If you are a non religious household, how do you handle religious holidays or Santa, etc?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Joyless poster marches on, grits teeth, teaches kids to ruin childhood magic for other children, as well. My sister and her husband are atheists but Christmas is a fun holiday for them, and their child. She was extremely upset a child in his class played Santa spoiler a few years ago.

+1. That poster is just no fun. I feel a bit sorry for her kids!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Joyless poster marches on, grits teeth, teaches kids to ruin childhood magic for other children, as well. My sister and her husband are atheists but Christmas is a fun holiday for them, and their child. She was extremely upset a child in his class played Santa spoiler a few years ago.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with celebrating. We need to do it more. It’s just foolish to add falsehoods like santa or talking rabbits or religion to it. It’s the 21st Century not the Middle Ages. She was upset her child learned a fairytale was a fairytale? That makes no sense. You don’t need to make up bs to celebrate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are Hindus and love to celebrate Christmas. For us, in a non-pandemic year, it is a long series of celebrations that start from Navratris, Karva Chauth, Diwali, TG, Christmas, New Years and ends in Valentine Day. Then we begin again with Holi in March.

Then we stuff ourselves to the gills with food and celebrations. We may look nerdy and studious but in reality we are party animal foodies. And no one parties like Santa. Dude hops from one house to another the whole night. And he has an Indian gut! Our kind of guy!!

Party-on! There are many reasons to do so. But why make irrationality (religion) part of it?

Any celebration that celebrates some kind of goodness or joy, and couples it with fun traditions, family/community, good food - be it religious or secular - is worth participating in. There is no downside to celebrating it. Also, it is one way to honor the fact that we live in a diverse country, and have friends who are diverse, and I think that my participation gives me a small understanding of what my Christian friends experience.

Celebrate in a respectful manner and in a secular manner. I am always touched when I am invited to friends with different religious persuasions than me to share in their religious celebration. I don't want to live in a narrow silo.

Yes. Obligatory:

DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, ‘If you see it in THE SUN it’s so.’
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

VIRGINIA O’HANLON.
115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET.

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

https://www.newseum.org/exhibits/online/yes-virginia-there-is-a-santa-claus/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Joyless poster marches on, grits teeth, teaches kids to ruin childhood magic for other children, as well. My sister and her husband are atheists but Christmas is a fun holiday for them, and their child. She was extremely upset a child in his class played Santa spoiler a few years ago.

+1. That poster is just no fun. I feel a bit sorry for her kids!

Agreed. Adulthood will extinguish much of the fun of life soon enough; Santa harms no one, a bunny bringing treats harms no one. And actually adds happiness to small lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are Hindus and love to celebrate Christmas. For us, in a non-pandemic year, it is a long series of celebrations that start from Navratris, Karva Chauth, Diwali, TG, Christmas, New Years and ends in Valentine Day. Then we begin again with Holi in March.

Then we stuff ourselves to the gills with food and celebrations. We may look nerdy and studious but in reality we are party animal foodies. And no one parties like Santa. Dude hops from one house to another the whole night. And he has an Indian gut! Our kind of guy!!

Party-on! There are many reasons to do so. But why make irrationality (religion) part of it?

Any celebration that celebrates some kind of goodness or joy, and couples it with fun traditions, family/community, good food - be it religious or secular - is worth participating in. There is no downside to celebrating it. Also, it is one way to honor the fact that we live in a diverse country, and have friends who are diverse, and I think that my participation gives me a small understanding of what my Christian friends experience.

Celebrate in a respectful manner and in a secular manner. I am always touched when I am invited to friends with different religious persuasions than me to share in their religious celebration. I don't want to live in a narrow silo.

Yes. Obligatory:

DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, ‘If you see it in THE SUN it’s so.’
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

VIRGINIA O’HANLON.
115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET.

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

https://www.newseum.org/exhibits/online/yes-virginia-there-is-a-santa-claus/

Oh. I didn’t realize. Lol. I guess that settles it. What’s next? The Bible’s true?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Santa isn’t religious.

Santa is based on Saint Nicholas so therefor we consider it religious and don’t do it. It’s just contributing to the ridiculous of it all.

Yes. On Christmas Eve, we outfit the kids in gear and do a road march for 5.5 miles and celebrate the accomplishment with a lemon/kale salad and enjoy a delightful dessert of lightly salted rice cakes and orange slices. We shower afterward in cold water and are in bed by 8:30 pm.

Christmas morning, while the rubes are eating cinnamon rolls and bacon and opening their brightly wrapped gifts (hello environmental waste!), we craft miniature solar systems from the roadside litter we scavenged during our brisk march, and enjoy a healthy, hearty meal of oatloaf and mashed turnips. The kids have a great time and are completely grateful to be living in truth and reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Joyless poster marches on, grits teeth, teaches kids to ruin childhood magic for other children, as well. My sister and her husband are atheists but Christmas is a fun holiday for them, and their child. She was extremely upset a child in his class played Santa spoiler a few years ago.

+1. That poster is just no fun. I feel a bit sorry for her kids!

Agreed. Adulthood will extinguish much of the fun of life soon enough; Santa harms no one, a bunny bringing treats harms no one. And actually adds happiness to small lives.

And knowing that Santa’s fake does no harm either. Sorry your adult years are not fun, by the way. Mine are great!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are Hindus and love to celebrate Christmas. For us, in a non-pandemic year, it is a long series of celebrations that start from Navratris, Karva Chauth, Diwali, TG, Christmas, New Years and ends in Valentine Day. Then we begin again with Holi in March.

Then we stuff ourselves to the gills with food and celebrations. We may look nerdy and studious but in reality we are party animal foodies. And no one parties like Santa. Dude hops from one house to another the whole night. And he has an Indian gut! Our kind of guy!!

That is amazing! Merry Christmas, just a little early! 🎄

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re atheists. We do tooth fairy, Santa, Easter Bunny and the whole shebang. Why? Because it’s more cultural than religious. And secondly, childhood only comes once. It’s fun and exciting, and this period is fleeting. The kids will grow out of it soon enough and they get to enjoy the holidays with their peers. They also love the magic and fun of Harry Potter, Rick Riordan series, and other fantasy, and they enjoy it.

If you’re not celebrating holidays and events, what are you celebrating? Just birthdays? Life is so short. If you’re not throwing in some festivities along the way you’re basically just twiddling your thumbs until you die. Have fun. Mark the occasions just because.

That’s exactly how we feel, except as Latinos we have El Ratón Pérez instead
Of the tooth fairy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re atheists. We do tooth fairy, Santa, Easter Bunny and the whole shebang. Why? Because it’s more cultural than religious. And secondly, childhood only comes once. It’s fun and exciting, and this period is fleeting. The kids will grow out of it soon enough and they get to enjoy the holidays with their peers. They also love the magic and fun of Harry Potter, Rick Riordan series, and other fantasy, and they enjoy it.

If you’re not celebrating holidays and events, what are you celebrating? Just birthdays? Life is so short. If you’re not throwing in some festivities along the way you’re basically just twiddling your thumbs until you die. Have fun. Mark the occasions just because.

That’s exactly how we feel, except as Latinos we have El Ratón Pérez instead
Of the tooth fairy.

Do as you wish but don’t expect others to be forced to keep silent or support your pageantry of make-believe.

[Anonymous]

I remember going through a strange period like this early parenthood when my daughter was 2-3ish. It’s like I overnight became hyper critical of all the ridiculous things that my parents did. I got on the “I could never lie to my child about Santa train”. Haha I told myself my parents were wrong for lying to me and my siblings. I also judged the amount of sugar and processed foods they allowed us. I only bought organic and legit believed that everyone else was feeding their kids trash. I questioned the point of family traditions and things such as birthday parties, Easter egg hunts, traveling for thanksgiving, etc.
I’m still not sure what this period of life was?? but I just remember that I wanted to do everything opposite of my parents. It took a few years but I snapped out of it. We are not religious at all, but I realized that things such as Santa, getting birthday presents, snack foods, etc were literally what made my childhood. I get where people are coming from about not wanting to celebrate Santa, but if Christmas was a significant part of your own childhood, I suggest holding off on making any major decision about canceling it all together. My daughter finally found out the truth about Santa this year and I asked her how she felt about it. She felt happy that she had so many years of that magic Christmas morning and is totally excited to help wrap Christmas presents next year to help continue the magic for her baby brother. As I have aged, I have come to appreciate passed down family traditions and celebrations no matter how ridiculous they seem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re atheists. We do tooth fairy, Santa, Easter Bunny and the whole shebang. Why? Because it’s more cultural than religious. And secondly, childhood only comes once. It’s fun and exciting, and this period is fleeting. The kids will grow out of it soon enough and they get to enjoy the holidays with their peers. They also love the magic and fun of Harry Potter, Rick Riordan series, and other fantasy, and they enjoy it.

If you’re not celebrating holidays and events, what are you celebrating? Just birthdays? Life is so short. If you’re not throwing in some festivities along the way you’re basically just twiddling your thumbs until you die. Have fun. Mark the occasions just because.

That’s exactly how we feel, except as Latinos we have El Ratón Pérez instead
Of the tooth fairy.

Do as you wish but don’t expect others to be forced to keep silent or support your pageantry of make-believe.

Keep silent??? I’ve never heard anyone so scorned by Santa Claus 😂

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re atheists. We do tooth fairy, Santa, Easter Bunny and the whole shebang. Why? Because it’s more cultural than religious. And secondly, childhood only comes once. It’s fun and exciting, and this period is fleeting. The kids will grow out of it soon enough and they get to enjoy the holidays with their peers. They also love the magic and fun of Harry Potter, Rick Riordan series, and other fantasy, and they enjoy it.

If you’re not celebrating holidays and events, what are you celebrating? Just birthdays? Life is so short. If you’re not throwing in some festivities along the way you’re basically just twiddling your thumbs until you die. Have fun. Mark the occasions just because.

That’s exactly how we feel, except as Latinos we have El Ratón Pérez instead
Of the tooth fairy.

Do as you wish but don’t expect others to be forced to keep silent or support your pageantry of make-believe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re atheists. We do tooth fairy, Santa, Easter Bunny and the whole shebang. Why? Because it’s more cultural than religious. And secondly, childhood only comes once. It’s fun and exciting, and this period is fleeting. The kids will grow out of it soon enough and they get to enjoy the holidays with their peers. They also love the magic and fun of Harry Potter, Rick Riordan series, and other fantasy, and they enjoy it.

If you’re not celebrating holidays and events, what are you celebrating? Just birthdays? Life is so short. If you’re not throwing in some festivities along the way you’re basically just twiddling your thumbs until you die. Have fun. Mark the occasions just because.

That’s exactly how we feel, except as Latinos we have El Ratón Pérez instead
Of the tooth fairy.

Do as you wish but don’t expect others to be forced to keep silent or support your pageantry of make-believe.

Tell me your an excommunicated elf without telling me your an excommunicated elf.

[Anonymous]

So ignore Christmas. I'm Jewish and I do. It's a non issue. The kids ask about it and I saw it's what some people believe and celebrate. Since you're not celebrating a holiday at that time, make it a time of year where you do good deeds or some other way of making your own seasonal spirit and tradition. Volunteer, raise money etc - it doesn't have to be Christmas related. If the kids keep asking, keep repeating "we don't celebrate that" - eventually they'll understand and accept that.