This year for our ward Christmas party our ward put on a night in Bethlehem. Of all the ward Christmas parties I remember attending as a kid, the one I remember was when we had a night in Bethlehem. I hope that at least Ainsley will remember this one, because it turned out to be a memorable experience.
The gym of the church was completely transformed. There were even calls from the vendors selling their food (okay, the one vendor who got into it. And it was awesome.) We all wore very "authentic" biblical clothing as well.
There were all sorts of booths set up. There was a butcher shop where you could purchase a part of your meal. You could also go to the fresh market and get some fruit and veggies. There was a bakery where you could purchase your dessert. A carpenters shop where you could try your hand at carpentry. A toy shop for the kids. An art gallery, a tailor shop, and a "gifts of the magi" second hand store. 
The second hand store is where my kids had the most fun. Everyone brought donations for the night and for just one token you could "buy" anything you wanted! Anything left over was hauled off to the DI. Once Owen caught on to the concept, and realized he didn't want the food, he used all of his money to buy treasures. And since Owen is mister independent and we barely saw him all night (at the ripe old age of 5 he already has his gang that he hangs out with....instead of his family). He shopped without the supervision of his mother....and got a few awesome things. He got an amazing hat that I'm sure will get much use. And he also got a little 2 foot skateboard. The porcelain stocking is Ainsleys. She's a sucker for all thing porcelain.
And last but not least...., Owen "bought" a basketball hoop. Very similar to one he already has that he never plays with. We have yet to convince him that we don't need 2. And in his mind he bought it with his own money. (Forgive the terrible picture...it's still laying out in the garage on the lawn mower. Because we love it that much.)
Our family looking all biblical. Except for Emmie, who would have none of it. 
(John manned the photo booth so we didn't see much of him either. It was just the girls hanging out most of the night. Because Ainsley is still not one to venture out on her own much, unlike her younger brother.)
The gym of the church was completely transformed. There were even calls from the vendors selling their food (okay, the one vendor who got into it. And it was awesome.) We all wore very "authentic" biblical clothing as well.
There were all sorts of booths set up. There was a butcher shop where you could purchase a part of your meal. You could also go to the fresh market and get some fruit and veggies. There was a bakery where you could purchase your dessert. A carpenters shop where you could try your hand at carpentry. A toy shop for the kids. An art gallery, a tailor shop, and a "gifts of the magi" second hand store. 
The second hand store is where my kids had the most fun. Everyone brought donations for the night and for just one token you could "buy" anything you wanted! Anything left over was hauled off to the DI. Once Owen caught on to the concept, and realized he didn't want the food, he used all of his money to buy treasures. And since Owen is mister independent and we barely saw him all night (at the ripe old age of 5 he already has his gang that he hangs out with....instead of his family). He shopped without the supervision of his mother....and got a few awesome things. He got an amazing hat that I'm sure will get much use. And he also got a little 2 foot skateboard. The porcelain stocking is Ainsleys. She's a sucker for all thing porcelain.
And last but not least...., Owen "bought" a basketball hoop. Very similar to one he already has that he never plays with. We have yet to convince him that we don't need 2. And in his mind he bought it with his own money. (Forgive the terrible picture...it's still laying out in the garage on the lawn mower. Because we love it that much.)
Our family looking all biblical. Except for Emmie, who would have none of it. 
(John manned the photo booth so we didn't see much of him either. It was just the girls hanging out most of the night. Because Ainsley is still not one to venture out on her own much, unlike her younger brother.)What I thought was most amazing was that I don't think Santa was missed a bit.
