Jehovah Witnesses and Christmas

[piprabbit]

I work with a small group of lovely ladies running occasional activities during term time.
I usually buy them a small gift each at the end of term. Obviously at this time of year it inevitably gets referred to as a Christmas present (especially as I go for cheesy Santa paper etc.) - but it is really a small thank you for their support.

This year, one of the helpers is a Jehovah Witness. I know she doesn't do Christmas at all, but do you think it would be OK to give her a small gift too - wrapped in non-xmas paper, as I want her to feel appreciated but don't know if she would feel uncomfortable as I know that commercialisation of Christmas is a big issue.

Sorry for asking dozy questions - just realising the depths of my ignorance.

I would say, very clearly "this is a thank you present, to say thank you for your help this year". You might want to add that it is not a Christmas present but that may not be necessary.

I would think that more appropriate than leaving her out altogether.

I would 2nd what ThePoppyAndTheIvy said, no Christmas paper or anything so should be fine.

Yes, wrap in in pink flowery paper or similar, don't just leave her out.

Thank you for confirming I was thinking along the right lines.
I've some lovely pink swirly paper which will do the job very nicely .

I might be wrong but I didn't think Jehovah's Witnesses accepted gifts of any kind, not just Christmas. Sorry.

I thought they could accept gifts that are spontaneous and from the heart, and not celebrating a religious holiday.

As far as I know, you are right, piprabbit.

Jehovah's Witnesses can accept gifts for:
Weddings
Anniversaries
Showers, ... baby showers, wedding showers, bridal showers, ...
Spontaneous giving from the heart and out of love
All special events that are not associated with religious celebrations or political holidays

"Jehovah's Witnesses can give and take gifts when the gifts are not associated with any religious holiday or worldly celebration. Jehovah's Witnesses are separate from the world. As such they do not want to participate in any celebrations or holidays that would link them with the world. They want to remain isolated and loyal to their God Jehovah based on their religion's interpretation of the Bible. They do not consider that God's requirements and their religion's requirements are not the same."

Above from thejehovahswitnesses.org website, so hopefully she will accept it.
Sorry for the confusion

I gave a close relative, who's JW, a Christmas pud this year, we called it a winter pud and we all giggled withher about how I happened to make a Xmas pud for ourselves on the same day. I know the gift was appreciated and it was accepted in the spirit it was given - for the sharing of the love of good food and nothing else.

They do accept gifts. I used to buy for my in-laws Wedding Anniversary, it's the 'man-made' dates they do not believe in.

Pink flowers all the way! (left out the Xmas hat)

Sorry I just repeated what had been said!

It's a lovely thought and I'm sure would be much appreciated. I have close relatives who are witnesses and even if given a Christmas gift they would accept with gratitude and appreciation and explain they couldn't reciprocate because of their beliefs so you should not feel obliged to give them a gift.

I think the way you propose to do it is very thoughtful and considerate.

We often give our JW relative gifts at Christmas time - not for Christmas, the gift just happens to be given around the time of Christmas, never wrapped in Christmas paper though, not that she'd be upset or offended we just feel it's more considerate not to.....btw we try to give her gifts at other times too but sometimes it's hard to remember.