I think we have a nice balance of both kind of decorations. I have two beautiful nativities that I just love and I have all kinds of decorations around the house and on my tree. We actually have four trees. The big one in the living room with white lights, burgandy ribbon, angle on top, a very small tree on a table in the front window decorated in all red and each girl has one of those fiber optic trees in their rooms. Sam has hers in pink and Grace's is purple to match their rooms. We do 3 or 4 gifts per child plus Santa fills the stocking and brings a gift. This year each girl is getting an American Girl doll from Santa. Their stockings will have candy, mittens, some jewelry, and then Grace will have dress up shoes and barbie clothes and Sam will have dance knee pads and hair stuff.
I had a beautiful nativity snow globe, but it got busted a few years back. It played "Silent Night". We have lots of both!
My mom gave me this nativity which is the baby Jesus in the manger surrounded by angles and it plays Away in a Manger. Love it! I love snow globes too Jackie. I just got a new Santa one.
We don't do themed things like Disney Princess for stockings because those things are "fads" and we don't allow "fad" things to become part of our traditions. Christmas is full of old traditions and making your own. I like classic decorations that never go out of style. We also don't do Disney Princess or anything that's a fad for a room theme just because one year it's hot and the next year it's not! The stores are full of Hannah Montana and Camp Rock and I keep pointing out that one day soon there will be a more popular movie out and then what? Money wasted!
Admittingly, I did not read all the responses. I do allow secular things at Christmas. I get my kids an ornament every year...but the ornament represents something special about them...like something that they liked or something they accomplished that year...etc. I did get my dd a silver dove this year and explained to her it was a symbol of peace and a type of the Holy Spirit. So, some things have more of a spiritual meaning. We are trying more and more to keep Christ in Christmas but some things just don't bother me. As long as it doesn't go against my beliefs I am not against it. However, if you made a stand, then stick to it. YOu are not a meanie! You are trying to glorfiy God. In doing that you will give your kids a bigger gift than anything wrapped under the tree.
Three gifts because that is what baby Jesus received! Becky, we've been doing that since my kids were pups, 19 years!
Emma's tree is filled with a lot of different ornaments. She has ballerinas on her tree, old wood characters and funky disco looking ornaments. LOL But no Disney. We are not big on Disney around here except some of their movies. Our large tree is more organized and represents Christ. Regardless, you need to stick to your guns and do what is best for your family.
Just my opinion, but I wouldn't make a big deal out of this. Christmas is magical, and to your little one, so is Disney. I made issues out of little things like that when my kids were young, and I wish that I could turn the clock back. Your child isn't thinking "secular" and "religious", she's just thinking magical. It's part of her world, and in my opinon, it isn't evil. Just my two cents from one who has been there and now has regrets over sweating the small stuff.
