From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

thriftmonster

Only if you have a nativity set (and I don't do it now as I celebrate Yule) but we used to set the nativity set up without the Christ Child (added Christmas Eve) and without the wise men and camels. They started out the far end of the house and the children moved them each day closer and closer to the stable. Sort of elf on the shelf without the stress. And it became a tradition to see where they could get each day. Our set was quite chunky so there needed to be space for 3 wise men and 3 camels

Greying_Pilgrim

Aw thanks thriftmonster, we don't have a nativity set, but I've seen reference to the 'moving of pieces' closer each day.  I'm trying to think which vlog it was I saw it on..... I'm thinking it's SofiasTales, she's Swedish, and it's a tradition from there - or is theirs just the 3 wise men?  Perhaps it's for Epiphany 🤔 

Way, way, way before LG was even a twinkle, there was a craft centre in Greying Town, and one of the stall holders did wood carving.  It was possible to purchase animals or characters individually, and build up to whatever you desired - a nativity, noah's ark, a farm, a zoo...... but unfortunately the craft centre closed down and although one or two artisans remained in the town, I never did know where the wood crafter went.  I've never seen such figurines since, so we've not built up a set ☹️ We do have a little carved nativity, but it's only a tiny model, and it's all fixed together.  

I have to say, I much prefer your nativity activity idea to the Elf.  I know some people really like doing it, but we never started - it was regrettable that school actually did have the elfontheshelf, causing chaos in the classroom in the early years setting. A misstep as far as I'm concerned, but then it was other people who had to clear up the messes, so it didn't affect us (at home).  And to their credit, LG has never asked for us to do elfontheshelf at home.  

I do like the concept of 'moving toward' or 'building up' in Advent.  Again, not everyone's cup of tea, but I prefer it to just conspicuous consumption of chocolate - for our household.  

Ta for popping by 😁

Greying X

badmemory

I know I am an old cynic, but all these new things like the elf just seem like more & more ways to con us out of our money as they use them to upset our children.