Christmas Gifts - Aurora,CO

I don't celebrate Christmas either, and my coworkers and friends all know. Still, they get me (Christmas or Hanukkah) gifts. I used to feel like I had to get everyone something, but realized that was just silly.

I don't feel uncomfortable about it, and since my coworkers continue to give me gifts, I assume they're fine with it too.

I do get gifts for a couple of my very close friends, but that's it.

Here's another idea. How about accepting the gifts, and letting the person know that, since you don't celebrate Christmas, you will be donating anything that you do receive to a woman's shelter, or some other charity. I bet they would be elated that someone thought of them!!
Good luck!

I think it is nice they include you even if they don't expect anything in return. That is a great gift. Just be thankful, you don't owe them an explanation if enough people know you do not celebrate that holiday. If it makes you feel that uncomfortable just try and bite your lip, honestly there are people out there that just love to give and refusing it could hurt their feelings. Maybe after the holidays make something yummy to bring in for everyone as a thank you for their kindness.

How about just giving someone a gift just because you appreciate them or love them and want to express that. I don't think you are celebrating christmas by doing that. Celebrating Christmas is celebrating the reason for that season which is celebrating the birth of Jesus our Savior. You don't have to believe that but you can still take part in showing your appreciation or love for people you work with or for.
just a thought...

Zohra,
Good Luck to you with this matter..
Obviously the people at your office are just gracious people, and I am sure that explaining your personal beliefs would be enough for them to accept.
It is unfortunate that in today's society there are still people like Cathy out there who have yet to realize that not everyone is a Christian. There are many religions and beliefs in our world. Plenty of them have been around quite a bit longer than Christianity. I don't understand how some people haven't evolved enough to understand HUMAN EQUALITY. What a shame!!

I would accept the gifts with a pleasant thank you and stick to your feelings of not giving gifts. You don't mention your religion, but if the reason you are not giving gifts is that you don't believe in celebrating holidays (for example Jehovah Witness), that would change my advice. In that case you should be true to your religion and explain why you cannot accept the gift. I do not give gifts for Christmas due to my personal feelings on gift giving. I do know that it hurts people if I try to tell them not to give me a gift, though, so I have learned to accept and not feel guilty because apparently the other person really does want to give.

People give gifts because they like you. The fact that it's Christmas is the excuse. It's a way for people to express appreciation for you without having to say the words - which is very hard for people.

I'm sorry it makes you uncomfortable, but I believe that people are expressing appreciation for you as a person and for the contributions you make to their work lives.

Maybe if you wanted, you could give back - not Christmas things, but maybe if you celebrate something else, you could bring in some "goodies" for that holiday. It's just an idea - but don't feel pressured to return the Christmas gift favor if you don't celebrate.

i am sorry that some people think that you have to accept Jesus as your saviour. And you shouldnt be put down for that either. it doesnt matter what religion or what customs you celebrate as long as you beleive in something. just know that i think that is ok. as for people giving you gifts, when they give you the gift accept it gracefully and explain to the person that you dont celebrate christmas but that you appreciate the thought. if they are expecting something back then they will take the gift back and if not, they will say so. there are some good b people around and maybe they just think so much of you that they want to give you a gift. if it is not your custome to give gifts then just make sure your co workers understand so that there wont be awkward moments like these . if your religion has another custom whether or not it involves gifts, then maybe you can share that with them. i just dont think religion has a place at work but i realise that no matter what, you cant get away from the joy and the season. and no, yo and i arent going to hell because we beleive in something else that the majority doesnt. and by the way I'm catholic, just not practicing and not agreeing with most of the teachings so i guess im a member of the church of what's happening now.

I don't think you are doing anything wrong, however, if it's making you feel bad, you have a few options... does your religion have a special holliday? if it does, you should get them something at that time. If not, you could always get them something, even this time of year, and tell them it's a "friendship gift" or a "thank you for being ther for me gift" NOT a Christmas gift.

Hi, Zohra...

I don't understand why you accept their gifts? Why don't you graciously say thank you, but since you don't celebrate the holidays because of your religion, you can't accept their thoughtful gifts. You can even suggest that they instead give the gift to a charity (if that's allowed in your beliefs) or keep the it for themselves? After having to explain this a few times, they will all get the idea. It is very nice that you work in a place where everyone appreciates and likes you enough for your company and work.

My husband has an employee who believes as you do, and after he did as I stated above, no one included him in gift giving. However, he has received a few notes of appreciation and hopes for well-being for him and his family.

hi Zohra,
i dont celeberate christmas as well,iam a muslim as i think you are, but we know that we do believe in Jesus as a prohet and love and respect him, and there isnt any harm in celeberating his birthday,that wont effect your believes,if christmas is just the celeberation of the birth of Jesus. i think you should give some gifts or atleast cards to all your coworkers who want to add you in their celeberations... hope it helps

Whoa, Cathy. For you to ASSUME that because someone doesn't celebrate Christmas is because they don't know "Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior" is COMPLETELY off base. I have been a "Christian" my entire life and I KNOW Yahshua is my salvation. When you find that it says He was born on December 25th in the Bible, let me know, because I know I haven't seen it. Your assumptions were rash and unjust, I don't think that's very "Christ like." That's all I'm going to say about that.

Zohra-we don't celebrate Christmas either. It took our families a few years to understand that. They would invite us over or try to give us gifts, but we would gently decline. I think co-workers are going to be a little different. I know what you mean about being uncomfortable. If they know that you don't celebrate Christmas, but still give you gifts, maybe you should just accept them. All of my coworkers respected the fact that I didn't celebrate Christmas, so they didn't give me anything.

If you want to talk more, feel free to message me!

xoxoxo

I agree with you. Your coworkers should respect you and your beliefs- and not bring you gifts. Tell them in respecting your beliefs..."That is the greatest gift you could get, respect".

Hello,

I worked in an office and was close friends with another whom also did not celebrate Christmas. Because I really like her and wanted to show appreciation for all the help she was will to provide, I asked her to accept my token and did not expect a gift in return. I think the co worker you have spoken with probably feels genuinly as she said.
If it would make you feel better, maybe you could return something simple and home made like mini loaf of bread or holiday cookies on your desk to share or wrapped on plate with celophane?
Or, you can just say thanks and know that your co workers are just enjoying sharing with you. Maybe you can share something special with them about you, like maybe you celebrate something else, or just see it as an oportunity to learn more about each other.
In my office I am glad to say it all worked out well, and I made two really good friends who do not celebrate Christian holidays, but we remain good friends.

Merry Christmas, that is to say, may you feel God's love for you this Christmas. :-)
Best wishes,
M.

Yes Christmas is the celebration of Jesus Christ's birth, well if you don't believe in that it's understandable why you wouldn't give a gift. However the spirit of giving out of love is something we can all enjoy. Making someone feel good because you thought about them definetly isn't a bad thing, no religion looks down on that practice or at least they shouldn't.

I think that they sould respect what you believe in. even if people Don't agree they shouldn't agravate you. I think you should just tell them, I can't except your gift. and maybe in the future they will stop.

Absolutely Not. I work at a huge law firm here in Phoenix. I have so many friends here, if I bought presents for everyone who got me something, I would be out of house and home. They have all reassured me like your friend has you, that they are giving something to me because they want to, and would never expect anything back. It is just a nice gesture. You're fine. However, if you do decide to give someone something, my route is to make it very discrete. :o) One of my mentors doesn't celebrate Christmas either, so she just graciously accepts the gifts people give her, and if the are offensive or something she will not use, she gives them to other friends later on. :o) Happy Holidays!