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We're celebrating Christmas for the first time because

80 replies

jingleballing · 25/12/2020 02:59

We are Muslim.

We're not celebrating on the basis of religion. More as a general festive feeling of togetherness, family and fun.

Growing up, we never celebrated Christmas. Our religious festivals are eid , we have two eids but since my parents both passed away,this is a time when me and my siblings feel the loss of our parents the most. All the childhood memories, all of the associations attached to it relate to our beloved parents , and they become the two most difficult and bittersweet days of the year.

My lovely mum finally breathed her last on my wedding anniversary day. My tenth, in fact. A week after my birthday, and a couple of weeks before the birth of my dc. The whole month passes by for me with memories of her , the pain she suffered through at the end, her last moments, her final words to me, the way she asked me about my unborn child before she left us forever. I can't celebrate my wedding anniversary anymore, my birthday and my dcs birthday are shadowed by that day in 2017 when the world lost the best mother that ever existed.

So I can't begin to describe the .... sense of relief , yes that's what it is, I feel, because this year I've 'done' Christmas and all I feel is happy and excited ! There are no prior associations for me ! There are - thankfully - no memories ! Just a delicious , clean slate that I can fill up with happiness and fun with me, my dh and my dc! Finally, it's something I can wholeheartedly embrace and enjoy without a single feeling of sadness and let me tell you, it's the best feeling ever ! Grin

I don't know why but I wanted to put my story out there and share it with you lot! You all probably think I'm bonkers but never mind Xmas Grin have a lovely Christmas everyone and an amazing time with your loved ones Xmas Grin

OP posts:
OppsUpsSide · 25/12/2020 07:28

Merry Christmas!

Littlefluffyclouds13 · 25/12/2020 07:31

What a heartwarming post.
I'm very much an atheist but as a family our Christmas celebrations are such a big part of our family traditions.
I view it as a winter festival, full of love and light and in non pandemic times, just love all the get togethers and the opportunity to spend time with family and friends.
Happy Christmas op! Xmas Smile

Plussizejumpsuit · 25/12/2020 07:37

So sorry for your loss. I'm British from a vaguely Christian background but I strongly don't have any belief. Yet I love Christmas. I think it's such an important and fun festival in the middle of winter. So I'm pleased you can enjoy it. I always think I'd celebrate different festivals if I was in another country. My sisters husband is Indian so I do get a bit I'd this and I really like it! Love the colour throwing at holi for example. So I'm pleased you can enjoy the fun of Christmas. Which for me is about family and relaxing.

I'm having 5 min to wake up on mumsnet before getting up so this is a lovely thread to see. . Merry Christmas x

MistleTOEboughski · 25/12/2020 07:37

Merry Christmas! I see you are already getting into.the spirit of it by waking up early and worrying about the dinner 😂. Hope you have a lovely day Xmas Smile

BarbaraofSeville · 25/12/2020 07:56

Merry Christmas, that's lovely.

Have you got a tree and other decorations in your house?

isupposeitsverynice · 25/12/2020 07:56

Aw brilliant. I hope you all have a fantastic first Christmas Xmas Smile

trevthecat · 25/12/2020 07:57

Merry first Christmas. Enjoy every moment.

Sittinbythetrees · 25/12/2020 08:02

Happy Christmas!

CisMyArse · 25/12/2020 08:02

Your post filled me with so much warmth OP. I wish you and your family a joyful Christmas 🎄.

Beautiful words OP. Thanks

Cowgran · 25/12/2020 08:04

What a sad and yet beautiful story. Happy Christmas - I wish you and your family all the best for many happy memories in the future.

lurker101 · 25/12/2020 08:15

Have a fantastic First Christmas!

Milkshake7489 · 25/12/2020 08:19

Merry Christmas OP!

eaglejulesk · 25/12/2020 08:31

Merry First Christmas to you and your family! You certainly are not bonkers and I hope you all have a wonderfully happy day. 🎄

JontyDoggle37 · 25/12/2020 08:32

Merry Christmas, OP, enjoy your first and all that follow!

daisypond · 25/12/2020 08:34

What a lovely post. It brought tears to my eyes.

FippertyGibbett · 25/12/2020 08:34

Have a lovely celebration. It’s not about religion for me, it’s about having a lovely time during the cold grey months, and spoiling the kids.
Have a lovely, happy Christmas 🎄

PutOnAHappyFace · 25/12/2020 08:34

Your post made me smile. The anxiety over forgetting to take something out of the freezer and the constant layer of glitter..... Welcome to Christmas.

I hope you and your family has a lovely day and make lots of new happy memories.

Glitterbubbles · 25/12/2020 08:39

Merry Christmas to you all! Hope you have a brilliant day ❤️

PoinsiettaStillHasLeaves · 25/12/2020 08:54

Merry Christmas! (Has he been..?)

We don't celebrate fro religious reasons either - we celebrate for the exact reasons you are doing - family, togetherness and food!

Have a lovely day x

SimonJT · 25/12/2020 09:30

We’re celebrating it for the first time as well, I was brought up in a muslim and sikh household, I’m an athiest but I do some traditional sikh stuff. This is my partners first christmas living with us, his parents are christians but hes an athiest so celebrates the non-religious side of christmas.

We’re keeping it small, we’re not doing santa etc. We do have a tree though, which is now screwed to the wall (we have a cat) and sometimes gets used as a toilet by our dog.

I liked Mohammad Hussains take on his first xmas on twitter. It seems like Mohammad I am still making christmas discoveries, at about 8:30 I discovered I’m meant to be wearing a nice outfit for christmas, I asked why considering the only place we are going is the courtyard and the park, it seems in december the answer “because its christmas” is acceptable.

PoinsiettaStillHasLeaves · 25/12/2020 09:31

it seems in december the answer “because its christmas” is acceptable.

That's pretty much the size of it! Grin

ILoveAnOwl · 25/12/2020 09:34

Merry Christmas! I hope you have a fantastic day x

Dee1975 · 25/12/2020 09:35

A lovely story. Enjoy your family time :-)

1992serpent · 25/12/2020 09:38

Enjoy your day OP. This is so lovely to read (knowing some muslims who condemn anyone for celebrating christmas).

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 25/12/2020 09:44

@SimonJT yes either a nice outfit, I guess possibly a hangover from Sunday best church clothes or party clothes, or in more recent years the cheesiest Christmas themed outfit you can find.

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