These delightful smaller-scaled wooden figures come to us from the studios of Michael Engelberger, in Germany, and David Palhegyi in Hungary.

Made by a group of dedicated artisans in the Republic of Georgia, we cannot say enough about these beautiful distinctive toys. Handcrafted from birch and alder woods, finely finished and painted with exquisite detail, each and every one is a small work of art.

For over forty years, the Ostheimer company has been producing some of the world's finest wooden figures. Believing that the best toy is one that is enlivened by a child's imagination, Ostheimer handcrafts simple expressive forms with rounded contours and sheer washes of color. We offer one of the largest Ostheimer selections on the internet, and can special order any item at no extra charge.

Here you will find all manner of folk - from families to farmers, castle figures to fairy tale characters.

If we had to choose a favorite toy - one that children come back to again and again - it would be a simple wooden animal or figure, beautifully crafted. These pieces will reward you many times over with the hours of joy and invention they inspire, and are some of our most popular gifts.

A selection of trees, landscape and other pieces to help set the scene. Ostheimer's beautiful Ark can also be found here.

Sets of favorite animals and fairy tale characters

Unlike traditional nativity sets that are meant to be looked at but not touched, these beautiful pieces were designed for hands-on play. Whether you start with a complete set or add to your collection year by year, this is a lovely way to introduce your child to the Christmas story. We offer the classic-sized figures as well as miniature sets that are ideal for a child's room or smaller spaces that cannot accommodate a full-scale nativity.