If you celebrate Xmas but aren't religious

[Anonymous]

Serious question: how do you explain Xmas to your kids? Have 3 year old twins. DH and I grew up celebrating Xmas. My husband's family identifies as Christian but never went to church. I was raised Lutheran and went to church nearly every week. Now, religion is not a part of our lives and I don't think either one of us believes in any god. We like a lot of the Xmas rituals in terms of giving/receiving, getting together with family, etc. but don't know how or when to explain the biblical 'Xmas story'. We'll likely go to church with my parents this year and every-other-year going forward. How did other families in similar situations deal with this? 3 is probably on the young side, but was just thinking about when would be a good time to start explaining/introducing other traditions and why grandparents (and others) believe this one part of Xmas but we don't.

[Anonymous]

We found a very basic "story of Jesus/nativity" board book and threw it in with our Xmas books. Always prefaced with "and some people believe this story...see, everyone is happy when a baby is born..."

[Anonymous]

Please don't go to church.

[Anonymous]

We are religious and Christmas is a time to celebrate those we love. We don't teach it as the birth of Jesus. Not sure if we're just matter of fact, but we just said some people believe that, but we do not. Haven't been asked why, but will explain when it does arise.

[Anonymous]

I was raised Jewish and my husband a mix of Christians. His parents never go to church anymore, he rarely did past 9 or 10. (I was bummed when I realized they wouldn't be the ones to introduce me to the elusive midnight mass when we started spending xmas with his family.)

We also have 3 year old twins and our families come together in DC for xmas. It's just a time everyone can make it and while my father has some typical Woody Allen style angst over it, it's pretty typical American style xmas (tree, presents, lots of food and for the adults booze).

So far, my kids accept that we do it and they also have a menorah and dreidel. I think we might tackle the religious meaning someday but don't feel any pressure to now (or even in the next couple years).