Off putting fed holiday celebration or am I being too sensitive?

[Anonymous]

If I were Jewish I’d be irritated that they didn’t make any effort to throw a few menorahs in there for good measure. I mean, they are probably throwing the party DURING Hanukkah for Pete’s sake.

[Anonymous]

I'm an atheist and I have a wreath on my front door all year round. I have a beautiful daisy one for the spring and summer, a berry and orange leaf wreath for the Autumn, and a pine wreath for the winter. I honestly never thought of wreaths as remotely religious

[Anonymous]

Wreaths in December are most certainly associated with Christmas. And I don't know any Jews that hang wreaths as decoration over the holidays.

[Anonymous]

I worked in a college of public health and created a k*ckass wreath for the door that was made out of red and green condoms. They took it down because someone was offended. We give out condoms regularly, and we have a wreath on the door, but apparently a wreath out of condoms was too much.

It's just a wreath.

[Anonymous]

I'm willing to be that you are not required to participate.

A wreath, per se, is not a religious item. People hang seasonally themed or decorative wreaths on their door all year round. I can understand thinking maybe it's not the greatest idea, but " incredibly alienating and insensitive"? You're overreacting.

[Anonymous]

Did they have wreath decorating last year? What about the year before?

If it is a long term tradition, roll with it.

[Anonymous]

So pick some kind of multi cultural theme. Make decorations that celebrate all the holidays of the season. Or none of the holidays. Make one that celebrates major case wins for the year. Make one that celebrates the constitution. You'd think a group of supposedly smart lawyers could be a tad more creative or broad thinking but maybe these are all appointees.

[Anonymous]

I would probably pointedly offer to organize the Menorah or dreidel decorating contest to take place at the same time. But that's how I roll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm willing to be that you are not required to participate.

A wreath, per se, is not a religious item. People hang seasonally themed or decorative wreaths on their door all year round. I can understand thinking maybe it's not the greatest idea, but " incredibly alienating and insensitive"? You're overreacting.

Wreaths in December are not religious. Decorating with holly, ivy, and fir branches is a solstice thing, not Christian. Obviously its associated with Christmas now, but as a practicing Christian I'm perfectly aware of which traditions are religious (very few) and which are co-opted.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps decorate it with accessories of your faith.

[Anonymous]

Generally I'm with team overreaction in this instance, but then again, I don't know of any other cultures/religions that decorate their doors with wreaths. Correct me if I'm wrong, which I'm sure will happen without me having to say it.

[Anonymous]

Wreaths, in December, are all about Christmas. All those saying it's fine are either Christians or live in a rural areas where no one other than Christians live (how's that for stereotyping - PC Police be damned). Theres no place for it in a public office.

[Anonymous]

So decorate it with office supplies. Yes, you are overreacting.

[Anonymous]

I would totally bring a bag of gelt and blue ribbon, and make it a Hanukkah wreath.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd go buy blue and silver stuff and decorate it as my Hanukkah wreath. I worked for DC government years ago and the supervisor insisted I put up a Christmas tree. Funny thing I had no idea what to do so she got angry it took me a long time to figure out how to put it together and she never gave me the decorations so I found my own. She did not like them. That's what you get for asking me. Worked for another county and they did a lot of prayers too. It made me uncomfortable.

Wreaths are Christmas associated.

Wreaths are Christmas-associated but I'd far rather do that than decorate a tree or some of the other examples on here. Especially the prayer. Wow. That office's EEO program needs a serious overhaul.

I agree, OP, that it's a little insensitive and annoying, but honestly so is CFC and practically all other "fun" office gatherings, so I wouldn't make a fuss about it. Personally I would not participate if I had the option. If it was required, I'd participate but steer clear of overtly religious decorations of any type (including Jewish).