to think that a riding helmet will ruin the aesthetic of Mary on a donkey?

[Slubberdegullion]

Dd2 has been asked to be Mary on Christmas Eve for the evening outdoor service at our village church. She has to ride on a donkey (Lucius) up the church path through the folk of the village (bearing lanterns). It's all very tastefully done. She then dismounts and gets given the baby Jesus. A tableaux is formed in the church porch of all the other characters. It's Christmas Level 11.

The issue of the riding helmet has been raised again. Last year dd1 was Mary yes this is a Nativity top trumps stealth boast win and we turned the riding helmet down, because well, it would look LUDICROUS for a start.

I mean, really, is riding for all of, I dunno, 25m up a church path at a sedate pace that dangerous? I think not, but I await festive donkey related horror stories with interest.

How did he run himself over, after the potato eating?
Off to google

Could you disguise the helmet as a halo?

He leant out of the car door to throw up and his foot slipped onto the accelerator, he fell out and ran himself over. I think.

listed: ah, that explains it.

So, more evidence of Brian damage, eh?

I'm reading poor Brian's story. It's very moving.

Well the car was moving. As were the baked spuds with cheese and tuna mayo.

I should think at least as big a risk as your dd falling off onto her head from the donkey is the donkey kicking anyone nearby, so that would mean everyone, including adults, has to wear riding helmets.

In fact, walking can lead to some nasty falls, so just helmet up everyone, spectators included, with body protectors and maybe knee pads, just in case?

Alternatively, common sense could prevail.

He was really hungry wasn't he?

He really was Slubber.

Sounds v v like the village where I grew up. am sure donkey was Lucius. Love him and am v jealous won't be there this year!

For everyone's sake, forgo the helmet please. No accidents in many many years of this tradition. Have a lovely Christmas ??

Proper lol at the entire village donning helmets for carols round the tree.

I have no view in regards to the helmet bit my ds4 IS the donkey in the School nativity and get this He talks, he had lines, 12 lines to be precise to say! He is only 6 and the donkey is quite a main role in the play so I am beyond excited

The girl who plays Mary in the play has to pretend to ride him as well!

Aw 5madthings. Donkeys with lines are pretty high scoring in nativity top trumps

Donkeys are pretty much sofas with legs

^^ that

There's a massive difference between riding a horse and sitting on a donkey for 10 minutes.

You don't know what might happen. If a child gets loose and runs at the donkey, getting tangled in its legs, it might spook.

Just stick a hat on her.

2015 years ago, or thereabouts, Mary would have been walking & Joseph would have been sitting atop said donkey. So, if it has to be realistic, do that.
Or... just wrap a large blue length of fabric around her head, (& sensible protective hat because this IS the 21st century & we like to keep our children safe), then try & divert all aesthetic energies to the real Christmas message. (Oh, & when we all, my good self included, can fulfil the message behind the feeding of the 5,000, or forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive others that trespass against us, (t'would be the end of AIBU, I know), thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Even in biblical times, (when Jesus went missing & Joe & Mazzer found him preaching in a nearby synagogue), child safety came 1st.

Amen. Here endeth the lesson.

Obviously, King Herod never got the message.....

Doesn't quite make sense in the middle; clicked post instead of preview & it won't let me edit!
(Oh & when.......in heaven. Then might be the time to consider how the pretend Mary looks, but remember...

Hero's, bit of a laaaaad!

Bldy Kindle, NOT Hero, HEROD!

If an elderly donkey walking 35ft across a churchyard is too dangerous, why not simply stick Mary on a Segway?

She'd be there in seconds.

Oh my god MrsMook I proper looked at that.

Poor Brian! I am howling though. :o