very ignorant question, but is it shockingly bad form to invite a Jevohah's Witness to join you "for christmas"?

[FloraFinching]

DH's auntie has always joined us for our big meal on Christmas Day. This year, she was baptised into the Jehovah's Witnesses. I don't want to exclude her from the festivities, but am aware that JW's do not celebrate Christmas, and don't want to cause offence.

Also, if she doesn't come is it bad form to send a present??

My uncle is a JW and annoyed all his street by starting up a cement mixer on Christmas morning!

I think you can still invite her along but also acknowledge that she may feel uncomfortable about it. If you want to send her a gift use flowery paper or something with dogs on and a 'thinking of you' message and maybe time it so that it gets there in November or early December.

Sorry, I meant acknowldege in your invite that you are aware she may not feel it is appropriate to come.

Talk to her about it. Just ask her what she thinks. She will probably be pleased you are trying to do the right thing and that you are keen not to offend her.

JWs don't celbrate Christmas, so it would probably not be a good idea to send a present. But you could still invite her to have dinner with you on "25th December" and see if she accepts or not. She may choose not to, but I don't think it would be rude to ask.

I would just ask her, I think it is a very individual thing. My in-laws are very strict JWs and are a bit upset by the mere mention of Christmas (although this could be more to do with DH leaving the religion) but some of DH's friends growing up that are still JWs sort of half-heartedly celebrate it.

thanks for your thoughts. I will ask, and if I do get short shrift then I guess at least that's a mistake I won't make again!

what do they find so upsetting about Chrsitmas? I'd invite her since you usually do but just let her know that you understand if it isn't something she is comfortable with now after becoming a JW.

Even if she doesn't celebrate it anymore, she might feel lonely on her own.

I find with anything like this, it's better just to bite the bullet and ask people what they'd prefer. I'd rather offend in the asking than the action.

My friend comes from a JW family but isn't himself, and although I send him a card and present, they don't allow him to put the card up or talk about it at all.

I would say something like

"I understand that because of your faith, you might no longer feel comfortable coming to us for Christmas, but if you would like to, we would be very glad to see you, as always", and I wouldn't send a present. I think to avoid mention of Christmas altogether would be a bit much to expect and might be "too tactful" if you see what I mean.

I don't see what the fuss is about Christmas. It was never a Christian festival in the beginning anyway.

Just do what you normally do and she will just have to cope with it. Getting upset about Christmas is futile as most people today celebrate it.

That's the problem ilovehens. JWs are a reconstructionist group and as Christmas has non-Christian origins, it is not acceptable for them to celebrate it. Ditto Easter, Mothers Day, even saying 'bless you'

They don't celebrate birthdays because Jesus never did - the only celebration the Bible mentions is marriage, so celebrating this is permitted.

I'd take the lead from your Aunt-in-law; she'll know what she is happy to attend, but don't expect presents from her

JWs celebrate the breaking of bread and the Last supper on Maundy Thursday, and only that.

that's because Jesus told everyone to remember him by eating bread and drinking wine.
most christians celebrate this every week, as communion.
and we celebrate Easter and Christmas because they're important events in Jesus's life - but JWs only celebrate the event that they were explicitly told to.