If you don't celebrate Christmas, what did you do today?

[Judgejudysno1fan]

Just that really.

Yeah, we are a Muslim family hence why we don't celebrate it.
Instead we have Eid, twice a year, presents and good food, heaps of chocolate.

But today would ahve been far too cold to go park. (Was below 5 degrees today where we are. )

Mini donuts sounds lovely.

Filled with chocolate? Or jam or sugar topped?

London. There was more than one to choose from! I am normally a bit of a takeaway snob and like Sichuan/Xinjiang etc cuisine with lots of spices and interesting ingredients, but today was just a standard Cantonese place because that was the most straightforward with eight people at the table.

Historically, in the States especially, Chinese restaurants were the only thing open on Christmas Day. So it became a thing for Jews to go to Chinese restaurants for a Christmas meal out.

www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/12/why-american-jews-eat-chinese-food-on-christmas/384011/

TheWayTheLightFalls I was feeling cross on behalf of my Jewish friends this morning when Radio 3 was non stop Christmas but then they said it was also Hannukh and played a beautiful song.

Very low key Christmas here, no drama, one present each, TV hasn't been on for days to avoid the endless nonsense.

I'm from New York city originally, NYC Jews flock to Chinatown or other Chinese restaurants on Christmas day. I think it's because they are reliably open! Also delicious 😋 and festive, with lights and colours and lots of dishes to share. In New York kosher Chinese is also a thing.

Chinese at Christmas is way better than turkey! More people should try it IMO!

Yes, its kind of an american secular Jewish thing to have chinese food. No kosher chinese takeout in my city so we made it all.

I did it with a couple of friends of mine who are american - they made some of the food. I wouldn't do it if it wasn't chanukah - usually on 25th December we are away. Because it is Chanukah we are home - both me and DH have a community related job so need to be here for at least part of chanukah - we hope to get away for the end of Chanukah to be with family.

8 nights of chanukah - will have 2 events, host people at our home twice, go to another community event one night, one night with family, and two quiet nights.

saw the last episode of bad sisters last night, gutted it’s over

Thanks for the explanation, that makes sense. I’ve never had a Chinese at Christmas as I’m not generally a big fan of Chinese food but I have often had Indian and fully agree it’s better than Turkey!

I made: potstickers (chicken and beef) egg fried rice, sesame noodles, sesame chicken, and the latkes and doughnuts. My friend made broccoli, a beef dish, green beans and sushi. (I know thats not Chinese...)

I think I am sorted for shabbat dinner with my leftovers.

@Judgejudysno1fan I didn't fill the doughnuts. They are tiny. Just rolled in caster sugar and served with ice cream and choc spread.

My son loves doughnut holes so I made them for him! (I actually had some shop bought ones as well but we used these instead)

Relaxed with kids and had a visit from family so all the kids play games and ran up and down generally making noise and mess.

I cooked lunch and planned to have Chinese takeaway, but was actually suprised to find none of them open (I'm new to this area from London so there was never a day with some kind of takeaway not open)

Thankfully I made so much lunch there was loads leftover so it wasn't so bad..maybe we'll get a Chinese tomorrow. It's been a lovely chilled day

I don’t have any close family, or friends whose time over Christmas isn’t prioritised by family. I decided this year to travel and will have spent the entire week in another European city. The weather here today was amazing and lifted my spirits. I not gonna lie. It is a challenge but I will remember this trip for the joy of being able to be myself - my limitations and my courage. 💃🏼🎄🕺🏼

@Simonjt Sikh and atheist? Please tell me more. I’m atheist but from a Muslim background and intrigued when atheists mention still being connected to their religious communities…

@Darkerdreamingdescribe that sounds wonderful!

We celebrate the Solstice so Christmas is just a day to exchange presents. It’s impossible to avoid it in the UK.

Most of it was spent chilling with the dogs.

Glad it’s over now though.

Segue, but I am Hindu and atheist/agnostic. I follow some of the cultural practices but not the religious ones. Cherrypick, I guess.

Take another look, I said Sikh and an athiest, as in one person is a Sikh and the other an athiest :)

Same thing I always do most days - it was just another day for me. So nothing special.

BTW all of us Jewish mumsnetters on this thread, are you having a NYE/ Hanukkah party? We are! (Although we know our new year was a few months ago ha!)

DH is Russian Orthodox so our new year is a whole other mashup - herring salad, a visit from Father Frost and watching the Soviet equivalent of Groundhog Day, timed so that it finishes at midnight exactly.