I want to give my coworkers Christmas Cards but I don't want to have it be an HR issue.
The cards have a Christmas tree on them and I don't want to offend anyone if they don't celebrate Christmas.
What is the etiquette?
2006-12-21 17:36:47 · 15 answers · asked by m_harvery 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
just to be on the safe side i would use cards that say season greetings or happy holidays. i have been sending cards out to clients for about 5 years now and about 500 each holiday season. one year when i did send merry christmas cards one of my clients did call me later to thank me but did mention that she didn't celebrate christmas. she wasn't offended and did appreciate the gesture( and she is still a client for 3 yrs now) but i have changed to season greetings cards and have had no one ever complain. i still send her one ever year (season greetings)and she calls to thank me. i dont think your co workers will be offended, because your gesture in warm hearted and they should recognize that.
2006-12-21 18:12:05 · answer #1 · answered by bh 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I give out only Holiday /New Year cards because you never know what people celebrate. I don't really think most people would be offended by a Christmas card but christmas is not the only holiday in December.
It's not a question of being PC here at all. Nor is anything being "ruined" as someone stated above (that obviously only cares for herself) by giving a Happy Holidays card. It is all inclusive and you have to think about others when giving a card and not your own personal feelings. For example, when you buy a gift for a friend, you buy something you think THEY might like..not something YOU might like.
2006-12-22 00:53:57 · answer #2 · answered by KathyS 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There is no proper etiquette that I am aware of but, a tree is not a religious symbol and should be fine. The wording will be a different story. Avoid words like Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanuka. I would say Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings and so on.
2006-12-21 17:48:40 · answer #3 · answered by laidbck111 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I hate when people do this in the office. Not because I'm offended at the holiday sentiment, but because you're then supposed to reciprocate, which usually means you also wind up giving cards to other people, who then have to give cards to everyone, and the whole thing spirals out of control. No one likes to find themselves suddenly obligated to churn out dozens of cards at the last minute.
Christmas cards are holiday greetings you mail to people you won't get to see to wish them a greeting in person. You don't hand them to people you see every single day. If you're actually close enough to someone you work with that you want to give them a Christmas card, drop it in the mail.
2006-12-21 19:08:43 · answer #4 · answered by EQ 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
People have been giving out Christmas cards since before I was born, and I'm fifty years old. I would give out Christmas cards, and I would NOT get cards that say "happy holidays" just because I think someone may be offended. Let them be offended. Happy holidays can't save you. Only Christ can.
Christians are an over 80% majority in this country. Now I would fight to defend anyones right to practice their religion, regardless of what it is, but don't interfere with a Christians worship and celebration of God. You must not allow it, if you are a true Christian. God can't stand Christians that are luke-warm. Wishy-washy, oh my, i don't want to offend anybody -type-christians who actually would stop using Christs name because some "man" said so, is what God calls an absolute worthless child. They are hot house lillies that wilt the minute alittle heat comes down on them. MERRY CHRISTMAS.
2006-12-21 17:50:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
I think it would be a nice gesture to hand out Christmas cards to your co-workers, especially if you work with them everyday and work well together.
In my opinion, the best way to avoid a cultural/religious conflict is to pick cards that says something neutral like "Happy Holidays", or "Season's Greetings". Or, you can always get blank cards and write in a personal message.
To keep it more simple, I would also just keep it to the co-workers in your department or those that you normally interact with.
2006-12-21 17:47:55 · answer #6 · answered by April Aries 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't think anyone would be offended by a Happy Holidays card. Handing out cards is a common practice where I work.
2006-12-21 18:09:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it would be okay. I've been given cards with manoras(sp) on them and I'm not Jewish. I'm not offended. As long as it only says Happy Holidays or something then you should be okay. I think a lot of this bunk that people are complaining about is stupid. It's not like we're forcing it upon them.
2006-12-21 17:47:09 · answer #8 · answered by Cass 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You probably should just get ones that say seasons greeting, or happy holidays. NO x-mas tree,or anything! Maybe one with a snow man or poinsettias.
This way nobody will be offended.
2006-12-21 23:17:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would be offended if I gave you a card and you went around telling people my handwriting wasn't good enough.
2016-05-23 13:45:25 · answer #10 · answered by Heather 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋