To give or not to give card/gift at this time to teacher who does not celebrate Christmas?

[Anonymous]

Child's teacher seems to be a wonderful person. She is Muslim. Is it inappropriate/wierd to give a "Christmas" present to her? Would it be better to wait for a random time or for teacher appreciation week to send in something?

[Anonymous]

My family is Muslim and we have had several teachers who are Muslim. I've always included them along with everyone else. I never use religious cards, and stay away from Santa themed gift cards (like Target). Think of it as an end-of-year gift instead of holiday specific.

[Anonymous]

I would give a winter solstice card, or a simple happy new year card. I never give Christmas cards to anyone unless I am sure they actually believe in/celebrate Christmas.

[Anonymous]

Yes, give a present- just don't give a card or anything that explicitly mentions Christmas.

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure that my child's teacher is Jewish; I'll give her a holiday card and gift, just as I would anyone else. Don't overthink it OP!

[Anonymous]

I am Muslim and I think it would be appropriate to give her a gift that does not specify Christmas. Maybe, you could get a nice New Year's card to accompany the gift. Don't over think it, your intent is good and I am sure she will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

[Anonymous]

Yes, still do the gift. Unless you are giving her gifts during Ramadan instead, I would still give a holiday gift.

[Anonymous]

OP here -- Thanks.

I'll make it an end of the year thank-you. It just got me thinking that it must be a little weird for her to plan a "holiday" party every year with essentially a Christmas theme -- b/c even though we all say "holiday" in public school, all the party festivities seem to be santa and reindeer-ish.

I know it would be kind of weird for me (a cultural Christian) to plan Ramadan parties if I were teaching in a school where most of the kids were Muslim. Kind of makes you think of how other people experience the Christmas culture when they aren't Christmassing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- Thanks.

I'll make it an end of the year thank-you. It just got me thinking that it must be a little weird for her to plan a "holiday" party every year with essentially a Christmas theme -- b/c even though we all say "holiday" in public school, all the party festivities seem to be santa and reindeer-ish.

I know it would be kind of weird for me (a cultural Christian) to plan Ramadan parties if I were teaching in a school where most of the kids were Muslim. Kind of makes you think of how other people experience the Christmas culture when they aren't Christmassing.

12:53 again. It's cool that you are thinking about this. I do struggle wondering how my son must feel slightly weird during Christmas celebrations. However, Muslims revere Jesus as a great prophet. So it's not a huge, weird stretch.

My son did have a Jehovah's Witness teacher once, and I gave her a gift card just like everyone else. She is the only person who returned it. She still planned the class' holiday party, so I am not sure what was up. I felt really bad, though.

[Anonymous]

OP here

Here's irony for you -- today child's teacher (who is without a doubt Muslim) sends home a card with my child (and probably every kid in the class) that says something about "have a wonderful Christmas" and a note about how she likes having my child in her class. I guess I can go ahead and send in a card/gift!

I told you she was nice.

[Anonymous]

OP again,

I mean that it was an actual "Christmas" type of Christmas card that she sent home! (maybe it was a freebie that came in the mail, but it's just funny that she's Muslim and sending actual Christmas cards!)

[Anonymous]

Many Muslims celebrate Christmas. Jesus is a prophet in Islam, just not the son of God. Not strange at all for her to wish you a happy Christmas.

[Anonymous]

Happy new year