what do you tell your kid when it comes the time of christmas and that you dont believe in giving presents on that time of year? what do the children think of when all the other children at school are excited about recieving gifts? i dont believe in it and dont give gifts i just give a gift if i really feel like giving one like on birthdays or for no reason. what is your opinion?
2006-09-09 16:42:05 · 14 answers · asked by Jen L-Baby #1 due Nov 15, 2010 ! 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
i hate to add this late but id rather add it now before more answer. you have a genuine answer of what you think would be a good idea, or if you are of a religion that doesnt celebrate christmas then please answer. if you do celebrate christmas however feel free to leave any answer that may help but please refrain from any religious heckling.
2006-09-09 16:49:36 · update #1
im not christian, i dont celebrate it or any christian holidays. at a younger age i didnt have a problem with peer pressure around my age back then it wasnt nearly as bad as it is today but im worried that my child will be teased that he wont celebrate it like the rest of them.
2006-09-09 16:53:39 · update #2
Well, we are pagan so we don't celebrate Christmas but we celebrate the solstice and we still set up a tree and exchange gifts. The belief behind it all is just different than that of Christians. You don't have to believe in Jesus to celebrate the meaning of the season. It is still a great time to reflect and to be close the ones you love. Why not go ahead and start your own traditions and perhaps just exchange small gifts--maybe one gift for each child.
2006-09-09 16:52:20 · answer #1 · answered by Amelia 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We don't celebrate christmas because we are Jewish. I accept that my children get excited about all the lights and the decorations they see when we are out and even about Santa Claus. But they also accept my matter-of-fact explanation that it's not what we do in our house. A lot of their friends are Jewish as well and they still get gifts and have a celebration for Chanukah so I don't think they feel left out at all.
If you don't believe in celebrating Christmas but are worried about children feeling left out why not come up with some kind of family celebration that will make that time of year feel special but doesn't involve gifts or christmas trees? If your children are old enough they could even be involved in deciding what such a celebration would involve.
2006-09-10 03:11:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't shelter your kids from the world, but you can educate them. I explain to my kids why people celebrate christmas and why it is important to them. I explain that we celebrate our holidays and that's our time to give gifts and enjoy vacation. It is unfortunate that not as many Christians educate their children properly about other holidays, but I believe that most of it is ignorance really. There are parts of the country where a lot of people go to school with kids who don't celebrate Christmas. Be happy for everyone when it is their holiday. Tell them Merry Christmas, Happy Hannakah, Happy Eid, Happy Easter, Happy New Year - I think it is wonderful to build bridges of understanding , so greet others during their holiday whatever it may be and it will help spread some peace in the world and warm fuzzy feelings in the hearts of mankind.
I do want to propose a question - you don't have to answer. This is just a retorical question - or if you like go ahead and answer - I just don't want to ruin this person's thread.
My question is why do Christians celebrate Christmas when Christ never did? Why hundreds and hundreds of years later do they do this? I don't believe this is mandated in the Bible. So why is it so strange to NOT celebrate it?
OK
PEACE & LOVE to y'all.
2006-09-10 00:53:45 · answer #3 · answered by peace2006 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Life in general is hard for a child. Christmas is a once-a-year special time that they look forward to even more than their birthdays! If you choose not to give gifts, at least decorate a tree and give out a card with a special priviledge on it. Lasting memories (good and bad) are made during the holidays - make them good ones! God bless!
2006-09-09 23:49:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have educated my child that Christmas was orignaly a pagan holiday and most of the traditions from the tree to the presents are infact from Pagan times.. the Christians tried to bury the holiday but really all they did was rename it and convince some people that it is Jesus birthday- which has been proven to be April 17...
anyhow we still celebrate it.. but just we know that its not Christs birthday
2006-09-10 01:32:26 · answer #5 · answered by CF_ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, it depends on why you don't believe in giving gifts. Do you not believe in God? Maybe you should just share your views on that--I do believe in God and I'm not sure how you'd explain that--I'm sure you know how to, so I won't/can't explain that. To make them feel better around that time maybe share the gift of giving. Maybe get them to clean out their closets and sort through their toys and let them donate these items to a children's charity for less fortunate kids. Let them do community service, just because you don't believe in Christ, Santa, or whatever, doesn't mean that can't be a special time of the year.
2006-09-09 23:53:28 · answer #6 · answered by .vato. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i personally was raised as christmas being a gift giving holiday.. along with the whole christ thing.. but i do know. in others opinions. christmas is a time to celebrate christ. and be with family. and its not necessary to give gifts. i do nt practice any type of religion, so i apologise if i say any thing wrong...
2006-09-09 23:52:10 · answer #7 · answered by lindsy m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't explain why you don't believe in giving the gifts, but it doesn't sound like you've sat them down to explain why you as a family have this approach. I'm sure Jewish families, or Islamic families have these discussions with their kids. I'm sure it's tough, but if you have sound reasons, your children should be able to accept that.
2006-09-09 23:54:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
kids being kids are naturally inclined to question anything that appears to be different or apart from what other kids may do.This being said,the best method to minimize the feelings and pressure that they may or may not experience,homeschooling,if possible,may provide the sanctuary that they may need until they reach the age of reason,where a clear explanation may be offered and accepted,and of course God knows best!
2006-09-09 23:51:19 · answer #9 · answered by Daddy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think if you make whatever you celebrate just as memorable as Christmas, your kids will be fine. They may even have something other kids jealous about.
2006-09-10 03:22:02 · answer #10 · answered by Astrid Nannerl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋