Why exclude poor from nativity sets?

I went out on my own in life when I was 16 hears old....and in the one room apartment I had, during the Christmas season, I made a nativity set out of a cardboard box --and purchased the figures --made from plastic, but well enough made that I still use them --and they look nice.

While I've been blessed with the nativity "barn" and some of the figurines that my grandfather made --at least 60 years ago--those plastic figures now dominate the display.

I've looked over the past decade for low price nativity sets and specifically additional figures--as I'd like to add to my livestock and shepherds--but no one seems to carry them anymore.

Oh, you can pay a lot of money for "grand" nativity sets....and can, for something that at least approached reasonable, purchase little nativity sets....but why no figures?   Guessing the profit margins are limited, but there used to be some margin of profit for the retailers who carried these items, and what a wonderful service to families and individuals without the financial means to purchase other options, or children who wish to set up their own nativity up in their rooms.

Does anyone know where these kinds of items might be found?   What retailers / online retailers might carry them?  

Christmas / Holiday Lights Still Up?

Have been reading --and participating in some --discussion--particularly on Facebook --about people and businesses who leave Christmas decorations / holiday lights up well into January.

As I suggested in another one of my blogs: www.NewEnglandNewsNotes.com --I think businesses miss a great marketing opportunity by putting up decorations a bit ( sometimes, more than a bit ) too early..and whisking them away so quickly after Christmas.  Minus the Santas, Wooden Soldiers, and other "Christmas specific" kinds of decorations--lights and green simply attract customers and prospective customers---emit warmth and welcome.  Why not leave them up at least through the ( at least in New England ) harsh, cold month of January?

In our home, white lights light up a tree in the front window 24-7 --all year round--and we receive many nice comments. ( I imagine some not so nice comments behind our backs also--but we don't care! )  The nativity also stays lit every night inn our bedroom....a wonderful "night light" and calming focus during the many nights when I have trouble sleeping.

This year, I noticed fewer light displays to begin with --and of those--fewer stayed lit --even to New Year Day.  That simply makes this time of year more depressing to me---but everyone has to make their own choices.....

How about you?   When do you put your lights and decorations up?  When do you take them down?

Blessed Christmas to Denominations That Celebrate This Week

Here's wishing a Blessed Christmas to denominations that celebrate Christmas this week!!

Different faiths and denominations utilize different calenders, particularly when it comes to religious celebrations, and some denominations' celebrations tend to get a little over-looked....

May God Bless you as you celebrate this week....

Listening to Christmas Music Throughout The Year

Yes, I confess...I listen to Christmas music throughout the year....not everyday...but regularly....

I listen to primarily "religious" Christmas music---even during the "Christmas Season"---not so much of the "beginning to look a lot like Christmas" selections as the "Joy to the World" .....

Among my favorite tapes ( yes--still have some tapes )--and cds --The Mormon Tabernacle Choir --Vienna Boys Choir--Katherine Jenkins--Julie Andrews --Celtic Woman--Perry Como--just some of the cds I enjoy throughout the year....some were produced decades ago--some very new.....

What are your favorite albums/cds/tapes?

Thank you to Hallmark and other channels

Thank you to the Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movie Channel, ABC Family Channel, and all the other networks that ran so many Christmas television specials and movies this year.

I especially appreciated the 24 hour per day - 7 days a week programming schedule from Hallmark and the Hallmark Movie Channel.  Many of us have "odd" schedules---work nights--have trouble sleeping--or just enjoy watching the same movies several times--and the schedule on those two channels provided many terrific opportunities to enjoy pleasant, fun, holiday fare.

There are always specials and movies that aren't included in any network's schedule--or only run once or twice....Secret Santa ( with Jennie Garth ) --The Man Who Saved Christmas---those are two of the programs that weren't presented ( at least--I could not find them )---but it's difficult to run them all!

Thank you to all the networks!!