Holiday Etiquette

[Lavabe]

This is not meant to be a thread about being PC, or ruining holiday spirit, or anything like that. It's about etiquette.

As I've mentioned before, there's a lack of bagels in Lexington. I mean, LegacyLady says she knows of no one else in her school who is remotely Jewish.

What is the proper response, when someone:
a) asks how I celebrate Christmas.
b) asks how I celebrate Christmas (even after I say I'm Jewish).
c) asks why we don't have up lights, inflatable santas, elves, and lit-up reindeer on our lawn? I mean, LegacyLady claims that kids have called our house a "Grinch" house.

PAGING CTN'S HEAD ELF!!

[TillyGalore]

This is not meant to be a thread about being PC, or ruining holiday spirit, or anything like that. It's about etiquette.

As I've mentioned before, there's a lack of bagels in Lexington. I mean, LegacyLady says she knows of no one else in her school who is remotely Jewish.

What is the proper response, when someone:
a) asks how I celebrate Christmas.
b) asks how I celebrate Christmas (even after I say I'm Jewish).
c) asks why we don't have up lights, inflatable santas, elves, and lit-up reindeer on our lawn? I mean, LegacyLady claims that kids have called our house a "Grinch" house.

PAGING CTN'S HEAD ELF!!

If you put up a tree and exchange presents in the secular tradition of Christmas, isn't that celebrating Christmas, regardless of your religion? I'm not being snarky, I'm asking a legitimate question.

In terms of inflatable santas and lit up reindeer, ask those bible thumping Christians if there were inflatable santas and lit up reindeer at the manger for the first Christmas. Now, I'm being snarky.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Every year my company sends out Christmas cards to our clients, and we have to sign them. This year, who ever picked them up chose a very religious card. I noticed it but didn't say anything, and then the tech behind me said as he was signing them "these sure are Jesusy". I wonder what our Jewish clients are going to be thinking when they recieve their cards. It seems the idea behind the card is to show respect to the clients by expressing wishes and that we are thinking of them....and yet we may very well be telling some people "we don't respect you or your beliefs at all, happy birthday Jesus."

[Miles]

This is not meant to be a thread about being PC, or ruining holiday spirit, or anything like that. It's about etiquette.

As I've mentioned before, there's a lack of bagels in Lexington. I mean, LegacyLady says she knows of no one else in her school who is remotely Jewish.

What is the proper response, when someone:
a) asks how I celebrate Christmas.
b) asks how I celebrate Christmas (even after I say I'm Jewish).
c) asks why we don't have up lights, inflatable santas, elves, and lit-up reindeer on our lawn? I mean, LegacyLady claims that kids have called our house a "Grinch" house.

PAGING CTN'S HEAD ELF!!

I think it's a good opportunity to educate, not in a condescending manner, but just let them how you celebrate during this season. Tell them about Hanukkah, and what it means for you and the family (assuming you do celebrate Hanukkah). If they're too thick to draw analogies and respect the joy and love that you experience, then fuck em. As far as lights and stuff, I guess you could be snarky and tell them you don't have any inflatables because you're not tacky, though I do like lights.

If all else fails, just tell them that you and the family watch the 1992 East Regional Final every year on Christmas Morning.

[gadzooks]

If all else fails, just tell them that you and the family watch the 1992 East Regional Final every year on Christmas Morning.

THIS! (BTW, that game is going to be shown on ESPN Classic at 8 PM on 12/22. It's a Christmas miracle! )

[Lavabe]

If you put up a tree and exchange presents in the secular tradition of Christmas, isn't that celebrating Christmas, regardless of your religion? I'm not being snarky, I'm asking a legitimate question.

In terms of inflatable santas and lit up reindeer, ask those bible thumping Christians if there were inflatable santas and lit up reindeer at the manger for the first Christmas. Now, I'm being snarky.

Point 1: I'd be all up for celebrating Hanukkah if it weren't for the fact that it always seems to be ruined by finals (and grading them). Christmas, to me, is a time to celebrate the end of a semester, and to be with family. So yes, I DO celebrate the "secular tradition".

Point 2: Gift exchange is part of Hanukkah as well. Latke exchange, however, is more important. ;)

Point 3: I have yet to figure out a polite way to communicate snarkiness about lawn displays.

[Lavabe]

If all else fails, just tell them that you and the family watch the 1992 East Regional Final every year on Christmas Morning.

THIS! (BTW, that game is going to be shown on ESPN Classic at 8 PM on 12/22. It's a Christmas miracle! )

OH YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have a winner!!!!!

I'll try out the line!!!

Oh, that's PERRRRRRFECT (just like Christian's shooting percentage in that game)!!!!!

[gadzooks]

If all else fails, just tell them that you and the family watch the 1992 East Regional Final every year on Christmas Morning.

THIS! (BTW, that game is going to be shown on ESPN Classic at 8 PM on 12/22. It's a Christmas miracle! )

OH YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have a winner!!!!!

I'll try out the line!!!

Oh, that's PERRRRRRFECT (just like Christian's shooting percentage in that game)!!!!!

BTW, I just double-checked, and my TiVo still says 12/22 at 8 PM, but ESPN's website says 12/23 at 9:30 AM. So it'll be on one of those days.

[TillyGalore]

If you put up a tree and exchange presents in the secular tradition of Christmas, isn't that celebrating Christmas, regardless of your religion? I'm not being snarky, I'm asking a legitimate question.

In terms of inflatable santas and lit up reindeer, ask those bible thumping Christians if there were inflatable santas and lit up reindeer at the manger for the first Christmas. Now, I'm being snarky.

Point 1: I'd be all up for celebrating Hanukkah if it weren't for the fact that it always seems to be ruined by finals (and grading them). Christmas, to me, is a time to celebrate the end of a semester, and to be with family. So yes, I DO celebrate the "secular tradition".

Point 2: Gift exchange is part of Hanukkah as well. Latke exchange, however, is more important. ;)

Point 3: I have yet to figure out a polite way to communicate snarkiness about lawn displays.

I think Point 1 is exactly what you should state. I'd rather hear an honest response than than someone state what they thing is socially acceptable response.

Point 2 - you exchange latkes? Why exchange something everyone else is making? Again, a serious question.

Point 3 - next time I see an inflatable Blue Devil, should I pick it up so you can put it in your front yard?

[DukieInKansas]

I think Point 1 is exactly what you should state. I'd rather hear an honest response than than someone state what they thing is socially acceptable response.

Point 2 - you exchange latkes? Why exchange something everyone else is making? Again, a serious question.

Point 3 - next time I see an inflatable Blue Devil, should I pick it up so you can put it in your front yard?

Can I try answering #2 & #3?

2 - to get more latkes and see who makes the best

3 - yes - and send one to Kansas, also.

[DukieInKansas]

This is not meant to be a thread about being PC, or ruining holiday spirit, or anything like that. It's about etiquette.

As I've mentioned before, there's a lack of bagels in Lexington. I mean, LegacyLady says she knows of no one else in her school who is remotely Jewish.

What is the proper response, when someone:
a) asks how I celebrate Christmas.
b) asks how I celebrate Christmas (even after I say I'm Jewish).
c) asks why we don't have up lights, inflatable santas, elves, and lit-up reindeer on our lawn? I mean, LegacyLady claims that kids have called our house a "Grinch" house.

PAGING CTN'S HEAD ELF!!

Suggest they watch the Friends episode with the Holiday Armadillo. Let Ross explain to them, via his son (whose name I can't recall), about Chanukah vs Christmas/Santa.

[Ima Facultiwyfe]

I try to reply that I observe Christmas or Chanuka or Kwanzaa or any of our holidays by rededicating myself to being the change I want to see in the world. If I get discouraged, I put on the recording of Kate Smith singing "I heard the bells on Christmas Day. Al-Qaida better not mess with Big Ol' Kate!!! She means business.
Love, Ima

[Lavabe]

Point 2 - you exchange latkes? Why exchange something everyone else is making? Again, a serious question.

Point 3 - next time I see an inflatable Blue Devil, should I pick it up so you can put it in your front yard?

At this point, I just need to make latkes. Then I give them to LL. She eats them. Then she might say something nice about them.

Point 3: Do we want vandalism while we are away in NC?
;)

[TillyGalore]

Point 2 - you exchange latkes? Why exchange something everyone else is making? Again, a serious question.

Point 3 - next time I see an inflatable Blue Devil, should I pick it up so you can put it in your front yard?

At this point, I just need to make latkes. Then I give them to LL. She eats them. Then she might say something nice about them.

Point 3: Do we want vandalism while we are away in NC?
;)

I made latkes, but with a mix. They were pretty good.

If your BD is vandalized, I say turnabout is fair play.

I think I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

[knights68]

This is not meant to be a thread about being PC, or ruining holiday spirit, or anything like that. It's about etiquette.

As I've mentioned before, there's a lack of bagels in Lexington. I mean, LegacyLady says she knows of no one else in her school who is remotely Jewish.

What is the proper response, when someone:
a) asks how I celebrate Christmas.
b) asks how I celebrate Christmas (even after I say I'm Jewish).
c) asks why we don't have up lights, inflatable santas, elves, and lit-up reindeer on our lawn? I mean, LegacyLady claims that kids have called our house a "Grinch" house.

PAGING CTN'S HEAD ELF!!

::: disclaimer::: This is my own opinion expresed here and feeling a little freer to express such at the moment to a nice infusion of multiple medicatios that makes me feel oohhh ssooo grand!

a/b) asks how I celebrate Christmas. If some stranger off the street, why bother telling them anything other than something to the effect of "with family andf friends". If a co-worker and the sort,not really their business nor do they really care when you get down to it.... so in sucfh a situation I usually turn the question around on them. People love to talk abotu themselves and before long they'll be regaling you with what THEY do and you'll be off the hook. Honestly it's no one's business but your own how you celebrate anything (or not celebrate anything).
c) this one is always fun to be had at peoples expense (for asking such stupid questions).In the same light as an earlier comment by the talented Tilly, Was there christmas lights and trees and the sort at the very first Christmas? I'm thinking not! Oh sure, there was a cool star, kinds and the sort. There were also cows and lambs and such. But I digress.

Often times I just tell those type folks that I am acknowledging or celebrating the holiday in the original spirit it is mean

[knights68]

Dang, hit the send button before I was ready! I just generally try to turn it back on them as folks love to talk about themselves. Sit back, listen and be happy!

[captmojo]

I try to reply that I observe Christmas or Chanuka or Kwanzaa or any of our holidays by rededicating myself to being the change I want to see in the world. If I get discouraged, I put on the recording of Kate Smith singing "I heard the bells on Christmas Day. Al-Qaida better not mess with Big Ol' Kate!!! She means business.
Love, Ima

Wisdom noted in the above.
I celebrate Christmas but I'm not about to force my beliefs on others, nor disrespect other that believe differently. I don't care if you're Wiccan.
The Pagan roots in my blood are known. Others of my ancestors were Philistine.