Nativity costumes, specifically headwear. Is it offensive?

[NaturalBlondeYeahRight]

My adult DD just messaged me. They want to dress in nativity costumes for a charity run but was wondering if it was appropriate to wear tea towels/fabric on heads for the Shepards? She asked if we do at primary school still (yes we definitely do)
My first instinct is yes, of course it's ok. Its what people wore for practicality back in those times. But am I right? I'm not sure.

Who's she concerned about offending? Is it Christians or people currently living in the Middle East?

A plain cloth would be ok as proper headware from that time.
They were not muslims at that point. Scarves were practical wear. But noce cloth, not a random towel. Like nice piece of fabric. Brown or white if I remember correctly would be proper

Yeh you can't do tea towels on heads in a fun run that is just weird.you can order nativity costumes on Amazon but think it sounds a terrible idea for a fun run anyway.a definite no to tea towels though,that may have been ok for primary school kids needing emergency costumes but it's not ok for fun run adults,get a proper costume.

Yeh, nativity is definitely a no no it could offend non-Christians, I think she should try being more inclusive and go as Muhammad.

This I know😅

They're going to struggle them given the religious significance of the nativity!!

They should go as the Pope or a Nun...

I am sure that's been done before.

What about an angel?

Or one of the animals or expand the brief to make it Christmas related

What are you talking about? I swear, half of the people in this thread haven't read the OP properly...

A sheep?

Or....how about Herod?

Actually biblically accurate angel could be interesting costume😂

Shaun the sheep

Lol but easy to do

Jews?

IMO it's not appropriate to dress as nativity figures and it could lead to a multitude of complaints.

They could go as Christmas trees, elves, Santa, snowmen, Rudolf etc without causing any issues.

Yeah, religion themed costumes are not appropriate for a charity run unless you're looking to offend.

It's a charity run, not a church service!!

Christ, just be a tree or Santa like everyone else and stop drawing controversy on yourself. I'm catholic. I wouldn't like it on two fronts:

1. it's a charity run so I would take it as being done as a pisstake and

2. I would expect adults to know better than a teatowel on the head.

{woodhill · Today 13:21

What about an angel?

Or one of the animals or expand the brief to make it Christmas related}
The nativity scene in my French village has squirrels, owl and a fox.
We also have a library in a fridge but we are happy.

Surely running as shepherds would be tricky, the robes and crooks could easily turn out to be a trip hazard. And the sandals would lead to dreadful blisters.

I wouldn't. If they wanted to do the Christmas theme, could they do Santa/reindeer/any other festive but not religiously affiliated costumes instead?

Same

What about other xmas stuff? Trees, presents, gingerbread cookies, tinsel......

I think people have lost the plot. It is a fun run in aid of charity. You can literally wear what you like. It's not supposed to be historical, or accurate. If anyone is offended that is their problem.

Right.... so you'd be totally cool with someone blacking up for it then?

Not the same at all, and you know it.