Bad Nativity ideas
 

A friend and I were discussing how Lou Dobbs melted down on his show on Friday, because Nadine Strossel of the ACLU kept insisting that Nativity scenes and public property (such as schools) weren't a good mix.

I came up with a great money-making idea that'd split the difference and be an ironic commentary on the situation -- a Nativity scene entirely composed of Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus figures.

With that, we were off and running, trying to think of alternative Nativities that would stop short of getting our houses firebombed. (Michael Jackson leering over the Baby Jesus, for instance, is probably right out.) We're aiming for something that'll make homeowners' associations squirm, not something that'll bring picketers.

So far, our favorites are:
* Pink flamingoes. They're easy to find, come in different sizes, and have that certain kitsch factor.

* Giftwrapped boxes. Christmas? Overcommercialized? Nah.

* Star Wars action figures. Darth Vader as Joseph, naturally: "Luke, I am your father. Join me."

Anyone else want to reserve a seat on the train ride to hell?

I have friends who build small nativities out of just the sort of items you describe. Once, they built a Star Wars nativity with dinosaurs as the stable beasts.

I keep encouraging them to do a large scale version on their lawn, but they seem to feel that it might draw unwanted attention.

Smurfs
Muppets
Looney Toons Characters
Super Hero Action Figures
GI Joe/Barbie
Cabbage Patch Kids
Lawn Jockeys (might get you into trouble)
Yard Gnomes
Bobble Head Dolls
Bush/Saddam/Bin Laden/etc dolls with interchangable heads
Stretch Arm Strong

While I was in college I came up with the idea of a dress up Jesus. The clothing would come in various sizes depending on the size crucifix you already owned.

Someone had a parallel idea, and put up a webpage.

I'm sure somebody could do a sex toy nativity.