... they are not going to Church or visiting or should they be allowed to slum around in pyjamas half of the morning and then throw on any old thing.
I always dressed my boys up smartly for Church and then they could change into something more casual but still smart (often a new item) for visiting my parents and so on.
I think that it shows respect to visitors if the children are dressed nicely for Christmas - and it gives them a sense of occaision too - after all it is a birthday.
I may not bother going visiting this year as I don't like to see Christmas downgraded by it being all about food and presents without respect for *guests*.
2007-12-24 05:32:19 · 34 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
"whatkind..." - I am not talking about Santa outfits or such - I am talking about wearing smart clothing like they would wear to a birthday party - to show *respect*.
2007-12-24 05:49:20 · update #1
Yes Joan I do think children and parents alike should dress tidy for Christmas day, even if they change into something more comfortable late afternoon. I agree with what you say in that it gives them a sense of occasion and how inportant the day is -
BEST WISHES xx
2007-12-24 10:07:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well yes and no . In my family we went to church on Sunday adn i am sick so we are not going on Christmas. We are not having visitors or going out. We all have knew Christmas pajamags and will wear them to open gifts then change. Not into anything smart because we are home. Times are different people don't dress up for birth day parties anymore or even school dances.
I remeber that my mother wanted me to wear asuit as a kid to a school dance. It took a stranger in the mall to tell her no one does that anymore. Kids wear jeans polos what ever to birth day parties and dances. What is considered nice now is not what was considered nice in my parents and your time.
If we do decided to go to a friends house in the evening we will not go with un ironed clothes or anything but we are not dressing up either. The expectations are just different nowadays
2007-12-24 09:45:01 · answer #2 · answered by Big Daddy R 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you, Joan. We lounge around in our pajamas and robes for breakfast and opening presents, but for dinner and especially, if we are having guests, we "spiff up" a bit. We go to Christmas Eve service and I like seeing the kids with some attempt at making the event special by dressing a little nicer. No one puts on a big show of dressing up, but the bigger boys and teenaged boys make an effort to put on a shirt and tie, even if it's a little over-sized or borrowed from Dad. For Christmas dinner, everyone tries to be tidy and look presentable at the table. It does show respect for the day and for everyone present. It seems to be a lost concept with many people.
2007-12-25 16:30:01 · answer #3 · answered by Snow Globe 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I guess it all depends on how you grew up and if you carry on the family traditions. In my family we do. We get up early Christmas morning and open gifts. Then we get dressed nicely and go to my Uncle Jack's for Christmas Breakfast and exchange gifts there. Then we visit other relatives delivering gifts. And then back home for our Christmas dinner. After that, it's off with the good clothes and into the comfortable ones because it is now lounge around the fireplace time.
Edit: Merry Christmas Joan!
2007-12-24 10:58:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's nothing wrong with that. Regarding my little brother, my mother always dresses him smartly because we go up and visit my uncle and aunt to drop off presents. Likewise, if relatives come to our house, he is dressed smartly in a new shirt and pressed trousers.
Its not out of respect. I think its more a case of "i want my child to look nice, not scruffy" and show him off a bit. he he
Im 21 so i just wear whatever i want to wear really. I dont wear brand new clothes that have been unwrapped, but i dont go looking shoddy either. I like to be comfortable.
When i was a little girl, my mom put me in smart, pretty frilly dresses, and new shoes when we were visiting relatives, but as you grow older you mom cant tell you what to wear anymore.
2007-12-24 06:00:11 · answer #5 · answered by sarah 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't. It's a day off for the kids, and if they're not planning on going anywhere, then why not let them be comfortable? I guess to me and my family, we have to dress nicely for school and work every day, so on a holiday like Christmas when we don't plan on going anywhere and just spending time together as family (all church services here are on Christmas eve, and not Christmas day), then it would make it special to wear something comfortable and not dress up for once, and to take it easy for the day, watch Christmas movies, play games and just have a fun time together.
2007-12-24 07:09:02 · answer #6 · answered by ~*Mrs. GM2*~ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We just wear pajama's all day if we aren't going out. Christmas is what you make it. Christmas is about the birth of Jesus, but its also about lots of other things. Time with your family, love, joy, thanks and a reflection of the year. If you like to dress up, good for you. I don't feel like I'm "downgrading" the reason for the season by sitting around in my pajama's all day, playing board games with the family, watching old movies, reading the Christmas story...... That's how we celebrate. Everyone celebrates differently.
And as for "dressing smartly" showing respect for guests..... I'm not sure what you mean. When my family comes to visit or we visit them, I'm so happy to see them and to spend time with them that I couldn't care less what they are wearing. Clothes are materialistic things that just aren't important to me when it comes to visiting with loved ones.
2007-12-24 07:07:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When we were children, we always dressed up nicely on Christmas Day, as we visited relatives Christmas morning, and now I have children of my own, we still do the rounds Christmas morning, so I expect them to dress smart/casual.x
2007-12-24 13:56:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I understand what you are saying about the respect bit Joan although I don't think God or Christ would mind what we wore as long as we believe in them and know the true meaning of Christmas. It is probably a personal choice, but saying that when my two girls were small they always had a new dress for Christmas, often one I had made myself as I liked them to look 'nice'.
2007-12-24 09:05:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
i think it depends on your preference....i might note that not everyone views christmas day as you will. that being said, you may want to take it easy on the people you were planning on visiting. i used to think that getting all dressed up was down grading because it was making Christmas about how you look.
personally, i like dressing my daughter up nice when visiting realatives or friends, or when they visit. i never really thought of it as a "respect" issue, but more as a trying to show her off with cute outfits.
:D
tara
2007-12-24 05:45:46 · answer #10 · answered by t3family 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋