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Original poster

I do not like nativity plays

188 replies

ZippyPeer · 09/12/2025 17:34

Went to my first one to watch my daughter, huge discovery that I do not like them. My view:
The play wasn't funny or an interesting story.
An irritating number of sexist stereotypes in the reimagined story - innkeepers wife fgs.
A few kids clearly actively hated being involved - not enjoyable to see them suffering.
Lots of the kids looking exceedingly bored or like they didn't really want to be there.
Reminded me of when I had to perform in them as a child and the literal hours of waiting around doing nothing during rehearsals and on the day and being told to shush and sit still - so boring.
Nice to see my daughter doing her bit and some of the other kids I know, and see the differences in the way the kids were on stage, but like, no where near enough to offset the other stuff...

Probably I won't go again and will leave it to the enthusiasts, but are there other people who feel this way?

Am absolutely bemused by the number of people who seem to love them.

Yabu - do you have no soul, the nativity is delightful
Yabu - it's a pain in the arse we all have to endure

OP posts:
ThisSillyBeaker · 09/12/2025 17:59

The innkeeper’s wife could possibly be just another way to get another character in somewhere and in a way where that person could contribute via something they were capable of doing in front of a crowd/trying to sprinkle some laughter through the story?

SeaAndStars · 09/12/2025 17:58

The very last time I saw my best friend she had come from her eldest child's nativity play. She was so full of Christmas joy and pride at seeing him in the play.

Within a week she had died of a heart attack. She was only in her early 30s.

Enjoy these things for what they are whilst you can OP.

If you are lucky, one day you'll be an old lady looking back on these happy days and wishing you'd hoovered up every moment.

Original poster
ZippyPeer · 09/12/2025 17:58

SharpMintUser · 09/12/2025 17:49

If you’re being serious, and you aren’t going to go support your DD again because you don’t find it “funny/inspiring” then you are seriously a terrible parent and should be ashamed.

Lol

Or is just a weird tradition we do in Britain that benefits hardly anyone and actually we would be better binning off the whole thing?

OP posts:
FeliciaFancybottom · 09/12/2025 17:58

Were you expecting this?

life of brian GIF
NuffSaidSam · 09/12/2025 17:57

I LOVE a nativity! I feel like Christmas has really begun once I've watched a nativity play.

Perhaps your DC's school just isn't very good? The ones I've seen have had a broadly enthusiastic cast and haven't been horrendously sexist. Always a laugh or two as well.

Ladybyrd · 09/12/2025 17:56

ZippyPeer · 09/12/2025 17:50

Right. But if quite a lot of the kids do not seem to be enjoying it (maybe they are but I just can't tell?) and the parents aren't enjoying it...what is the point?

Show quote history

The point is showing up for your child if not yourself. It’s like birthday parties. Not my favourite way to spend 2 hours, but we take ours to those we can because it’s about their socialisation.

TheVengaBusIsComingMyBusPassIsForthcoming · 09/12/2025 17:56

ZippyPeer · 09/12/2025 17:50

Right. But if quite a lot of the kids do not seem to be enjoying it (maybe they are but I just can't tell?) and the parents aren't enjoying it...what is the point?

Show quote history

Not sure what level of acting you're expecting from a bunch of kids, but most of them really do enjoy it.

If you don't want to show up for your kid because the acting isnt up to your standard, then don't, you don't need justification from anyone else.

FeliciaFancybottom · 09/12/2025 17:56

The play wasn't funny or an interesting story
What is it your first experience with the nativity story?

TheChosenTwo · 09/12/2025 17:55

Well I think we’ve found the grinch.

KilkennyCats · 09/12/2025 17:55

ZippyPeer · 09/12/2025 17:52

Aren't they just an innkeeper? Why do they need to be a wife?
In this particular retelling they were obsessed with cleaning...a sexist stereotype I could do without...

Show quote history

Oh, give over, ffs.
You do know when the birth of Jesus actually happened, right?
Or maybe not…

orangewasp · 09/12/2025 17:55

I used to enjoy them. Even if I hadn't I'd still have gone, being a parent is about supporting your kids not being entertained.

Allswellthatendswelll · 09/12/2025 17:55

Who doesn't enjoy their own child's nativity?!?

DS has a non speaking part and I can't wait!

Enigma54 · 09/12/2025 17:54

Bloody hell OP, the nativity is the tip of the iceberg in this parenting lark! 😂😂

goldtrap · 09/12/2025 17:54

Probably I won't go again and will leave it to the enthusiasts

genuinely lol-ing 😂

Jesus Reaction GIF
Nimbus3000 · 09/12/2025 17:54

ZippyPeer · 09/12/2025 17:50

Right. But if quite a lot of the kids do not seem to be enjoying it (maybe they are but I just can't tell?) and the parents aren't enjoying it...what is the point?

Show quote history

I always loved being in and rehearsing for the nativity when I was a kid. I wasn't a natural performer but did enjoy it and particularly loved this as part of the build up to Christmas.

80smonster · 09/12/2025 17:53

They only do them reception to year 2. Ours were always of a very high quality, they spent a long time preparing for them. I was always touched by how brilliant the kids were. If the kids can’t sing or dance, what’s the point! Maybe your primary isn’t particularly creative, hard to say without being a fellow parent.

motleymop · 09/12/2025 17:53

What's the deal with the innkeeper's wife? Is she a nasty type?

Needmorelego · 09/12/2025 17:52

ZippyPeer · 09/12/2025 17:50

Right. But if quite a lot of the kids do not seem to be enjoying it (maybe they are but I just can't tell?) and the parents aren't enjoying it...what is the point?

Show quote history

You could say "what's the point" about 90% of what's taught/done in schools.

Original poster
ZippyPeer · 09/12/2025 17:52

KilkennyCats · 09/12/2025 17:47

What’s your issue with the Inn keeper’s wife??

Aren't they just an innkeeper? Why do they need to be a wife?
In this particular retelling they were obsessed with cleaning...a sexist stereotype I could do without...

OP posts:
MaplePumpkin · 09/12/2025 17:51

KilkennyCats · 09/12/2025 17:47

What’s your issue with the Inn keeper’s wife??

Came here to say this too!

Needmorelego · 09/12/2025 17:51

My daughter's school didn't do them and I think she missed out on an important part of childhood because of that 🙁
They did do plenty of class assemblies and other plays....which were a mix of terrible and fantastic but a Nativity would have been awesome - even if the kids were terrible 😂

Alittlefrustrated · 09/12/2025 17:51

I volunteer in a school and the kids have been very excited about them! 🐪🐪🐪👑👑👑

Original poster
ZippyPeer · 09/12/2025 17:50

TheVengaBusIsComingMyBusPassIsForthcoming · 09/12/2025 17:39

It's just one of those things you do for the sake of showing up for your kids.

Right. But if quite a lot of the kids do not seem to be enjoying it (maybe they are but I just can't tell?) and the parents aren't enjoying it...what is the point?

OP posts:
SharpMintUser · 09/12/2025 17:49

If you’re being serious, and you aren’t going to go support your DD again because you don’t find it “funny/inspiring” then you are seriously a terrible parent and should be ashamed.

Allofthelightss · 09/12/2025 17:49

Carol concert at the local church now my daughter is in KS2. Much less painful. I’m with you. Unless your kid has a starring role it’s a long old slog.

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