Related Posts
Conversation Starter
Pro
Pro
Anyone here want to be a friend can ping me..
Rising Star
How do you guys make friends in a new town?
More Posts
Bowl Leader
Anyone know the raise amounts for BCG yet?
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
What would your rant be about? Do you also wish you could say to your Jewish students “Happy Hanukah”? And your Muslim students “Good Ramadan and Eid”? Or any Hindu students to “have a great Diwali”? Or to any atheist students “Happy Day of Reason”? Can you also be sure all of your students are able to have a “Merry Christmas”? Or would you just like to rant about being Christian and not be able to say “Merry Christmas” to those who are the same religion as you? You see where this is going?
You can wish your own kids whatever you want. Your students are different matter. If you know what each child celebrates and want to celebrate that, it’s awesome. But the fauxpression of Christians who think everyone should say Merry Christmas is baffling when they would never be ok with people wishing them - or their children - Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanzaa. Hopefully that’s not what you meant. I’m just not clear on what sort of rant you are referring to.
And why can't you? No one ever said you couldn't say Merry Christmas. Just remember not everyone celebrates Christmas and say happy whatever they celebrate to those who don't. Dont be so dramatic, I bet you believe all the fox bs about the "war on Christmas " too... smh🙄
I know people who bitch about "not being allowed to celebrate Christmas" while having 3 Christmas trees in their home, 1 year round.
They see a "Happy Holidays" from a cashier as a vicious verbal assault.
what. what is the wrong about saying happy holidays to you? Why do something that you know poses the risk of making a child feel left out in anyway? What is so wrong with saying an unspecified statement that still gives the same happiness? “Happy holidays!” is the same as “merry christmas!” only it is applicable to anything that anyone celebrates.
Yes!!!! When you ask a child what they celebrate, they are so excited to share about it.
No one is stopping you from wishing your own kids anything. The holidays are not a happy season for all. I also don’t understand what the big deal is about including everyone given the number of holidays occurring around the same time of year. If I say anything, it’s “have a peaceful holiday.”
I should be allowed to encourage my unenlightened coworkers to wake the hell up.
But that is merely one perspective and it is entirely possible I am wrong. So I am going to keep my damn opinion to myself and hope they do the same.
Sigh. I would think wishing someone a “Happy Anything” is positive. I really love whatever positive wish a person gives me, whether it’s Christian, Jewish, whatever, because it’s the intent that should matter. With that being said, at school I simply say, “Have a great Winter Break!”
I celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah at my house, and since Christmas was my first holiday I celebrated most of my life that's my default. Or sometimes I'll say happy whatever you celebrate! Most times people will just say thank you, whether they celebrate. Or, if a student or staff doesn't celebrate they have said on occasion, "thank you so much - I actually celebrate Hanukkah, but I still appreciate it!" The sentiment is what matters, how other people perceive it is on them.
You always opt for Merry Christmahannukwanzadan or ask the kids what they celebrate and have fun with them making your own Celebration word. You don’t have to stifle yourself, just find a way to be inclusive. It’s a joyous time of year.
Are you opposed to saying happy whatever Holiday or not if you celebrate? Because this is the point where I am at it’s all just to much. We have to watch whatever you say. I feel like we are walking on egg shells all of the time.
Lots of holidays to celebrate in addition to Christmas. https://titanuniverse.org/2021/11/december-holidays-that-arent-christmas/
It is a great opportunity to learn and teach about differences and similarities and mutual appreciation. Unless anyone is against making others feel valued.
First Amendment. It can be said. It doesn't have to be liked. People move on to the next topic. The end. The same with my post.
I feel your frustration. This is why I push for inclusion rather than negation. Some will say not to share my belief, but honestly, why can’t we ALL share ours? It is DEFINITELY frowned upon in some areas to say Christmas. I don’t mind someone saying HappyHannuka back to me if I say Merry Christmas. I jus want to not have to hide something important to me. And they shouldn’t have to hide theirs…all for the sake of “being socially sensitive”. Let it all out!!
Happy Holidays IS inclusive
In our district (I teach high school) we have always wished each other a Merry Christmas and I have always handed out candy canes and Christmas cards. The students love it. We have a large school Christmas tree (it goes back to the inception of the school's traditions) our jazz band plays Christmas music in the open dining/gathering area and clubs and classes have Christmas parties. We have door decorating contests and we play Christmas music in the halls. Our Jewish students participate and do not feel offended as do all of our other students. All are welcome to take pictures at the Christmas photo spot and partake in the hot chocolate and Christmas cookies. The students are all smiles throughout December as we head to final exams.
My school has Christmas trees in two areas, teachers decorate halls and doors, we have Christmas parties, the band comes over to play Christmas music, and we tell everyone Merry Christmas. If I had any students who celebrated otherwise, I would also acknowledge them. I don't know anything about the wiccan families in the school, but I know there are a couple. Not sure where they stand on Christmas.
You can say Merry Christmas. I work in a very diverse liberal area and I've never been told that I can't say Merry Christmas to my students. We do have winter and holiday themed activities that are not religious based because we're a public school. I highly doubt OP was told in Texas that they can't say Merry Christmas. Unless it was like one specific student who is JW or something. Christians seem to think that they are being discriminated against if other people follow their own beliefs. So yeah you should be able to say Merry Christmas, but don't lose your shit if the kid says "Happy Holidays!" back
I say Happy Holidays because I'm with students with all different practices. That being said.....I print off coloring pages with Santa as well as with a Menorah. If the administration steps in to create gaps, not in the best interest of the student, or in the long run, the world. The children are very inclusive. The problem is when the adults step in to "protect" the kids. Maybe step back and take a lesson.
Even Christians have Advent and Epiphany in addition to Christmas.
I am happy to wish my students happy whatever holiday they wish.
I agree. I wish my kids Merry Christmas, at least when I know they celebrate. For those who don't, I say Happy Holidays or "Have a great break/vacation!"
Either way, most kids don't get up in arms abt it. Most are just happy to get a week off at all.
I ask my students to make an ornament for my classroom tree every year, but I always tell then to make it math oriented ( math teacher ) but they are to celebrate their individuality, show me through color or design how you celebrate during this season, I have many different ornaments that are amazing that celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and just plain math, my kids are awesome. I give bonus for this activity each year. I have a tree in my home to display these treasures.
I have simply found “Have a restful break” or “enjoy your break” to be what’s best for me. I don’t care what anyone celebrates or even if they celebrate nothing. They can do what they do over the winter break—but I think that encouraging them to rest and refresh is what matters most for these kiddos. With friends and family who I know celebrate Christmas/Hanukkah etc—I’ll get more specific. Otherwise, I like to just be general.