Page 6 | I do not like nativity plays

ZippyPeer · 2025-12-09T17:34:47+00:00

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

Needmorelego · 09/12/2025 19:41

Lambington · 09/12/2025 19:39

Yanbu. State funded schools should not be prompting religious propaganda.

It's only religious if you believe it.
Otherwise it's just a fictional story about a baby born in a barn.

DancingInTheMoonlights · 09/12/2025 19:49

TheTaupeScroller · 09/12/2025 19:37

When school finally bans "siblings" attending, it become a lot less hellish. No toddler running around screaming ruining the performance, babies kept at the back and removed as soon as noisy (because in theory they should not even be there, so parents DO take the hint)

It doesn't take much to make the nativity more bearable (and mulled wine as said above 😂)

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I’m inclined to agree! 😊

Ladybyrd · 09/12/2025 19:53

supersonicginandtonic · 09/12/2025 19:41

Sports day, nativity, children's parties, soft play etc etc.
do parents love them? No
Do parents do them because they love their children and want to share the experience with them? Yes

I love sports day. There’s a big picnic on the school playing field and it’s always good.

It’ll probably piss it down every year from now on.

EatMoreChocolate44 · 09/12/2025 19:58

I'm a primary school teacher. We have our nativity tomorrow. I loved seeing my own children in their shows. The costumes, singing and their innocent little faces. I am really proud seeing them on stage and it always makes me feel festive. As for the kids in my class, yes it's boring in places but they love performing for their friends and family. It gives them a sense of pride and team work. It teaches them important skills such as taking turns, being patient, joining in, singing, dancing, coordination, following instructions, rhyme, reading with expression etc etc. It's a lot of work for the staff and thankfully our parents really appreciate our hard work and enjoy seeing their little stars shine.

Newsenmum · 09/12/2025 20:02

Who on earth expects to enjoy them? It’s for your child and for them to feel special and to make you proud! And practice drama
skills.

cotswoldsgal1234 · 09/12/2025 20:07

It’s usually very cute and a rite of passage. Stop looking into it too deeply and stop being a fun sponge….

Tigerbalmshark · 09/12/2025 20:07

FeliciaFancybottom · 09/12/2025 17:58

Were you expecting this?

We got this! And a reworking of Kraftwerk (“We are the Romans”). DS’s headmaster is the same age as me, and puts plenty of Gen X references in.

Our primary school plays and assemblies are 50% chaos and 50% brilliance. The whole school takes part in the Christmas play (it isn’t always a nativity) and it generally involves random children running on and off stage, multiple bursts of song, dancing, in-jokes about school life and teachers. Always hilarious, not always intentionally. I love them.

MargaretThursday · 09/12/2025 20:10

What's it about?

It's about little Jamie who in year R took one look at the audience and hid under his chair... but in year 2 has managed to say his line "The Kings are here" loud and clear because he's gained that confidence.
It's about Maia who's very shy, but has loved learning the "star" dance and feels that she's now making friends with the other "stars".
It's about Billy who would love to perform, but his parents are unable to afford it, taking a part he loves.
It's about Emily who sings beautifully, but no one knew this before she was given a line in the show to sing.
It's about Taylor who has always been the one who gets into trouble, but he said his lines with such expression the audience gave him a spontaneous round of applause, and suddenly he feels that he can do things.

It's about the class working together, learning the songs, listening to each other.

And it's about them standing in front of their family, knowing that their family is proud of them and came to watch them because it was something where they were important - even if all they did was open and close the curtains.

I chaperone, for amateur performances. I have a couple of children in my head when people say how pointless performing was.
One was a little lad who commented that even if all he did was "walk across the stage carrying a sign that said "London" dressed all in black" - to his Mum he was the star. Wouldn't you like your child to know you are that proud of him?

The other was a little one who took one look at the audience the first show and said she couldn't go on. By the end of the run she was speaking her lines with confidence and cried because it was over. She turned to me and said "I wish my school could see me. They'd know then that I can do something well".
Maybe your child doesn't need to find something that they can "do well", but another one does.

5128gap · 09/12/2025 20:10

I've got DC in their 30s and 20s and GC at primary school and in nursery. And the last nativity play I experienced was the one in which I played an angel in 1975. I've sat through plays about talking Chrismas trees, elves, santa losing his sack of toys, numerous renditions of when santa go stuck up the chimney and one play about zoo animals that santa forgot, in which DS played a monkey.
I'd LOVE to watch a nativity play, and if the DC sang away in a manger at the end...I'd be a melting puddle of christmas joy.

Treehousemug · 09/12/2025 20:11

YABVU

I was the innkeeper’s wife! A fine role.

I loved watching mine in their nativity plays. They only did them in infants so they were all very cute and low key.

Special times. Genuinely one of my favourite bits of their childhood.

I still have a Pavlovian crying response as soon as I see a procession of little angels and shepherds even if they aren’t mine!

Thechaseison71 · 09/12/2025 20:12

Well they are tedious. Don't last long though and it pleases the kids to see you there

Dollymylove · 09/12/2025 20:13

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...

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Jesus Christ (pun intended)

You must be a barrel of laughs 🤣

Tigerbalmshark · 09/12/2025 20:16

Needmorelego · 09/12/2025 19:41

It's only religious if you believe it.
Otherwise it's just a fictional story about a baby born in a barn.

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Yep we have a very diverse school, and there were comments from parents last time they did a nativity.

Our headmaster managed to explain it was about refugees in Palestine, Joseph role modelling being a good man by standing by Mary even though she was already pregnant, living under an oppressive police state, the coming together of rich and poor (wise men and shepherds). He should be on Thought for the Day!

Cavalierorwhat · 09/12/2025 21:03

Nativity today to see my little one. Enjoyed seeing him perform and dance and was amazed at the talent of some of the others. But I did see others who were scared, bored, and one in particular who was clearly emotionally struggling to be on stage, trying to disappear into his costume. Could feel his pain.

Soashamed60 · 09/12/2025 21:06

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...

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It's just the traditional nativity story, a bit of fun at Xmas. Wives would have done the cleaning in those days anyway. One little school nativity play is not going to brainwash little children into thinking a woman's place is in the home, being a good wife doing all the cooking & cleaning.
Save your feminist stuff for when your dd is old enough to understand 🙄

MumbleBumbleAppleCrumble · 09/12/2025 21:14

MargaretThursday · 09/12/2025 20:10

What's it about?

It's about little Jamie who in year R took one look at the audience and hid under his chair... but in year 2 has managed to say his line "The Kings are here" loud and clear because he's gained that confidence.
It's about Maia who's very shy, but has loved learning the "star" dance and feels that she's now making friends with the other "stars".
It's about Billy who would love to perform, but his parents are unable to afford it, taking a part he loves.
It's about Emily who sings beautifully, but no one knew this before she was given a line in the show to sing.
It's about Taylor who has always been the one who gets into trouble, but he said his lines with such expression the audience gave him a spontaneous round of applause, and suddenly he feels that he can do things.

It's about the class working together, learning the songs, listening to each other.

And it's about them standing in front of their family, knowing that their family is proud of them and came to watch them because it was something where they were important - even if all they did was open and close the curtains.

I chaperone, for amateur performances. I have a couple of children in my head when people say how pointless performing was.
One was a little lad who commented that even if all he did was "walk across the stage carrying a sign that said "London" dressed all in black" - to his Mum he was the star. Wouldn't you like your child to know you are that proud of him?

The other was a little one who took one look at the audience the first show and said she couldn't go on. By the end of the run she was speaking her lines with confidence and cried because it was over. She turned to me and said "I wish my school could see me. They'd know then that I can do something well".
Maybe your child doesn't need to find something that they can "do well", but another one does.

Beautifully put!

Scarlettpixie · 09/12/2025 21:19

It doesn't matter if you hate it you still have to go. Your child will most likely be gutted if you don't (whether they enjoy it or not).

Soashamed60 · 09/12/2025 21:22

Did your daughter enjoy taking part? Was she proud to be in it and of you coming to watch her? If so then that is the reason you turn up. Whether or not you enjoy them is irrelevant. I can't believe you are saying you will not bother to attend them in the future. Your poor daughter.

Original poster

ZippyPeer · 09/12/2025 21:26

MargaretThursday · 09/12/2025 20:10

What's it about?

It's about little Jamie who in year R took one look at the audience and hid under his chair... but in year 2 has managed to say his line "The Kings are here" loud and clear because he's gained that confidence.
It's about Maia who's very shy, but has loved learning the "star" dance and feels that she's now making friends with the other "stars".
It's about Billy who would love to perform, but his parents are unable to afford it, taking a part he loves.
It's about Emily who sings beautifully, but no one knew this before she was given a line in the show to sing.
It's about Taylor who has always been the one who gets into trouble, but he said his lines with such expression the audience gave him a spontaneous round of applause, and suddenly he feels that he can do things.

It's about the class working together, learning the songs, listening to each other.

And it's about them standing in front of their family, knowing that their family is proud of them and came to watch them because it was something where they were important - even if all they did was open and close the curtains.

I chaperone, for amateur performances. I have a couple of children in my head when people say how pointless performing was.
One was a little lad who commented that even if all he did was "walk across the stage carrying a sign that said "London" dressed all in black" - to his Mum he was the star. Wouldn't you like your child to know you are that proud of him?

The other was a little one who took one look at the audience the first show and said she couldn't go on. By the end of the run she was speaking her lines with confidence and cried because it was over. She turned to me and said "I wish my school could see me. They'd know then that I can do something well".
Maybe your child doesn't need to find something that they can "do well", but another one does.

I like this, thanks for the explanation.

I guess as someone less involved I can't see all this stuff,but can see how for the type of kids you've mentioned it is a real boost

OP posts:

HoppingPavlova · 09/12/2025 21:29

The play wasn't funny or an interesting story

Was it being a nativity play a surprise to you when you got there? Were you expecting another form of play or review?

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 09/12/2025 21:32

MargaretThursday · 09/12/2025 20:10

What's it about?

It's about little Jamie who in year R took one look at the audience and hid under his chair... but in year 2 has managed to say his line "The Kings are here" loud and clear because he's gained that confidence.
It's about Maia who's very shy, but has loved learning the "star" dance and feels that she's now making friends with the other "stars".
It's about Billy who would love to perform, but his parents are unable to afford it, taking a part he loves.
It's about Emily who sings beautifully, but no one knew this before she was given a line in the show to sing.
It's about Taylor who has always been the one who gets into trouble, but he said his lines with such expression the audience gave him a spontaneous round of applause, and suddenly he feels that he can do things.

It's about the class working together, learning the songs, listening to each other.

And it's about them standing in front of their family, knowing that their family is proud of them and came to watch them because it was something where they were important - even if all they did was open and close the curtains.

I chaperone, for amateur performances. I have a couple of children in my head when people say how pointless performing was.
One was a little lad who commented that even if all he did was "walk across the stage carrying a sign that said "London" dressed all in black" - to his Mum he was the star. Wouldn't you like your child to know you are that proud of him?

The other was a little one who took one look at the audience the first show and said she couldn't go on. By the end of the run she was speaking her lines with confidence and cried because it was over. She turned to me and said "I wish my school could see me. They'd know then that I can do something well".
Maybe your child doesn't need to find something that they can "do well", but another one does.

What a beautiful post - it made me cry.

Absolutely, it is about all of this. And so much more.

Thank you for posting.

Original poster

ZippyPeer · 09/12/2025 21:33

Soashamed60 · 09/12/2025 21:06

It's just the traditional nativity story, a bit of fun at Xmas. Wives would have done the cleaning in those days anyway. One little school nativity play is not going to brainwash little children into thinking a woman's place is in the home, being a good wife doing all the cooking & cleaning.
Save your feminist stuff for when your dd is old enough to understand 🙄

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That's one of the key messages of the feminist movement, little kids absorb societal norms and pressures early on, gotta start the fight against the patriarchy from the beginning.

So yeah, I guess I don't want to create the impression that women/girls are only accessories to or defined by their relationship with men/boys

OP posts:

Vaguelyclassical · 09/12/2025 21:35

ZippyPeer · 09/12/2025 17:58

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?

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I promise you that Nativity Plays are not limited to Britain! And as for the plot not being action-packed enough or whatever, the script makers are kind of limited by canon . . . .

HoppingPavlova · 09/12/2025 21:37

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

If you are talking about gender roles around 0BC, then I don’t think women, while working their arses off, we’re listed as having occupations or were identified by name in any census (although would be good to have an actual historian confirm). My understanding is, a man would have been the Innkeeper, Cheesemaker or Winemaker, even though their wives would have done a huge amount of the work also they didn’t have a ‘professional title’. I also presume around 0BC that women did the cleaning given they were still solely doing it through to the 1970’s. So, it seems the play was fairly historically accurate.

DriedHydrangea · 09/12/2025 21:49

IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 09/12/2025 19:17

Thankfully my daughter is in a multicultural school who don’t seem to do the nativity. I am not complaining, I find them tedious and dull.

DS was at two primaries in two countries, both with kids from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds. One was a secular school and didn’t do a nativity. One, a C of E school, did — I remember Joseph being Sikh in the Year 1 one, and a bunch of Muslim elves attended the birth of Jesus.