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Not in the nativity play

226 replies

PrettyHannukahndles · 15/12/2004 16:58

As ds is being brought up Jewish, I chose not to have him perform in his nursery's nativity play next week, but to let him perform in the rest of the nursery's concert. I've learned today that he is now the only child who will not be in the nativity, as all the other non-performing children will not be at nursery that day.

Suddenly he feels left out. I had a talk with the nursery staff, who told me that he needn't come in uniform that day, as all the others would be wearing their costumes. I suggested that he might like to wear a costume as well, so that he will feel more involved. But what sort of costume could he wear? He wants to wear a red-and-white Santa hat with flashing stars (at least, that's what I think he meant by his rather garbled and excited description ). I'm not sure whether that's appropriate - could anyone suggest something?

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spacedonkey · 15/12/2004 17:03

I can't see what's wrong with a red and white flashing santa hat!

It makes me think of that episode of friends where ross dresses up as The Chanukah Armadillo for his little boy

5goldendillydallys · 15/12/2004 17:03

I think St Nicholas would be nice
or a star
Are angels jewish too?

TheHollyAndTheTwiglett · 15/12/2004 17:03

how about a reindeer costume

I don't think I'd be comfortable with Santa either

PrettyHannukahndles · 15/12/2004 17:03

OK, I have to ask...what on earth is a Chanukah Armadillo?

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TheHollyAndTheTwiglett · 15/12/2004 17:04

um st. nicholas is patently christian

an angel would be ok wouldn't it? but what little boy wants to be an angel

DS wants to be a ninja turtle in his nativity (that's if he stops puking for long enough)

TheHollyAndTheTwiglett · 15/12/2004 17:04

hahahah SD .. remember that episode .. they couldn't find a santa costume so he got an armadillo costume instead

spacedonkey · 15/12/2004 17:05

well exactly! It was the only costume left in the hire shop so the Chanukah Armadillo was entirely Ross' invention. Guess you had to be there ...

ladymuck · 15/12/2004 17:05

Dressing up sounds a very good idea (esp as these events are great photographic opportunities) though Santa does sound a bit over the top!

What are the other children wearing? At ds1's nativity the boys were dressed as kings, shepherds or animals. Whilst there are usually only 3 kings, would one of these categories suit ds? At least he would blend in?

That said I saw another nativity which had children dressed as snowmen and christmas trees, so I guess it can be stretched if necessary.

PrettyHannukahndles · 15/12/2004 17:05

I don't think I'm bothered about a Santa costume - after all he/it's so commercialised now that I doubt anyone thinks of Santa as St Nicholas. But I'm not sure whether it's appropriate at a nativity - never been to one before, oddly enough .

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5goldendillydallys · 15/12/2004 17:06

My nephew was "Gold" in his nativity play and they played Shania twain songs too

spacedonkey · 15/12/2004 17:06

he could always be a donkey ...

PrettyHannukahndles · 15/12/2004 17:07

Snowman or non-sheep/donkey animal sound good - what other animals are there at a nativity for him not to be? The only ones I've heard of are sheep and donkeys.

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spacedonkey · 15/12/2004 17:08

he could be a star?

bundleofyulelogs · 15/12/2004 17:08

what about myrrh?? v fragrant...
have the shops sold out of teatowels, or could he still be an extra shepherd??

TheHollyAndTheTwiglett · 15/12/2004 17:10

you know you can buy body disco lights .. flashing lights you wrap around you for a night out (can't remember where I saw them)

he could go as a christmas decoration (which could cross over to chanukah I suppose) .. sounds like he'd like the flashing

PrettyHannukahndles · 15/12/2004 17:10

I could always dress him as a shepherd and say he's King David before he was king . OK for Jewish, and very in keeping with a nativity, I htink...but possibly a bit subtle .

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bundleofyulelogs · 15/12/2004 17:11

if it's too subtle you could always pop the flashing santa hat on top for a bit of crass commercialisation...

ladymuck · 15/12/2004 17:11

Not sure that you should have too high an expectation of a nursery nativity (though yours might be more sophisticated than mine). Ours went to the theme of "We're going on a baby hunt, we're going to find a special one" Only took 5 minutes. But very cute.

PrettyHannukahndles · 15/12/2004 17:12

He's a little nudist, but hasn't yet discovered flashing .

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PrettyHannukahndles · 15/12/2004 17:13

Aww, ladymuck, that's cute

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TheHollyAndTheTwiglett · 15/12/2004 17:14

the kings were muslim weren't they? 'kings of the orient and all that'

PrettyHannukahndles · 15/12/2004 17:15

No, they were pagans - Islam came about 7-8 centuries after Chrustuanuty.

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PrettyHannukahndles · 15/12/2004 17:15

Oops.

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spacedonkey · 15/12/2004 17:17

could he go as a chanukah candle (has christmas connotations too so covers all bases?)

ladymuck · 15/12/2004 17:17

The innkeeper was Jewish I guess....(Herod too, so there is scope for a 4th king ).