Christmas Party Question...what should I do...

So on Friday's I go to a playgroup at the local evangelical church, its really friendly and an old lady gives you a cup of tea. It only costs 50p and I really like it. So next week they are having a Christmas party and we have to bring a small gift for Father Christmas to give to our own children...this makes me feel slightly uncomfortable as we are jewish. NOW, I hear you saying, just go with a present for the kid. BUT I don't know, something about it just makes me feel a bit uneasy. I never felt that Christmas was for me and I always felt very far removed from it....

So, should I just go with a present or make a big deal of saying, no, we don't celebrate Christmas...

WWJD?

Re: Christmas Party Question...what should I do...

I would bring the gift, but explain it to Noah. He probably won't understand either way, but atleast you will feel like your not going against your beliefs. Maybe make it like it's just a winter gift as opposed to a Christmas gift.

Message edited 12/8/2006 11:33:41 AM.

Re: Christmas Party Question...what should I do...

I don't want to tell you what to do, you have to decide what you're comfortable with, but I will say this, if you decide to go don't go w/o a gift only b/c Noah will feel left out and get upset if everyone else is getting a present and sitting on the big guys lap. if you're uncomfortable then I say skip it entirely.

Re: Christmas Party Question...what should I do...

Re: Christmas Party Question...what should I do...

If it were me, I wouldn't go. I know i wouldn't feel comfortable going to something like that at all.

I woudl just say we can't make it. If you need to give an explanation, I would just thank her for the invitation and say that I am Jewish and leave it at that.

Re: Christmas Party Question...what should I do...

I would skip the event or bring a toy that Noah already has just so he has something to play with.

Re: Christmas Party Question...what should I do...

I would skip the event if it were me unless they were going to give Noah a gift & say it's from them, not Father Christmas. There is nothing wrong with accepting a gift for Hannukah

Re: Christmas Party Question...what should I do...

If you don't feel comfortable...don't do it.

Just say you don't celebrate Christmas....do you think they would give attitude about that?

Re: Christmas Party Question...what should I do...

Bring the present, and say you're giving it to DS from yourself and not from "Father Christmas" since you're Jewish. I mean what can they do kick you out of hte group??

Re: Christmas Party Question...what should I do...

I am Jewish as well BUT I also would be comfortable with it BUT thats me. I totally hear from you that you arent and honestly, because you arent I probably would not go. I think the playgroup is nice but go with your gut and your heart.
I have to edit it and agree with the girl above me...I reread the part about Father Christmas giving the gift. I would probably want to give my child the gift as well.

Message edited 12/8/2006 1:17:00 PM.

Re: Christmas Party Question...what should I do...

I am not uncomfortable with going, they are the nicest church ladies ever! And they don't make us come and listen to bible stories! But I am uncomfortable with Father Christmas giving Noah a gift. I do want to go...so I will continue to think of what to do. I will probably just do it since he is only 11 months old and won't understand...

What a screwed up kid...a brassy sassy LI Jew for a mother and a quiet civilised Brit for a father...what combination is that???

Re: Christmas Party Question...what should I do...

Re: Christmas Party Question...what should I do...

I was raised Christian and DH raised Jewish. Neither of us are religous but plan to celebrate both holidays with DD who is now 6 mos. I've been buying Hanukkah decorations and gifts and trying to learn about the holiday for DD's sake because I feel like its sorta her heritage even though her dad isn't a religous Jew. I think its important for her to experience the holidays both mom and dad have experienced. However, that being said, I would feel differently if I wanted her to be Christian and I was invited to a Hanukkah party.

Re: Christmas Party Question...what should I do...

We sometimes forget that Christmas is about the birth of christ and celebrating there such. If it's just going to be a gift exchange,and no mention of Jesus Christ, why not go, it would be good for you guys to experience different things and traditions.

With that said, I am catholic, DD is going to be raised with my faith, but DH is jewish. Just because she will be catholic doesn't mean she won't know what hanukkah is, the traditions, or attend temple.

i have many of times attended temple with DH, and he has gone to church many times as well. I understand his traditions and he explains the torah, and he is familiar with the bible. After all, isn't the torah the old testament :)

All in all, we do what we are comfy with, but I would go, even if the gift is from father christmas, i am sure it wont mess him up too much and when he grows up he will be subjected to christmas and santa anyways.

But that's just my opinion

Re: Christmas Party Question...what should I do...

I'd say go with your gut. If it's something that you don't feel comforatble with I say just don't go. When they ask the next time you see them. Tell them you just couldn't make it. No biggie.

Re: Christmas Party Question...what should I do...

Holy Crap, can you believe that after all this I remembered that I made my husband take that day off so that we could go into town and go shopping for his parents crimbo pressies! Dur, what a silly billy I am!!

Re: Christmas Party Question...what should I do...

doesnt matter much now since you will be shopping for crimbo pressies

but I was going to say go and use it as an advantage to teach him about other cultures. Obviously he wont get it this year but I would imagine you will be facing similar situations every year.