Holiday Decor in Office

[Anonymous]

Im jewish but 30 of 32 ppl at my office are not. Our office decorates with some trees (the one near my office has blue and white decor) tinsel, poinsettias, snowflakes on glass doors and dishes with gelt. I love it as its all nice and festive.

[Anonymous]

Most religions in the northern hemisphere have a celebration of light in the winter because of the shortened days (Xmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, solstice, etc).

I think festive lights in the office can be universally appealing on dark winter days. Keep them neutral or icicle-like, and there shouldn’t be a big deal!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is a Christmas tree religious? Isn't it a federal holiday that your work gives off to you (or pays you holiday pay)? To me, nativities are the religious display, as are menorahs. My extended family that's very religious doesn't use Christmas trees as they see them as secular.

Whether you see them as secular or not, they celebrate a holiday that is predominantly known as a religious holiday. The office is well within its rights to restrict expression of religion, even if it is a secular expression of a religious holiday.

OP--my suggestion is that you celebrate with winter based decoration. Snow and winter decorations, snowflakes, snow people, candy canes, Nutcracker soldiers, penguins, candles, ornaments (make sure to have some in blue & white to be inclusive of Hannukkah). There are lots of non-religious seasonal decorations that can be used to make things festive without highlighting one religion's observation of the Winter Solstice other others.

You realize candy canes, candles, nutcracker, and all that are Christmas.

Candles are not Christian.

[Anonymous]

We're a small private company. We have pointsettas in the lobby, garland and bows around the cubes and some Hannukah stuff.

[Anonymous]

Fir trees, garland, and holly are used to decorate in December because they are evergreen. I love seeing it. I also just love having a reason to do something cheerful in the worst part of the year. There is nothing religious about decorating for the season. It’s fine and pretty.

[Anonymous]

I work in a F50 office and we have a bunch of Christmas trees in our lobby and on many floors, and have started having in-office holiday parties. Tons of cubes are decorated as well.

[Anonymous]

We have a massive wreath up

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not Christian and am part of another minority religion but I LOVE Christmas decor that is festive, fun, and full of lights. Brings so joy and light to a time of year that is gray and cold and dark so early.

Do I want a nativity scene in my office? Obviously not. But a big tree and a bunch of tinsel and fake holly and lights and all that? Sure! Menorah is welcome too.

I feel like this about Halloween and everything else too. Hate cancelling to fun stuff for others due to a few sticks in the mud.

I grew up in Eastern Europe and we call Christmas tree “a New Year” tree. Basically, we decorate for the New Year and all festive decor is associated with New Year in my country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why can’t we have a tree and a menorah? Why can’t we have Christmas and Hanukkah decorations? That covers the two major December holidays celebrated in America…where we live and work.

Being inclusive means celebrating diversity. It doesn’t mean opting out and glossing over major holidays.

yes- this isn't France which is the alternative. Im muslim and winter decor is fine.. its funny that the Ikea Eid decorations go up every winter even though we haven't had Eid in winter for about 15 years, by the time my grandkids are adults, it will be a secular holiday and ppl won't even know that it is associated with christianity just like halloween. It's all made up to get through the northern winter, thank goodness for all the holidays, how boring life would be without them. plenty of people who arent christian have Santa bring toys and hang candy canes up- its just a cosy way to get through teh darkest months. Some christians will get bent out of shape but a religion that borrowed so much from other religions cannot then hoard everything for itself.

[Anonymous]

Lynch v. Donnelly

[Anonymous]

At least it’s not tinsel