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Original poster

Should I send a card?

22 replies

Whimsy · 22/09/2004 22:03

Wondered if any of you could clear something up for me, we have a neighbour who came home from hospital with new baby yesterday (I think she has split with father has two older children) anyway said to DH I will have to get a card to congratulate her, she hasn't lived there long but tend to say morning ect when i see her. The problem is one of the neighbours said she was a Jehovah?s Witnesses and I know they don't celebrate Birthdays but does that mean they don't celebrate births? I know I maybe being thick but should I send a card or not. I think I should but Dh not so sure, so I will leave it up to you.

OP posts:
clairabelle · 22/09/2004 22:05

Don't really know if they do celebrate births but how could anyone not be pleased to receive a card congratulating them on the birth of their baby. I would send one.

poppyseed · 22/09/2004 22:12

I'd send one too, can't really put my reasons into words at this time of night but I feel that it's the right thing to do iyswim .

pixiefish · 22/09/2004 22:14

Send a card- what's the worst that'll happen- she won't put it up. The best is that she'll realise that her neighbours care about her and her baby (put a mention for MN in the card as well)

Original poster
Whimsy · 22/09/2004 22:36

Right, im going send one. If she gets offended I will act dumb. Not hard really

OP posts:
pixiefish · 22/09/2004 22:37

How are you to know she's a Jehova anyway?

JuniperDewdrop · 22/09/2004 22:41

Why don't you pop round with a shepherd's/apple pie or something similar and get chatting? Then you'd see if she had any cards. Lots of new mums welcome home cooked grub when they've just given birth. Either that or peer through her windows

Original poster
Whimsy · 22/09/2004 22:49

Good idea JuniperDewdrop, although did see lots of pre cooked food going in there earlier. Have tried to look in windows (from street of course )but she has blinds and you can't see a lot

OP posts:
JuniperDewdrop · 22/09/2004 22:50

fruit?

Or just go round to invite her for a cuppa?

JuniperDewdrop · 22/09/2004 22:52

I wish there were some J Ws online as I'm sure they don't believe in celebrating anything except God?

If it was me I'd knock on her door to ask how she is and just say ' I hope you don't think I'm being nosey but I was told you're a JW and was worried I'd offend you by sending a card'

But then again I'm not backwards in coming forwards so it depends on your nature

Original poster
Whimsy · 22/09/2004 23:07

Might leave it a day or so and then congratulate her. I will buy a card though because she hasn't told me she is a JW and I've sent cards to other moms in the Drive. Thanks for the advice

OP posts:
JuniperDewdrop · 22/09/2004 23:11

Sounds the best way to go whimsy. I'd still have to get in the door though to have a cuddle of the baby

Original poster
Whimsy · 22/09/2004 23:13

Saw grandad carrying him/she in last night, son cute all wrapped up

OP posts:
JuniperDewdrop · 22/09/2004 23:16

Awwww

Sounds like she may need a bit of support with 3 on her own. You never know you could make a new friend?

rosies · 23/09/2004 09:49

hi whimsy,

i just lifted this from the JW website... they are not opposed to giving gifts.

quite honestly, as most have said, if you feel its right to give a card and hearsay says they are JW, i'd give the card.

folk of different beliefs cant expect us all to know the ins and outs.

"Why don't you celebrate holidays?
We commemorate the Memorial of Christ's death, the most important religious event of the year for Jehovah's Witnesses. Throughout the year, Jehovah's Witnesses enjoy parties, picnics, and other events without feeling bound to obligations or to a fixed date. We may also celebrate special events such as weddings and anniversaries. However, we do not celebrate holidays that have non-Christian religious origins or those that promote nationalism. We are not opposed to celebrations in general or to the giving of gifts."

Original poster
Whimsy · 23/09/2004 10:07

Thanks rosies, I had a look on a JW website, but couldn't find anything on celebrations. Im going to send a card and see what she says.
Thanks

OP posts:
Bibiboo · 24/09/2004 10:30

Whimsy, I don't see how anyone could be offended by a well meaning, thoughtful card. In fact, if everyone thinks she's a JW and doesn't send her cards, she'll appreciate yours even more

Tommy · 24/09/2004 10:33

I always got the impression that JWs did celebrate things in life and gave cards and gits etc at different times of the year. Of course send them a card! Even if it's not part of their tradition, it part of yours

thelollipoplady · 25/10/2004 21:31

it's really lovely of you to be so concerned about whether or not she'd want a card. Jehovah's Witnesses do send and receive cards and presents to congratulate parents on the arrival of a new baby - i've still got a whole drawer of hand knits for my daughter to prove it! It's just birthdays (as in anniversaries of birth) that aren't celebrated, and as Tommy said, JWs give presents at other times of the year.

Anyway if she's on her own with a few children and a new baby, sounds like she could do with all the support she can get, especially from a caring neighbour like you.

collision · 25/10/2004 22:00

JW's dont celebrate birthdays but they definitely do celebrate births and she will be delighted to receive your card.

eidsvold · 26/10/2004 06:14

my mil is a jw and she gave us a card on the birth of our dd... and I think if she has not said anything to you - send her a card - it will show her you are thinking of her and I am sure she would be touched

hana · 26/10/2004 08:35

one of my grandfathers is a JW....he never acknowledged our birthdays growing up or indeed anything that we did....he's a very old man now and has told dad that he has so many regrets..... Whe dd was born he did send a card...

Original poster
whimsy · 26/10/2004 19:20

Thanks for the replys, i did send a card and the baby is lovely

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