Mary on the Mantel Advent
The Advent tradition your kids will remember.
Help your kids get ready for Jesus this Advent, one act of kindness at a time. Each night Mary moves to a new spot in your home, and each morning your kids find her with a small act of kindness to do. On Christmas morning, baby Jesus arrives.
Order by Nov 19 for Advent delivery. Free shipping on orders $75+.
"Mary on the Mantel is a wonderful way to do a fun activity with your children and made Advent extra special! My children love seeing what message Mama Mary has for them each morning!!"
Gena C., Mary on the Mantel customer
Somehow Christmas keeps turning into a countdown to presents.
Advent sneaks up, the calendar fills, and the four weeks that are supposed to get our hearts ready fly by. You want your kids to know who you're really waiting for, but you don't have time to plan a whole Advent program from scratch.
You're not behind. You just need one small thing you'll actually keep up with.
Your kids won't remember what was under the tree. They'll remember running downstairs every morning to find where Mary went.
How it works
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1Read the book together
On the first Sunday of Advent, read the children's book and introduce Mary. It explains why she needs your child's help getting ready for Jesus.
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2Move Mary each night
After the kids are in bed, move Mary somewhere new and tuck an Acts of Kindness card into her tote bag. The caregiver guide has ideas for where she can go.
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3Find her each morning
Your kids hunt for Mary, pull out her card and do that act of kindness for someone that day.
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4Jesus arrives
On Christmas morning, Mary trades her pregnant belly for baby Jesus in her ring sling.
Everything is in the box
- Mary rag doll (medium skin tone)
- Pregnant belly for Mary
- Baby Jesus doll
- Ring sling so Mary can carry Jesus
- Children's book by Shannon K. Evans, illustrated by Erica Campbell
- Caregiver guide with ideas for where Mary can go
- 60 Acts of Kindness cards for Mary's tote bag
- Map of the Holy Land for Mary and Joseph's journey
- Keepsake box for storing everything year after year
Recommended for ages 3+.
A gentle alternative to the elf
Same fun of finding her somewhere new each morning, with a very different reason for the season.
| A certain elf | Mary on the Mantel | |
|---|---|---|
| At night | Watches and reports back to Santa | Gets ready to welcome baby Jesus |
| In the morning | A doll in a silly spot | Mary with an act of kindness for your kids to do |
| What it teaches | Good behavior earns presents | Kindness is worth doing for its own sake |
| Christmas morning | Presents under the tree | Baby Jesus arrives |
Families love it
"I've always been anti-Elf on the Shelf. Do the children really get anything out of it? ... I'm so glad I decided to add this to part of our family's yearly tradition."
Gena C.
"This set really brings the story of Jesus and Mary to life ... a great way to focus on the real reason for the season."
K.B.
"This was a gift for my grandkids! They love it!"
Janet
Here in time for Advent
Order by Nov 19 for Advent delivery. Advent starts Sunday, Nov 29.
Free shipping on orders $75+
Anywhere in the continental US.
Questions
Is it like Elf on the Shelf?
It uses the same idea of a doll that moves around your house each night. Instead of reporting to Santa, Mary is getting ready for baby Jesus and leaves your kids a small act of kindness to do each day.
When do we start?
Most families start on the first Sunday of Advent, which is Nov 29 this year, and keep going until Christmas morning, when baby Jesus arrives.
Will it get here before Advent?
Order by Nov 19 for Advent delivery.
What ages is it for?
Mary on the Mantel is recommended for ages 3 and up. With lots of options and even some blank cards, you can pick acts of kindness that fit your kids.
Can we use it again next year?
Yes. Everything stores in the keepsake box, so Mary can come back out every Advent.
Advent starts Sunday, Nov 29.
Order now and Mary will be ready on your mantel for the first Sunday.
Order by Nov 19 for Advent delivery. Free shipping on orders $75+.