Sometimes I like being a non-Christian in a majority Christian society; it means I get to do pretty much whatever I want on Christmas. My usual Christmastime activities include some of the regular ones, but because I happen to like them: caroling, cookie-baking, making gifts for friends and co-workers, and I always sling hash at a church soup kitchen on Christmas Eve (actually it’s usually lechon asado; it’s a Puerto Rican church), but I don’t have to miss any family observances to do so. It’s kind of the best of both worlds; I get to participate in all the fun and warm fuzzy stuff, but because I want to, not because I’m obligated.
Other Jewish friends have traditions of movie-and-Chinese-food, or lazing around in pajamas all day, or of not doing anything in particular that would distinguish Christmas from any other day. What’s your religious/ethnic background, how do spend Christmas, and why? Do you feel left out, if your traditions don’t include mainstream Christian things, or are you glad to avoid all the mayhem? Discuss.
Well, in my family (almost all heathen, until my sister converted to generic protestantism), the trend on Christmas Day proper was to go over to either my aunt or my grandmother’s house for the party/giftgiving/feast with my Mom’s side of the family. (My Dad’s side is too spread out across the country, while my Mom’s immediate family is mostly within the county.)
Christmas Eve has always been the gift-giving date in my family. (Don’t know why) The tradition was that we’d first go out in the car, driving around to look at Christmas lights (A tradition from when Dad was a kid), then get home and open gifts.
Not a lot of other special traditions, except for an old advent calandar that my sister and I take turns on, and watching A Christmas Story or whatever other classic holiday specials are on. (I missed The Nutcracker again, this year. Damnit.)
Oh, we (almost) always get our Christmas tree at the same little lot. The place has hardly changed over the years.
it sounds like you hit all the secular highlights.
on dec 25th we have thanksgiving 2 the legend continues… 6 family types as thanksgiving 1 with about 6 ish of ones who went elsewhere. smaller gatherings of family will laze about the house and watch a christmas story.
on jan. 6th we head to church and then have a 12 course no meat, no dairy dinner. jan 7th we go to church and have a dinner with all sorts of products after, we get to use and wear all the presents we’ve gotten since december.
Tamales on Xmas eve, with lots of eggnog or beer, then latkes Xmas morning (with eggs and bacon, extra sour cream). One year we had a Festivus pole, which prompted my father to tell us how when he was an engineering student he’d made a Xmas tree our of beer cans, soldered together, pained green and lit from within. Usually a lot of movies are watched, and the menfolk go out after opening the presents and try out whatever thing-that-goes-bang or t-t-g-b accessory we’ve gotten.
My in-laws are horrified and are praying for us (as they make sure to tell us in their call each Xmas day.)
Usually my family takes Christmas as an opportunity to get away, so my Christmas day is usually spent sunbathing somewhere. This year we didn’t take a trip, so I’m doing all the Christmas festivities with my boyfriend’s Christian family. It’s a very new experience.