Fisher Price Little People Deluxe Christmas Story - A Nativity Scene for Little Kids
Written: Dec 01 '02 (Updated Jan 15 '03)
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Pros: Little People, Kid Safe "decoration" that is very playable, lots of figures
Cons: No Volume
The Bottom Line: A wonderful way to for kids to learn and play about the story of Christmas. *Kid Safe Nativity*
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| marytara's Full Review: Fisher Price Little People Deluxe Christmas Story |
"And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."
~Luke 2:7
As a child, I have many fond memories of setting up and admiring, and gasp playing with my parents beautiful creche scene made of porcelein figures and set up in the same tradition each year. We would wait until Christmas eve upon returning from midnight mass and place the baby Jesus figure into the manger. I can't put to words the feelings of wonder and attraction that this little figure held for me, but there was always something that was quite special about it. I remember always wanting to play with the figures and re-enact the events but it was not allowed (I did it anyway) for fear of breaking them.
Fisher-Price has come up with a solution to this and has created a creche that is both playable for kids and darling enough to put on display at the holiday times.
History of this playset
I missed the ball last year when Fisher Price offered their original Little People Nativity via their catalog. Since it was out of stock I checked ebay and was not shocked to find that Little People Nativity sets were selling for well over a hundred dollars.
Where to Purchase
A few months ago I found they were selling Little People nativity playsets again, and I jumped at the opportunity. I purchased the Fisher Price Little People Deluxe Christmas Story for $30 at the Fisher-Price online store. The product is considered to be a catalog exclusive and is only available for purchase through the Fisher Price mail-order catalog or in their online store and are considered to be a "must-have" item for Little People fans and collectors alike. My son and I both enjoy play with Little People and this set was a welcome addition to our ever growing collection of Little People.
A more basic version of the Fisher Price Little People Deluxe Christmas Story called A Little People Christmas was offered for purchase on ToysRUs.com for only $19.99, without sounds and lights, and quickly sold out. The set is identical to the Fisher Price Little People Deluxe Christmas Story but does not have a light up star, nor does it play a tune.
What's Included in the Fisher Price Little People Deluxe Christmas Story Playset
Included in the Fisher Price Little People Deluxe Christmas Story is a small manger made of plastic made to look like wood and hay. The manger stands about 6 inches high by 10 inches wide. In addition to the manger, there are 4 fence pieces which are made to look like stone fencing in a sturdy gray plastic. The pieces snap together and can also be attached to each side of the rear of the manger stall. On the back of the manger, there is an on/off switch as well as a battery compartment for 3 AA batteries (screwdriver is required to change or remove the batteries).
On the roof of the manger is a small post that fits any standard Little People figurine. Though any Little People figure will work, the intention is for the Little People Angel to be placed on the post. When the angel is pressed on, the star on the front of the manger lights up and an instrumental version of the song, Away in a Manger begins to play.
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.
The inside of the manger is tiny and made to hold only the Little People Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus. Mary is wearing a pale blue robe and veil and Joseph is in shepherds clothing with a staff. Baby Jesus is swaddled in white cloth and nestled in a makeshift bassinette made of hay.
The Three Wisemen - Caspar, Balthasar, and Melchior come bearing gifts - Gold, Frankincense and Myrhh. It is interesting because my understanding of the Magi one was to be from Asia, another from Africa and another from Europe. Surprisingly, Fisher-Price has kept this true to the telling of the story as one figure is Asian, another African American and the other Caucasian in appearance. Of course, with them is their camel figure.
To round off the Fisher Price Little People Deluxe Christmas Story there are a few more animal figures including a little white sheep, a brown cow and a little grey horse or it might actually be a donkey. Also included is a small plastic bale of hay that opens up to look like a wooden feed trough for the animals.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle til morning is nigh.
Overall
The Fisher Price Little People Deluxe Christmas Story is a very sweet and magical set that can be used for decorative purposes, play, and teaching. If you are looking for a nativity scene for your toddler or preschooler that can be used to teach the story of Christmas without fear of being broken then look no further.
My son loves this playset especially activating the tune with which he will rock and sway to the music. I enjoy watching him create different stories of his own and along with him. He seems really drawn to putting the baby Jesus figure on top of the manger, instead of inside it but if this makes him happy I'm just fine with it.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And take us to heaven, to live with Thee there.
The joy of Little People figurines and playsets is that only the imagination is required and these characters can be interchanged with any of the playsets for further creative play.
FYI: If the figures included in this set look familiar to you
The figures included in the Fisher Price Little People Deluxe Christmas story appear to be dressed up versions of the Little People figurines from other sets. For example, Mary and baby Jesus look quite a bit like the Little People family figures that come with the Little People Home Sweet Home set - Linda the Mommy and Baby Ashley. Joseph, however, isn't John the Daddy from the HSH set since he does not have glasses, he may in fact be Farmer Jed from the farm set (hrm....) Its hard to be quite sure since his head is covered. Sarah Lynn, the popular little blonde girl figurine is the angel. The Three Wiseman are none other than Sonya Lee the little Asian girl dressed in a red robe, Michael the African American boy dressed in turquoise and Chuck the little caucasian boy dressed in blue. Their camel is reminiscent of the one included in the Little People Baby Zoo Animals set. And the animals, the cow, sheep and horse are from the Little People Farm animals.
Goes well with these Little People playsets
Other Little People Biblical Sets
Little People Noah's Ark
Other Little People Christmas Sets
A Little People Christmas (Nativity without Sound/Lights)
Little People Musical Christmas Train
Little People Christmas Village
Little People Christmas Activity Center
2002 Little People Sarah Lynn's Christmas Tree (Ornament)
2002 Little People Eddie's Christmas Tree (Ornament)
* Each year new collectible ornaments are offered
My Standard Little People Warning!
Fisher-Price states that this toy is for ages 1 year and up. Fisher Price Little People could pose as a choke hazard for small children so please supervise your child while playing with this set. On a side note, the Little People of today are significantly less of a choke hazard than the simpler version of the past. Being larger and with appendages it would be a difficult feat to get in your mouth. (I tried and it was not a pleasant experience - but that’s not to say a child wouldn't do it.)
The Little People Deluxe Christmas Story requires 3 AA batteries (NOT included) in order for the lights and sounds to activate.
To clean this playset- use a damp cloth with soap/water or a baby wipe. Little People figures themselves are washable by immersion or in the dishwasher top rack.
For More Info
http://www.fisherprice.com/us/littlepeople
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Lyrics and verse to Away in a Manger:
Words: Verses 1 & 2, anonymous, in Little Children’s Book for Schools and Families, by J. C. File (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Evangelical Lutheran Church in North America, 1885). Some sources show the author as Martin Luther; this attribution (probably incorrect) is based on the title “Luther’s Cradle Hymn,” given to these words by the composer, James Murray. Verse 3 is by John Thomas McFarland (1851-1913).
Info from: http://www.jesuscaressite.com/lyrics/awaymanger.html
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 30
Type of Toy: Playscene
Age Range of Child: 12 to 36 Months
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marytara
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