One of my goals this November is to share amazing Christmas products, so you will have time to purchase them to enjoy during the season. Today I begin my reviews with The Giving Manger by Allison Hottinger and Lisa Kalberer.
From the Publisher:
Each Giving Manger Box Set contains a hardcover picture book, a wooden manger, a bundle of straw, and a sturdy Baby Jesus figure -- everything your family needs to start the tradition in your own home.
How It Works
The included picture book, The Giving Manger, will help your family understand the tradition and get children excited about participating. Once you have read the story, place the empty manger in a prominent spot in your home. In the days leading up to Christmas, family members can place a piece of straw in the manger each time they perform a kind deed or act of service. Filling the manger will become a fun, interactive project for your family, prompting even young children to look for ways to love and serve others.
As your family works together to fill the manger with straw, your hearts and home will fill with the joy and contentment that comes not from wish lists and getting, but from giving and loving others. On Christmas Day, your family can place the Baby Jesus in the manger -- now full of the straw that represents the acts of love and service done in honor of Jesus' birth.
Each Box Set Includes:
- The Giving Manger Picture Book: a heartwarming story with beautiful cut-paper illustrations that presents the tradition and will get kids excited about participating
- Wooden Manger: to be placed in a visible spot in the home, waiting to be filled
- Bundle of Straw: pieces of straw to be placed in the manger after each act of service
- Baby Jesus: to be placed in the manger on Christmas day
Each item in the box is built to last so your family can keep the tradition going year after year.
Note: The Giving Manger is intended for display use.
From Me:
Inside the box is a picture book, The Giving Manger by Allison Hottinger and illustrated by Emily King, the pieces for the manger, a bundle of straw, and the Baby Jesus. The manger easily fits together and comes apart for easy storage. There are grooves on the manger to slide the legs in. The idea of adding the straw into the manger for a good dead is not a new idea. However getting a picture book that explains it as well as the manger, straw and baby make it a perfect set.
The book tells the tale of a family who does not have much. The father usually carves the kids toys for Christmas but he tells them this year there will be an extra gift that will come on December 1st. The kids are so excited but when they find out it is a manger with a bundle of straw they are disappointed. However through the story they discover how amazing giving and doing for others actually is. They learn that their good deeds are gifts for Jesus. The father has a carved Baby Jesus for them on Christmas morning to put in their manger that is filled with their love. The only thing I was mildly disappointed with is that the Baby Jesus in the set is not made out of wood, but I'm sure that is to help keep the price down.
The pictures in this book look like collages or glued papers. They are beautifully done and add to the dimension and more. I love how the pictures illustrate the book without giving definite details to the family.
I love how the story makes homemade gifts important as well as giving and helping others. I love that the kids learn that doing for others and giving to others not only makes the receivers happy but also the givers. The messages are so wonderful and powerful. This book set helps bring Jesus into your Christmas! It also makes a wonderful gift. There is a dedication page in the book if you gift it.
So if you are looking for ways to focus on Jesus more during the holiday season, grab one of these sets!!
Plus check out our products we have shared in past years to help keep the meaning of the season in your Christmas!
- Picture Books for Younger Kids
- The Sparkle Box
- Jesus Calling for Christmas Books
- Printable Names of Jesus Ornaments for Advent Calendar
- Focus on the Nativity Books & Crafts
- Family Stories for Advent Books 1-3 and Book 4: Ishtar's Odyssey (These are among Hazel's favorite books to read during Advent)
