JW family and Christmas celebration *update post 21* - Page 2

[Tofu the Geek]

As an update, I did call them to invite them. They weren't home, but I left a message telling them saying that we were having a holiday celebration on the 26th and would love for them to join us if it fit in with their beliefs. If it didn't fit with their beliefs, we wouldn't be offended, but if they could please let us know if they were able to attend so we would have enough food, that would be great. I didn't mention presents at all, as like I said, I don't care about gift specifically. I kind of just wish their beliefs didn't override mine (which they mostly do since we normally can only have people over on holiday long weekends since that is when we get time off work and they never show up because it's a holiday, whether or not it's something we're specifically celebrating, so they don't even know my kids).

[Tofu the Geek]

I also wanted to thank the JWs for their input as I am trying to learn and understand here, so the input is very much appreciated.

[jennica]

I'll through in my : as a former JW. I think if your family has bad communication skills, it's possible that in the past it was not totally clear that it was a holiday event and they came not realizing. If it is for a holiday, either secular or religious, they wont come. If you neglect to tell them it is a holiday event, they may come, but upon realizing they will be highly uncomfortable. Your best bet is to invite them and specify that it is a holiday event. They likely wont come, and if by some chance they do, they wont bring gifts. They don't see it as impolite, they have a very strong sense of what is right or wrong for them to do, and those are very hard lines that can't be crossed.

As for birthdays, that one doesn't really make sense to me either and I was a JW for 30 years.

[kimiij]

Originally Posted by Pyrodjm

I'll try to answer this, though I'm not quite sure what you're asking. JW's don't attend any secular holiday celebrations (ie. Fourth of July BBQ, Mother's Day Brunch, etc.) or religious (ie. Easter Dinner ), birthday celebrations or religious events of other faiths (baptism, communion, etc). We do generally attend bridal and baby showers, graduations, weddings and other life event type parties. HTH.

So would you bring gifts to a bridal/baby shower, graduation, or wedding? Just curious.

[Tofu the Geek]

Originally Posted by kimiij

So would you bring gifts to a bridal/baby shower, graduation, or wedding? Just curious.

My JW family did give me a gift at my bridal shower and knitted something for our new baby. We didn't get a wedding gift (they didn't come to the wedding though).

[Pyrodjm]

Originally Posted by kimiij

So would you bring gifts to a bridal/baby shower, graduation, or wedding? Just curious.

Yes, we would give/accept gifts on those occasions. We also give gifts spontaneously, as in not for any specific occasion.