it?

I think it’s fine…but if I could afford something more “high quality” I would get it. I think what makes these things look odd is when you surround them by numerous snowmen, Santas, reindeer and candy canes. If you just have the Nativity and some lights I think it’ll look fine:thumbsup:**
 
Feanaro_s_Wife said:
**How big is it?

I think it’s fine…but if I could afford something more “high quality” I would get it. I think what makes these things look odd is when you surround them by numerous snowmen, Santas, reindeer and candy canes. If you just have the Nativity and some lights I think it’ll look fine:thumbsup:**
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Joseph is the tallest figure and he’s about 6 feet tall. I almost had an impulse to buy some of those electronic moving reindeer, but I controlled myself.

Usually, our home just has a few simple lights, but I thought I’d try something different this year. I definitely wouldn’t think of putting up snowman, santa or candy cane figures. Now that’s kitschy…

Reminds me of this episode of* Fresh Prince of Bel Air*:
youtube.com/watch?v=esyCpzz_r5Q
 
Think I’d use the manger too, otherwise they’re just standing out in the yard. But that’s just me.
 
It’s not that kitschy, and use the manger!!!

Why does Joseph look so familiar? Are you sure they didn’t use GI Joe as a model?
 
The manger takes too much maintenance! It is powered by this little machine which blows air into it and you have to leave it on all the time. When you turn the machine off, the whole thing deflates.

I suppose it would be useful for a Christmas Party or something.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they used the same molds for Joseph and GI Joe haha. I think they could’ve done more work on Joseph. His facial expression looks a little creepy.
 
Sorry for the ignorance but what does kitschy mean? I googled it but I don’t really understand the definition and how it is being used in this thread. Thanks. 😛
 
JPUSC said:
Joseph is the tallest figure and he’s about 6 feet tall. I almost had an impulse to buy some of those electronic moving reindeer, but I controlled myself.

Usually, our home just has a few simple lights, but I thought I’d try something different this year. I definitely wouldn’t think of putting up snowman, santa or candy cane figures. Now that’s kitschy…

Reminds me of this episode of* Fresh Prince of Bel Air*:
youtube.com/watch?v=esyCpzz_r5Q
Click to expand...
You could get the reindeer, just don’t pose them so that they appear to be eating from the manger. And remember that St. Nicholas wasn’t one of the three wise men. 😃

We have neighbors who put up their giant wooden Nativity- complete with candy canes, polar bears, and Santa with sleigh- right after Halloween. The front yard is completely covered with stuff. I doubt you could top this with what you’re describing.
 
noclevername said:
Sorry for the ignorance but what does kitschy mean? I googled it but I don’t really understand the definition and how it is being used in this thread. Thanks. 😛
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Wikipedia says:

Kitsch /kɪtʃ/ is a term of German or Yiddish origin that has been used to categorize art that is considered an inferior, tasteless copy of an existing style. The term is also used more loosely in referring to any art that is pretentious to the point of being in bad taste, and also commercially produced items that are considered trite or crass.

In this case, the nativity set in question could be called “kitschy” since it’s a commercially produced product that isn’t exactly the best work of art. I mean, you can’t compare it to those thousand dollar lifesize church nativity sets.

Other examples of religious kitsch are:

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SeekerJen said:
You could get the reindeer, just don’t pose them so that they appear to be eating from the manger. And remember that St. Nicholas wasn’t one of the three wise men. 😃

We have neighbors who put up their giant wooden Nativity- complete with candy canes, polar bears, and Santa with sleigh- right after Halloween. The front yard is completely covered with stuff. I doubt you could top this with what you’re describing.
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Haha, your neighbor’s yard sounds funny. Maybe you could post a picture? 😃

I was thinking that the moving reindeer wouldn’t match with the semi-realistic looking plastic nativity set since it’s more of a lighted stick figure.
 
Well dang, just plug it at night then. You can’t have a nativity without manger!
 
Wow, Brenda V, that is a VERY kitschy nativity scene!

I was rolling my eyes at the outdoor nativity at the Catholic university where I go to Mass - their nativity has two snowmen on the roof. I’m glad it wasn’t Santa and his reindeer, but seriously, shouldn’t those be angels or stars or something? :rolleyes:
 
Isn’t kitschy just another way to say “tacky”? Again, I don’t think this meets the qualifications…thumbs up Jesus and bobble head Pope sure do though:D
**
I think what would be tacky is the nativity scene done with “characters” like Simpsons or something, that would be tacky!**
 
Brenda_V said:
I agree. Or have it running for so many hours, like the time you run your lights. You don’t have those on 24/7 do you?

I can think of kitschier Nativities. Check this one out:
http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yonderstarshop_2030_68959130
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HAHA! I actually saw that one online before and I thought it looked ok. Probably would’ve looked better without the flashing lights.

The manger is a pain. I tried it out last night and when you turn off the machine, the whole thing collapses which would topple over the figures. Not to mention it looks like one of those inflatable bouncers for children’s birthday parties.

Besides, it probably would be a waste of energy keep the machine on since the only people who would see it are the neighbors across the street (gated community with no traffic). I haven’t seen too many houses with decorations, so I hope I’m not breaking any association rules.

I’m starting to think my mom was right. It doesn’t look right on my balcony, now that I’ve taken it out of the box, ha. The construction of the figures is a little flimsy (the heads are attached with a loose metal rod), and she was concerned that the strong winds we’ve been experiencing lately would blow the heads off.

Oh well, she said we’ll buy a real Holy Family set for next Christmas :D.
 
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