Top
I used to review curriculum, now I create it

Elf on the Shelf Alternative: Mary and Joseph’s Journey to Bethlehem

Are you looking for a fun elf on the shelf alternative? Every year I see those fun little elf ideas, I feel a little sad that we don’t get to participate. However, both my husband and I cannot seem to get over the idea of a naughty little elf who is always watching our children. We have not been able to come to terms with teaching our children that every time they are bad, someone is there to tattle on them and maybe (gasp) they won’t get any presents. Not only does the elf on the shelf contradict what we believe Christmas to mean, but it also sends my children some really mixed messages. I am trying to teach my kids that tattling to get someone else in trouble is wrong. I am trying to instil in them the concept of grace, that it’s okay to mess up. I am trying to teach them to live with integrity, not be naughty when no one else is watching. The elf himself can send some really mixed messages, he is naughty but expects the kids to be nice? I can’t help but feel that it is a confusing little game, though I love the fun aspect of it.

Last year, my sister in law and I were debating what we would do with our children and searching for a fun elf on the shelf alternative. We stumbled across this super cute idea of doing a journey to Bethlehem. We both fell in love with it and jumped right on the bandwagon! We went out and purchased a Little People Nativity Set and had our little Mary and Joseph all ready to go on December 1st. I realize I am a bit late this year, but I really hadn’t even thought of sharing this with you guys! And yet, as I unwrapped my chunky little Mary and Joseph and started preparing them for tomorrow, I was inspired. I pulled out my camera to snap a few photos and put it together in a quick post (or not so quick, the night is rapidly closing in on me!).

In today’s post I am going to show you an idea for each of the 24 days leading up to Christmas through a series of pictures (I find those easier to scroll through). The idea is that on the last day, the children will find them in the stable with their new little baby; the shepherd and wisemen all gathered around. I had so much fun coming up with some original ideas for you guys, and even if it is a bit late, you can TOTALLY jump in whenever you find this post and join us in our journey! Don’t forget to pin this post for later so you can find it again next time!

Fun Elf on the Shelf Alternative with an idea for every day leading up to Christmas! This is super cute!

PIN ME!

Elf on the Shelf Alternative: Mary and Joseph’s Journey to Bethlehem.

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 1st

December 1st

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 2nd

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 3rd

December 3

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 4th

December 4

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 5th

December 5

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 6th

December 6

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 7th

December 7

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 8th

December 8

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 9th

December 9

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 10th

December 10

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 11th

December 11

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 11th (1)

December 12

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 13th

December 13

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 14th

December 14

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 15th

December 15

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 16th (1)

December 16

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 17th

December 17

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 18th

December 18

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 19th

December 19

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 20th

December 20

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 21st

December 21

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 22nd

December 22

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 23rd

December 23

Elf on the Shelf Alternative- Journey to Bethlehem. Fun ideas for each day leading up to Christmas with pictures! December 24th

December 24

Elf on the Shelf Alternative: Journey to Bethlehem… have fun with it!

On Christmas morning, set up the manger scene and have the children come out and see Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus. I hope these pictures gave you some ideas and inspiration. You can do ANYTHING with these scenes, the point is to do what is funny to your kids and/or meaningful. There is a lot of adult humor about pregnancy you may decide to switch out. I would LOVE to hear what you come up with and even see some of your pictures! Come on over to my Facebook page and share your photos at http://facebook.com/rebeccaspoonerpgblog.

Which one is your favorite?

I used to review curriculum, now I create it!