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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

jehovah's witness and christmas cards

41 replies

BlissfulMistletoe · 04/12/2011 21:27

there is a little girl in DS class that is a jehovah's witness, now she is one a ds friends. They play together and after school she said love you alfie (not ds name)

OP posts:
south345 · 04/12/2011 21:27

?

Original poster
BlissfulMistletoe · 04/12/2011 21:27

sorry hit post to soon...he really want to send her a christmas card

OP posts:
Wishiwasarestaurantcritic · 04/12/2011 21:30

We had the same dilemma. DS drew a lovely glittery snowman card and we wrote have a good school holiday on it. All was fine, the mum didn't start preaching hellfire or ordering us to repent! Smile

531800000008 · 04/12/2011 21:31

explain that she would prefer not to receive a card, that her family don't observe Christmas; it's a perfect opportunity to explore other faiths

Smile
Groovee · 04/12/2011 21:31

Dh's aunties and uncles are JW. We've never sent them a card. They're not backwards in given us their leaflets or bibles! I know that with Brethen in dd's class although children gave them back to the teacher.

Original poster
BlissfulMistletoe · 04/12/2011 21:35

because Jehovah's Witnesses are not allowed to celebrate Christmas, i don't want to confuse this girl, I don't know how strong of a belive is. I know she is a JW as i asked her if poppy (not her real name) is looking forward to christmas

OP posts:
Serenitysutton · 04/12/2011 21:36

Sorry what is the thread about? Are you pissed?

NorfolkNCarolSingers · 04/12/2011 21:37

Best to not bother. If you do give her one it could cause upset with her parents etc.

troisgarcons · 04/12/2011 21:37

JWs wont send cards, but wont be upset at receiving one.

Wildly O/T my son has a JW friend who doesnt know when his own birthday is, because it isnt celebrated. He just "knows" he's 15 or 16 because thats how old his classmates are - now thats what I find weird

Serenitysutton · 04/12/2011 21:38

Ah x posted. Why can't he send her a Xmas card? Jw aren't offended by it, as far as I'm aware. Anyone who is actively offended by one child sending another festive wishes is a cunt in my book.

theincredibequeenofwands · 04/12/2011 21:38

Oooo, don't know.

I remember many years ago my boss used to give us £50 in a card each Christmas. A JW colleague took the money out, tore up the card and chucked it in the bin. Think she was quite offended!

Original poster
BlissfulMistletoe · 04/12/2011 21:40

serenitysutton....... it is about if ds should send a christmas card to a friend of his who is a JW

OP posts:
troisgarcons · 04/12/2011 21:40

Jws are actually pretty easy going - they like the fact anyone has faith and respect that - if you dont have faith thats when they start with te watchtower.

QuintessentialyFestive · 04/12/2011 21:42

Maybe you can opt for a more generic Seasons Greetings card, or one that says Happy New Year, instead? I do think JW believe in the new year, unless they have turned doomsday suddenly. Wink

babyhammock · 04/12/2011 21:44

Yes
But like the other poster said wishing her 'happy holidays'
Can't go wrong with that!

FWIW I was a JW child and christmas was extremely boring as you can imagine. I would have loved a card from a friend

HelloShitty · 04/12/2011 21:45

One of my close colleagues (in a school) is a JW. She gets lots of cards from children who don't know that she doesn't celebrate Christmas, and she's fine with that. I think it would be disrespectful to send one if you understood her faith though. I agree with 53... it's never too early to teach your kids that we're not all the same.

tralalala · 04/12/2011 21:48

I think the girl would love a card.

LindaLaHughes · 04/12/2011 21:53

I really wouldn't worry about it. I was brought up a JW & there was absolutely no offence if someone gave my family or I a Christmas card. If your son wants to give one then that's lovely & will be accepted with the good grace it's been give , however you should tell him that he will not receive one in return & the reasons for that, if appropriate.
Please don't agonise over it, you're thinking too much. Grin

mumdad2kidsandadog · 04/12/2011 21:55

How about getting him to make a 'Thank you for being a good friend' card instead?

Serenitysutton · 04/12/2011 21:57

Def thinking too much. I would be really touched to get a eid, dwali or hannUkkah.

lisad123 · 04/12/2011 21:57

Well as a Jw I can tell you we aren't at all offended by Xmas cards, it's lovely that someone has taken the time and thought to think of our children. I would be even more delighted if someone thought enough to do a winter card or just a normal one.

We don't display Xmas card and they normally end up in recycling but still thought that's counts

Serenitysutton · 04/12/2011 21:58

Also posted too soon (is this thread jinxed?!)

A eid dwali or hannukka CARD even though so festivals are meaningless to me.

FeathersMcGraw · 04/12/2011 22:01

DH was a Witness before he met me (he had fallen away by the time we started seeing each other) and he was never offended if he received cards.

He still chats to the Witnesses who go on the Ministry and knock on our door - in fact he invited 2 in for coffee this morning and they had to negotiate the tinsel, boxes of decs etc as we were in the middle of putting up the Christmas tree Xmas Grin

dancingmustard · 05/12/2011 04:46

If you're going to give her/them one.
Make sure it's a 3ft by 2ft one that hammers out a festive tune :)

MrsDistinctlyMintyMonetarism · 05/12/2011 05:22

We got round this by giving my dd's friend (JW and highly aware) a candy cane and wishing her a lovely holiday.

No card (as she was quite clear this wouldn't be ok) but still in the spirit of giving.

By the way - she doesn't go to anyone's birthday party either - is that also a normal JW thing? I do feel sad for her that she misses out on so much.

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