Pushy parents spending a fortune on nativity costumes

Debenhams spokesman Ed Watson said that parents were silly to spend a fortune when the story of the nativity can still be told by using simple and everyday materials. Watson stated that Debenhams are trying to persuade competitive parents to change their minds:

"The amount of money that some parents want to spend on their child's nativity play appearance would enable the baby Jesus to leave the stable and check into a five-star hotel.”

The trend was noticed as personal shoppers were being asked for tips on how to create the ultimate nativity play makeovers; from parents who wanted cheap and cheery advice on readily available materials to some parents that were pushing for extravagance.

Ed Watson suggests that it may be the current lack of places at primary schools throughout the UK that has caused parents to go out of their way to try and get their children noticed (see Balls’ pledge of £100 million pounds to fund more primary school places). He also suggested that throwing money at a costume may be a solution to the lack of time that parents now have as both can have careers.

It was quoted that parents are splashing out especially if their children had more of a minor role. From bridesmaid dresses worth £50 for the role of an angel, arctic fur throws costing as much as £60 for the role of a sheep to parents of would-be shepherds paying £25 for striped velour dressing gowns.

Mr. Watson said: "While we applaud parents wanting to do their very best for their children, we feel certain that the story of the nativity can still be told using very simple materials."