“It is a constant stream of messages from people with little tiny kids who thank us for just having something that’s focused on the real meaning of Christmas,” Kalberer said.

The Giving Manger is meant to encourage acts of service: Family members place one piece of straw for in baby Jesus' manger for every good deed performed.

Why do we love this? Well, it is working together as a family to fill the manger with service and love. Making Christmas less about the presents and the elfs destroying our homes every night. The focus is on giving and the real meaning of Christmas. Something that is easily forgotten during this busy time.

My absolute favourite time of the year. We have so many traditions from both myself and Jamie's childhood, which we have loved sharing with our children, they are so important to us. We have also gained a few new ones along the way from beloved friends and some I have just stumbled across.

Even toddlers can help out with small chores around the house: putting laundry in the washing machine, feeding the family pet, emptying small trashcans, etc. This gives them the opportunity to think about what to gift others, not just what they want to receive. Getting creative on their tiny budget brings joy to the whole family!

The Giving Manger uses a storybook that gets kids and families excited about the idea of giving to others. As Christmas approaches, each member of the family looks for opportunities to serve. Sometimes in the small, simple ways, sometimes in bigger ways. As they give a piece of straw is added to the Manger; on Christmas Day, the Manger is filled with Baby Jesus.

"You know we were trying to thank them and show kindness but how cool that they showed the kindness back and they had no idea that that loader was on his Christmas list and how much he loved that," said Hetterick.

Christmas has become a very consumerist time of year. We “get” stuff at Christmas, and sometimes can forget the spirit of giving that really should be associated with the season.

No matter what your faith, celebrating kindness is something we should all be making more time for at Christmas and the Giving Manger is the perfect way to do this as a family. Created by American sisters, Allison and Lisa, The Giving Manger has become a fun and interactive family Christmas tradition that celebrates the act of giving, rather than receiving, in the run up to Christmas Day.

Honestly the children were so excited to start and so far we have racked up a few straws each. I love hearing what they have done, whether it be at school or home, and asking me if it deserves a straw. Being kind is the only thing that matters and we hope they carry this tradition through to their little families too.

Get the whole family involved in creating this nativity scene with a twist: every time someone does something kind or thoughtful, a piece of straw is placed in the manger. By December 25, the baby Jesus willy be comfortably ensconced on a bed of straw, thanks to your good works as a family.

I think this is one of the greatest new Christmas products to hit the shelves this year.

The whole elf on a shelf thing is really cute, but this tradition is so much more meaningful.

It's a simple way to encourage your kids to do nice things for others every day until Christmas.

This is a tradition my own mother started when I was young so it holds a lot of nostalgia for me and I was so happy to FIND THE SET.