The Birth of Jesus Advent Calendar and Nativity Scene (Agostino Traini Pop-Ups, 4)

I ordered this before checking with my husband, the pastor of our church, whether or not it would be a good portrayal for his "Children's Messages". After it came, I realized that it does not strictly confine its display to the original Christmas (you probably have not heard about a pizza delivered to the stable, right? LOL). However, my husband told the kids that each person gave a different gift according to that person's vocation, so the pizza delivery was a fitting gift given by someone who makes pizzas. The espresso was a fitting gift from a barista- their vocation is to serve others by making coffee, and we joked that Mary & Joseph may very well have needed coffee at that time. So, while you should not depend on this version to show the original Christmas, it may still teach values that would please our Lord.

This Advent calendar is sturdy enough to keep. The pieces will stand up using slots on the board. The box opens up and stands without any problem. My younger grandsons like it a lot.

Full disclosure, I work for 1517 Media and Beaming Books, but that only allowed me to experience this calendar firsthand and I am being impartial and honest when I say this is for every family who wants to count down the days to Christmas. The art is adorable, the pieces are sturdy and stand strong in their assigned slots, each day's character fits back into the storage flat like a puzzle to fold up for safekeeping till the next year, and there is a bonus figure for the three wise men! I can't wait for December 1 to start counting down.

I’m a fan of the illustrator’s whimsical pop-up books so was excited to see this adorable advent calendar at a gift shop over the weekend. The art is charming and the quality is good—it feels like a wooden puzzle! I love that it folds back up into a neat package for easy storage with my Christmas decorations. My 5-year-old and I can’t wait to do this together! Her favorite figure is Mary. Mine is the 3 wise men, who (appropriately) show up on the 26th. Fun!

I love this nativity scene Advent calendar. My two year old thinks it's really fun to add a piece every day. The characters include the traditional Bible people you expect, but also ones you don't expect like a man carrying pizza and women bringing hot beverages (they probably were there anyway.) I'm hoping this will become an annual tradition. So cute and a better way to countdown the days before Christmas than a cheapo chocolate calendar.

This is a great idea, very colorful and interesting figures. BUT it is hard for children to fit the figures into the slots AND when you put in a new one, the old ones fall over. Frustrating. Not worth the cost. Disappointing.

There is not any instructions about who these characters are... a man with a pizza? A man with a log and a axe, a lady with a coffee pot??? I had hoped for bible based characters perhaps with Scripture ref or instructions....wasted money in our house.