Anyone else who doesn't celebrate Christmas?

MoFree · November 2010

Are there other people who celebrate Hanukkah or other holidays that are not Christmas? Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who doesn't celebrate Christmas, in here and more IRL. When peoople ask me Christmas-related questions, i.e. what we're doing, what's on my list, I always respond that we don't celebrate Christmas. Sometimes people look at me as if I had two heads.

Hanukkah starts on Wednesday evening and will be long forgotten before the Christmas madness is in full force. It's a minor holiday that would not have the status it does if it came at any othe time of year.

When I was in the process of conversion, the rabbi discussed that the hardest thing for converts to give up is Christmas (to each his/her own, but I do not believe Jews should observe a Christian holiday) and that has been the case. Can't wait for December 26 when everything gets back to normal.

Anasara · November 2010

DH is Hindu but he gets more into Christmas than I do as a Catholic! He loves Christmas music especially; he was playing it this weekend, in fact. I work with a very diverse group of folks & 1 lady who is Jewish even has a Christmas tree because she likes ornaments so much. I think Christmas for most folks is an American cultural holiday & not focused on the actual birth of Jesus. I mean, I'm a vegetarian but I still go to Thanksgiving even though I don't eat turkey! But I'm with you: I can't wait for the holidays to be over.

njohnson1972 · November 2010

Well, I don't really celebrate Christmas in the Christian sense. I just celebrate the season. I guess I am a hypocrite.

I have always understood that the Jewish New Year and Passover were the big Jewish holidays - that Hanukkah just gets so much attention because it is so close to Christmas.

Personally, I think diversity is what makes our country so great. A Jewish co-worker of mine had to explain to her son that there wasn't a Santa Claus, but that he couldn't blow the secret to the other kids in daycare. Talk about a mature boy!

SLPMel · November 2010

Almost all of my best friends are Jewish-I had more people that assumed I celebrated Hannukah rather than Christmas. I know because of this I try to be sensitive to those and ask "What is on your wish list?" rather than "What is on your Christmas list?" because my Jewish friends do make wish lists for Hanukkah. I apologize if my post from the previous week offended you-I figured by your response to it you were annoyed by something, so I apologize.

I know I see Hanukkah as a way to celebrate with friends that are Jewish-just as I join them for Purim, Sukkot, or Rosh Hashanah. I ask our friends to join us for our holidays-some of my best memories have been at friends Purim parties, getting gelt at Hannukah, or having them join us for Christmas dinner. We come together-and I learn about them just as they have learned about me. I see holidays as more about having time to come together with family and friends.

Do you not live in a Jewish area? I know for my friends that live in a non-Jewish area it's difficult because people just don't know. For my friends that are Kosher, it takes a lot of explaining when they go to peoples homes. Or explaining why they can't have a baby shower for the 80th time. A lot of my friends find that moving to areas with a Jewish population can be difficult to find-but they don't want their children to be the only ones celebrating Hannukah. I know the area that I live has very few-and it's something they just have never learned about. I grew up on Long Island-which has a very large Jewish population-and for me the exposure has allowed me to join friends and learn about them.

I'm sorry that others forget Hannukah where you are-but I can tell you that it isn't like that every where.

Tanya+Da · November 2010

I don't celebrate Christmas either. I am pagan, so most everything Xmas related fits (christmas trees, etc), but I definitely never say Merry Christmas. I send out holiday cards and all, but nothing Christian. I do love the music and lights and like to take the time to connect with others with all the gatherings. I am usually the one nixing people's Christmas ideas at work saying "Not everyone celebrates Christmas, we need to have a holiday gathering, not a christmas party". My boss and ex are Jewish, so I completely understand your 'frustration'.

We have decided that when (WHEN!!! ) we have a child we will teach them all holidays from all religions. I want our child to learn everything, then make the most educated decision for him/herself on their own spiritual journey.

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