Fontanini nativity snow globes :  what they are and where to find them

Looking for an unique and relatively inexpensive Christmas gift which can be passed down your family for generations?

You've just found it!

Fontanini's hand painted nativity snow globes offer a range of designs and sounds which will be a hit with any family member - or keep it for yourself if you want to inject some Italian traditions into your own family's Christmas.

Important note: Be very careful when buying snow globes: choose either "Fontanini" or "Fontanini by Roman" (Fontanini's main distributor for many years).  Many of those online are not genuine Fontanini products but cheap imports from China.  All the snow globes featured here are genuine Fontanini.

What's so special about Fontanini's Christmas snow globes?

Fontanini is a small, family-run business based in a tiny village in Tuscany. They employ local craftspeople to produce some of the most detailed nativity ornaments you'll find anywhere, and they've become part of Italian Christmas traditions world-wide.

Each nativity scene is made of a tough resin and the figures are always hand-painted in colours which can't be reproduced on a mass scale.

This company is very careful about where they sell their goods. They're exclusive rather than a mass producer and, although their products are very much in demand they choose not to export to many countries.  

So you can buy in the knowledge that your gift is both authentic and relatively uncommon.

The globe below is a traditional, very simple, nativity scene.  Buyers comment on the quality of the workmanship, as is common for all true Fontanini products.

This globe stands 5.5" tall and plays "O Holy Night".  A great choice for your nativity decor.

Click here for more information and to purchase.

Who will love them?

They're not a toy but a decoration, so they're not suitable for children.  

For young adults though, particularly those just starting off in their own home who may not have much disposable income, they make a wonderful gift to begin a 'family heirloom' Christmas ornament collection.  Add to it year on year - gift ideas solved for the foreseeable future!

Are your family roots Italian?  Nativity snow globes will reflect your heritage

Although snow globes aren't an Italian invention - they were first patented in Vienna in 1900 - nativities, or "Presepe", certainly are.  Every Italian home has at least one nativity scene, and usually more.  It's something of a passion in Italy, and Christmas markets always have hundreds of different nativity figures.

Fontanini developed their range of nativity snow globes in the early 1900s and they're now one of the most successful Italian companies. So buying one of these ornaments is buying into one of the oldest Italian Christmas traditions.

The globe below is from the Glitterdome Collection and is distributed by Fontanini's long-time partner, Roman Inc.  It is designed and manufactured in Tuscany, and is 4.75" tall.

Read more and purchase this glitter dome here.

And finally - one of our favourites

This sparkling glitter dome features the three Kings and plays the tune "We Three Kings". It stands 6.75" high.

We particularly like the intricate blue base and the peaceful scene.

Read more and purchase on this link.

Looking for more inexpensive Italian Christmas gifts?

More Christmas gifts from Amazon

CLICK HERE for a great selection of Italian Christmas gifts on Amazon!

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