We're celebrating Christmas for the first time because

[jingleballing]

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 !

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 have a lovely Christmas everyone and an amazing time with your loved ones

I'm glad people are enjoying the secular side.

Does anyone remember last year, or maybe a couple of years ago a poster had recently converted to Judaism so was doing her first 25th December without Xmas? She found out everyone at the synagogue, including the rabbi had plans for the day.

The main Christian festival is Easter and most of the stuff we do for Xmas is pagan. Xmas trees have only been a tradition or 100-150 years, all the decorations on them are pagan.

@SimonJT I'm surprised you didn't know about posh clothes, I think that's something that links a lot of religious holidays.

Merry Christmas, OP (and everyone else)! I was raised Catholic but have been an atheist for years, and I love Christmas!

I wish you a Merry and Magical Christmas 🎄✨☃️🎄✨

Seasons greetings on this your first Christmas.
Enjoy the day, and your childrens happiness.

Hope you have a good Christmas.
Sorry to hear about your mum x

That brought tears to my eyes!

Wishing you and your family the best Christmas ever. Which it cannot fail to be, being the first!

Merry Christmas OP! Your post was beautiful, and can I take this opportunity to express one of the many meanings of Christmas, which is to wish you and your loved ones joy, peace and happiness.*

I hope you have a lovely day and I hope that we can all enjoy, participate (or observe if appropriate) in each other’s high days and holy days in a peaceful, harmonious world to come.

*and also: much glitter, general chaos, an argument about the gravy/the remote, a sense that TV/quality street/turkeys just aren’t what they used to be back when thon were a lass, and a sort of happy, bloated contentment later on.

Omg wow HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE 🥰🥰🥰 how lovely to read so many lovely warm wishes ! xx

Well the presents have been opened ...the lamb is in the oven ...the dc have ditched their Xmas jumpers for full on party dresses (I thought that was very eidy until I read on here it's also very christmassy 😂) and I am about to shower and get into my Xmas jumper ! My plan is to wear the comfiest clothes (think leggings and soft jumper) but glam up on top with curled hair and make up

To the posters asking, yes I have a big tree, dd1 and dd2 had mini trees in their rooms, I decorated the porch and kitchen diner also! I do love a bit of decorating I just admit. I will post pictures of my very first tree because I'm very proud of my handiwork haha

❤

My tree , everyone

Merry Christmas @jingleballing I truly believe that religion and beliefs are for everyone, no matter how you are raised, to fb it makes you happy, then do it. I get your feelings of sadness having lost a parent just two years ago. I'm really pleased that you're feeling free and happy to celebrate a day without sadness. I've grown up enjoying Christmas and now love to see the magic for my children. It can be a wonderful day, particularly because the country takes a pause.

Beautiful tree!

This post really made me smile. We do not celebrate the religious aspect of Christmas but just love the joy of being together ( not so many of us this year) and presents and food. Now my kids are older it’s a really full on but happy time of the year. enjoy OP and seasons greetings to you. 🌲🥳

Aaahhhh this is so nice! Merry first Christmas, I hope you have a lovely day ☺️

Gorgeous tree!

Enjoy your first Christmas!🎄

Merry Christmas xx

Jesus was a prophet and he's in your book as well as ours.

Happy Christmas.

This is the loveliest, most heart warming post I've read, and it completely embodies what Christmas is about. I hope you have a lovely day.

Merry Christmas!
Your 🎄 is stunning. Have a lovely day making happy memories x

Happy first Christmas, welcome to the club. The more the merrier

🎄🎁Merry Christmas!!!!

I LOVE your post. I'm obviously very sorry to hear about your Mum, but I'm so glad you've decided to join in with the Christmas madness!!!!

It sounds like you're having a brilliant day!

Did you realise Lamb isn't traditional at Christmas, it's Turkey, & Lamb at Easter (which I've always thought was extra sad!) but as a vegetarian I don't do either 🤣

I'm spending Christmas alone this year, I'm not even sure I'm going to cook the roast potatoes & veg tbh. Might just nibble on various things like cheese & crackers and mince pies🤣

Your thread has really brought me a lovely warm feeling, so thank you for sharing. I love just how much you've got into
It all 🎄🎁

Just remember, it's not Christmas until there's been an argument about something 🤣🤣

Yes, we also believe in Jesus (Isa) as a prophet of God. Absolutely. And we also believe he will come back.

Haha yes I knew about the lamb 😂 but! We've done a Christmas dinner before (just the dinner) and I've made turkey , but no one liked it ! And it was massive , most of it went to waste , so this year we've decided it's lamb !

Hahahaha @WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants the argument part sounds like eid to be fair it will probably happen in the kitchen between me and dh when we're prepping the meal no doubt
Hope you're having a lovely day by yourself and your yummy nibbles

Ooooh i need to remember to get the crackers out .

Merry first Christmas OP. I hope you and your family have the best day! This thread has really made me smile xxx