Mums and dads are spending up to £150 to make sure their child is the star of the annual Nativity Play.
Tatty old tea towels, old net curtains and tinsel are no longer good enough for competitive mums and dads, according to Debenhams. Instead, new designer clothes bought especially for the occasion are becoming the norm in church halls and school assemblies across the UK. Virgin Marys are appearing in luxury pashmina shawls instead of old towels, and the Nativity Angels are swapping cheap tinsel for expensive sparkly jewellery
So great is the trend that Debenhams has now asked its country wide team of personal shoppers to persuade customers to see sense. Ed Watson, speaking for Debenhams, said: “The amount of money that some parents want to spend on their child’s Nativity Play appearance would enable Baby Jesus to leave the stable and check into a five star hotel. It’s silly and we’re doing all that we can to persuade competitive parents to change their minds it is the season of good will after all. Their sons and daughters will still look wonderful wearing a pair of pyjamas and a sheet rather than the latest dress or coat straight from the high fashion cat walk.”
Debenhams first noticed the trait around the start of nativity play rehearsals. The company’s teams of in-store personal shoppers were suddenly deluged for advice on how to create the ultimate Nativity Play makeover. While the majority of parents simply wanted advice on how to use cheap, readily available materials for the greatest effect, others only wanted the best. Brand new dresses instead of old cast offs, new striped dressing gowns, bangles, faux fur wraps, jewelled turbans, brand new pillow cases and sheets are just some of the items in demand. And ironically, parents whose children are playing minor roles such as Donkey or Sheep are prepared to spend DOUBLE the amount spent on Mary and Joseph.
Ed Watson said that some parents "....may be panicking because they are expected to make their children’s costume for the play but don’t know how, and so have decided to throw money at the problem. While we applaud parents for wanting to do their very best for their children, we feel certain that the story of The Nativity can still be told using very simple materials.”
Among the most popular items bought by competitive parents are:
 Brand new ivory white bridesmaid dresses costing £40 for the role of “Angel.”
New Artic Fur throws costing almost £60 for the role of “ Sheep”
New grey fleeced duffle coat with hood, costing £14. When ears are added it makes the perfect “Donkey” costume.
Blue Velvet dress costing £21 for the Virgin Mary.
Baker stripe Velour dressing gown costing £25 for Shepherds
Glamour jewelled turban costing £8 for Wise Man.
December 2009 | 
Give The Gift of Life This Christmas
