Comments (217)

• Maybe next year instead of ranting against Christmas, you could write more about Chanukah. Share the positive. Or, at the very least, you could try a respectful tone.

  Posted by Angie on December 24, 2008 at 9:47 am | permalink | Reply

• Christmas is an American Holiday like the 4th of July and Thanksgiving in addition to being a Religious Holiday for some (Most). Since it is a national holiday this is why most people get the day off. I also work with people from India on a regular basis and they have holidays that we do not reconigize or celebrate here in the United States. We are aware of their holidays and they are aware of ours since we count on each other to get the work done. I doubt very much that workers are concerned about having a holiday. If my employer started to give us a paid holiday on Yom Kippur or any other holiday you wouldn't get any complaints from me or any one else in the office. Sorry, I just don't see workers getting one day off out of 365 per year being enough of a problem to hold a diversity council over it. How about we talk about Martin Luther King Day or Election Day instead? Merry Christmas!

  Posted by Steve on December 24, 2008 at 9:51 am | permalink | Reply

  • To me, Christmas is a family holiday. It isn't religious at all. But then again, I don't call it Christmas – I call it the holiday season. If you think of it in terms of general "holiday" much like "required vacation", it becomes less annoying. I send cards, put up a tree, give gifts and make an effort to see my family. Because that is what it is about.

    This time of the year, for whatever religion/tradition, is a time when people get together to share and spend time with each other. I spent a long time being resentful of the religious implications, but frankly, the commercial implications bother me even more these days.

    Personally, I feel the religious AND the commercial aspects have gotten old and purposeless. It feels more like a duty than a genuine time to share with each other. Removing religious and commercial parts makes this holiday something available for everyone.

    Posted by Lane on December 24, 2008 at 12:27 pm | permalink | Reply

  • Christmas is NOT an American holiday. The 4th of July is a celebration of American freedom; Thanksgiving is a celebration of the fall harvest in America. These are *specifically* American holidays. Christmas, as you know, has absolutely nothing to do with America and everything to do with Christ. It is celebrated world-wide, of course, while the other 2 holidays you mention are, of course, not.

    I agree, by the way, about the whole Christmas debate here. I work for a public K-12 school system and we get 2 weeks that center around Christmas, while students have to miss school (which counts against the in many ways) for any non-Christian holiday. As a staff member and a Christian, I enjoy the 2 weeks, but I realize that it is entirely biased against my Jewish friends, and my other, non-Christian religious friends. I'm in the South…many people here would prefer to have a week off to celebrate the Ga/Fla or AL/Auburn games. :)

    Posted by Kathy Davies on December 31, 2008 at 2:32 pm | permalink | Reply

  • Christmas is an American holiday? What? Christmas is based on the myth that a virgin gave birth to the only child born without sin. Think about that. Your unborn child is considered to be a sinner the second he or she is born! This impossible event has since been seized upon by corporate mongrels. Yeah, enjoy Christmas but don't start giving someone a hard time because they happen to have an alternate view.

    Posted by Cap'n P on December 21, 2011 at 11:06 am | permalink | Reply

• Maybe you should focus on the positive instead of the negative and if you can't find anything positive about Christmas then maybe you shouldn't be talking about it at all.

  Your annual rants about your feeling on Christmas are getting old!

  Posted by Elizabeth on December 24, 2008 at 10:15 am | permalink | Reply

• Lighten up and enjoy the beautiful lights and the general better natures of the people around you AND the general slow down at work. That's what I do. Is it really SO awful to end the year on a slow and quiet note of good will?
  If you feel left out of the traditions, make your own.

  Posted by Lauren on December 24, 2008 at 10:17 am | permalink | Reply

• As someone who 'celebrates' Christmas, but isn't Christian at all, I think the entire holiday has become a gray area. I work in finance, so I have the day off simply because the stock market is closed. (I also get Washington's birthday, so that's a push.). It's also 80 degrees where I live right now, so there isn't much in way of that 'holiday' feel.

  I think it comes down to how the office celebrates the holiday. If there are numerous religious references, group prayers, etc than it certainly crosses the line. But if it's more of a simple, all-inclusive celebration that doesn't get too specific other than the shape of cookies, than it isn't a big deal.

  Posted by Norcross on December 24, 2008 at 10:17 am | permalink | Reply

• PS – The fact is the vast majority of people in the US celebrate some form of Chrsitmas and will be taking the day, if no the week off. It's not cost-effective for offices to reamin open (providing heat, lights, and maintenance and security staff [who probably want off too]) for the very few folks who might be tempted to come into the office, knowing no one else will be there.
  SERIOUSLY P, get over it and find a way to enjoy or relax.

  Posted by Lauren on December 24, 2008 at 10:21 am | permalink | Reply

• I'd rather hear more about Jewish holidays than rants like these.

  Since a majority of the country celebrates Christmas (whether they are Christian or not…), it makes good business sense to close. It may not in a "consulting" company like yours, but to most businesses it does. That's reality. It's somewhat concerning that this is not inherently obvious to a career consultant.

  As an agnostic from a family of agnostics, I celebrate Christmas as a time with family and of good will. Don't know why so many other non-Christians seem to have such a tough time with this concept.

  Posted by TA on December 24, 2008 at 10:21 am | permalink | Reply

• I think that Christmas represents more than just the birth of Christ (which did not occur on Dec. 25th, two thousand and nine years ago).
  The season that surrounds it is in my opinion a time for reflection and reconnection, both on an individual basis, and as a nation of individuals.
  The holiday part of it has become less and less important over the years, as I see more and more places remaining open during this time. Does this make our society better, or more culturally conscious? I don't know, but I feel that we lose something with the commercialism, and the diminishing of this time, as a season of good will.

  My2centsworth

  Posted by Dale on December 24, 2008 at 10:25 am | permalink | Reply

• Very good points, and I agree. However, I feel that the same business's that would benefit from a more accomodating attitude, ultimately feel that they are more profitable with propogating a secularization of Christmas. There are other Christian holiday's that are big revenue generators: St. Valintines Day, St. Patricks Day, Mardi Gras, that because of how they have been exploited and marketed, by various business's and industries, have very secular overtones. The total secularization won't happen overnight, but it's been slowly happening for the last 60 years. Christmas used to be a more solemn holiday (which I guess can be said for many holidays – why do we need retail sales on MLK day?), and was never meant to be as in your face as it has become, but there's money to be made from the inyourfaceiness (take that Colbert!), so unless that stops…change follows the money.

  Posted by Jimmy on December 24, 2008 at 10:25 am | permalink | Reply

• First of all, I really like the idea of floating holidays, being able to take the time you need to practice your own religion.

  No, we don't technically live in a "Christian nation," but the majority of the country practices some form of Christianity. And even if a person/family is Agnostic or Atheist, there's a good chance they still practice a secular form of Christmas (myself included). That being said, most people will request for that day off to be with their families. Even with a floating holiday plan implemented, there gets to be a point where it makes more sense to shut down for a day than to be ridiculously understaffed and asking those celebrating Christmas to come in for the day. You wouldn't want to be asked to come in on Yom Kippur, would you? I realize that's a generalization, and not all companies will have a Christian majority, and at that point a day off is trivial. Maybe some companies give the day off because of religious preference. Maybe some do it because of staffing. If it's purely religious, then there's a problem. But I see no problem in shutting down for a day if the majority of workers would be using one of their holidays.

  Finally, I disagree with the options you have set for your poll. I don't have a strong inclination towards any of them, and I feel they have a tone of creating guilt in those celebrating Christmas.

  Posted by Kera on December 24, 2008 at 10:26 am | permalink | Reply

• @kera – Agree on the poll comments.

  Posted by TA on December 24, 2008 at 10:29 am | permalink | Reply

• Thanks, I completely agree.

  It sucks having to be dragged through Christmas every year. All I get out of it is a day of vacation when everything is closed.

  Posted by andy on December 24, 2008 at 10:30 am | permalink | Reply

• The terms in which you phrase your poll, Penelope, are somewhat loaded and emotive. (As you are no doubt aware. I realise this isn't a piece of statistically significant quantitative research.)

  That notwithstanding, I agree: Christianity should not be thus favoured.

  On the other hand, there are pragmatic reasons for universal closure in many instances. How many organisations could sustain Christmas Day opening? My own (a small independent school) couldn't realistically open. Those such as myself (copywriting/design) whose work is not tied to the office location might choose to work from home — but many roles need to be *in* work to *do* work.

  That said, it's by engaging in this kind of debate that we begin to challenge the status quo. If enough people challenge the assumption that people don't want to work on Christmas Day, it becomes more likely that organisations may profitably remain open.

  Thought-provoking post as ever.

  Posted by Tom Parnell on December 24, 2008 at 10:32 am | permalink | Reply

  • Christmas is a federal holiday and it is status quo. The United States is a very religiously diverse country. We should challenge the status quo if it isn't 'working' in the workplace.
    The following was taken from the Wikipedia page on status quo (political usage section) which I thought was interesting -

    "Arguing to preserve the status quo is usually done in the context of opposing a large, often radical change. The social movement is a great example of the status quo being challenged. The term frequently refers to the status of a large issue, such as the current culture or social climate[1] of an entire society or nation.
    Politicians sometimes refer to a status quo. Often there is a policy of deliberate ambiguity, referring to the status quo rather than formalizing the status. An example of political ambiguity is the political status of Germany. Clark Kerr is reported to have said, "The status quo is the only solution that cannot be vetoed," meaning that the status quo cannot simply be decided against; action must be taken if it is to change.
    Sometimes specific institutions are founded to actively maintain the status quo. The United Nations, for example, was intended to help solidify the peaceful international status quo that immediately followed World War II.
    In Israel, the term refers to an informal agreement conducted in 1947 between the secular leadership of the Zionist movement in Palestine and leaders of the Orthodox Jews, which created a framework for the establishment of the country. This agreement lays out ground rules for the relationship between state and religion in four major issues: Shabbat, education, Kashrut, and matrimonial law. It has been more or less maintained throughout the country's existence."
    And yes, there are many Jews that suffer in silence, so it's good to hear you speak your mind here. As an Episcopalian, I celebrate Christmas. Yesterday I was doing my last minute Christmas shopping in the snow and ice. I was thinking I wanted to be the Grinch on the way home. :)

    Posted by Mark W. on December 24, 2008 at 12:08 pm | permalink | Reply

    • Replying to my own comment – really just adding to it on the subject of status quo. I was reminded of this rant around 12/26 by a song ("The Way It Is" by Bruce Hornsby and the Range) I have on CD and heard while shopping on a store's speaker system. Just getting around to posting it now. It's a great song. I think the lyrics apply here – as well as the explicit reference it originally made to the American Civil Rights Movement (according to Wikipedia). A segment of the lyrics -
      "That's just the way it is
      Some things will never change
      That's just the way it is
      But don't you believe them"
      Everybody has a rant.
      Everybody wants a voice.
      I still like your voice for the same reason as I did originally – it's thought-provoking.

      Posted by Mark W. on January 2, 2009 at 4:31 pm | permalink |

• Penelope:

  You are so beautiful.

  I'm an ex-orthodox, semi practicing Jew. I am as sick of the Christmas gagfest as any sane Gentile might be – the constant music, workplace gift crap, over saturation, and commercialization that has hijacked what was once a legit religion (I assume at one time it was legit, before the common era).

  thislife.org has a great radio documentary on how the American Christmas came to be – you know, over the top commercial and gift driven, etc.

  I am sick of having the goyim shove it down my throat, and my dear friends who are not Jewish are starting to get with the program and are starting to opt out (gotta love those Gentiles who have a 'Yiddishe Kop').

  Once spiritual gal pal of mine is a lapsed Baptist, said to me, "no more obligations to buy lists of gifts, to go into debt, to give people what they dont want or need, no more."

  No more secret Santa at work (I'm glad I'm out of the cubicle world now), I'm with my Hindu and Sikh colleagues saying, "WTF? Why am I being asked to do this, I'm not down for this Christian crap".

  Where did this overbuying and over-consumption on the Christian holiday come from? Listen to that TAL show and see. It was a holiday for the working class to get drunk.

  Remember: New years is 8 days after Christmas on the Roman Solar Calendar – what happens to Jewish males 8 days after their birth? Hands? Gentiles? Come on.

  On this 4th day of Chanukah, a real holiday for the whole world to celebrate religious freedom for all of G-ds children, no matter what religion, we can recall that a small band of Jewish Priests (insurgents) repelled the Syrian and Greek forces trying to subjugate the rightful occupants of the Holy land of G-d.
  No more Santa, secret or otherwise. No more institutionalized gifting that puts people in hawk.

  No more false Jesus messiah, but the true righteous one that we await. No born again, left behind crap. No Gentiles supportive of Jews and Israel – but only if we plan to convert in the end before the rapture. Crapola.

  Judaism is the true faith of one G-d, and the commandments are for his children that have suffered so long waiting for the redemption, suffering through ages of a false reign of commercialized and brutal Christian regimes. In the workplace too. Damn straight.

  No one is born perfect, or perfectly righteous. We all have to come to terms with faith as best we can. If we are modern day Jews, through our tradition, if gentiles, then as best one can through adapting one's innate kernel of spiritual goodness despite the behest of a wayward tradition and teaching via a corrupted bible improperly translated and misinterpreted by men.

  Posted by Alan Wilensky on December 24, 2008 at 10:34 am | permalink | Reply

  • Alan,

    I am somewhat sympathetic to your being forced to endure Christmas in an overwhelmingly Christian nation. I'm atheist myself and I get sick of all the comercialism concerning Christmas that I swear, starts in August! However, rather than whining about it, I encourage you to do something positive about it. There is a beautiful country where you will not be forced to celebrate Christmas, and in fact will be very tolerant of your Jewish beliefs. That country is called Israel.

    Of course, if you move there, you will be living in a nation that is unabashedly religious and makes no pretense at being secular. Not only your holidays will be chosen for you, but how you spend them too. For example, I gather from your diatribe that you are not completely orthodox any more. Thus you would probably consider driving on high holidays and perhaps even working. I'm afraid that won't cut it my friend. You will be stoned and beaten in certain quarters for breaking sabath. Your girlfried/wife will be beaten for wearing jeans. The police will do little if anything to the perpetrators.

    You probably also like to think of yourself as socially liberal. You believe all people are equal and should enjoy the same rights: freedom of movement, freedom to live where they want, freedom to worship how they choose. Well, you better check those ideals at the border. You will be in a nation that puts one religion above all others (and makes no attempt to disguise the fact). You will be a second class citizen unless you pick the one true religion.

    Certainly this nation over does Christmas. But, it's still the most tolerant place on earth. It's by and large, a secular nation. Stores are open on Christmas. You can skip church and go driving on Christmas, or even work, as I do. By and large, we are not forced to stare at crosses in public places. What do you think is going to happen to you when you complain about the Star of David in all the public places in Israel? Let the fundamentalists have their holidays and waste their money at WalMart. My greatest fear is that folks like yourself will poke and provoke them so much that they will make my life miserable by trying to breakdown the separation of church and state.

    Well, hopefully I've given you something to think about.

    Happy Holidays.

    Posted by Dave on December 24, 2008 at 11:23 am | permalink | Reply

    • What stores are open on Christmas? All I saw yesterday was Walgreens, the shortened hours of the grocery store, movie theatres, and asian restaurants? My day was obviously planned for me.

      Posted by Working9to5 on December 26, 2008 at 10:18 am | permalink |

  • Israel doesn't have any pretense of having separation between Church and State like we do.

    Why should the President of the US have a formal Christmas/Chanukah party in the White House? What he wants to do for his family in the residential wing, is of course, his prerogative. But I would vote to skip the religious pomp and circumstance sponsored by the federal government.

    Posted by israel on December 24, 2008 at 1:31 pm | permalink | Reply

• @andy-

  Why not make your day productive instead of tending towards negativity? I'm sure that a soup kitchen could use your help. I don't see how anybody is "dragged through Christmas". It's a day off – you guys who hate Christmas time off should start complaining about people having Saturday and Sunday off too.

  And that happens every week.

  Posted by TA on December 24, 2008 at 10:35 am | permalink | Reply

  • To be fair I guess my problem is not so much that there is nothing to do, I'll probably read a book and really enjoy that.

    The problem is that you have an immense amount of time devoted to a a holiday I don't observe. My office puts a lot of effort and money into something I am not a part of, but when it comes to any holiday I celebrate it costs me a vacation day.

    Posted by andy on December 24, 2008 at 10:47 am | permalink | Reply

    • People spend immense amounts of time on a number of things that different people see as "pointless" or that they don't participate in.

      And Christmas doesn't "cost you a vacation day" – it's a holiday. Just like Saturday and Sunday don't cost you a vacation day.

      Posted by TA on December 24, 2008 at 11:00 am | permalink |

• I love the idea of floating paid holidays. It's great. However, I don't think we can deny the fact that, as many people have already mentioned, it often doesn't make good business sense to keep some workplaces open on Christmas.

  There are always some people, Christian or not, who will work on Christmas, but sometimes not enough.

  It would be great if you could come up with some constructive proposals regarding what people can do to encourage their employers to institute floating holidays, or allow employees to work from home on holidays when the office is closed.

  Posted by Cassandra on December 24, 2008 at 10:36 am | permalink | Reply

• I am not a Christian, nor am I Jewish. I constantly hear, "Well Christmas is really an American holiday…" Guess what??? Christians all across the globe celebrate the holiday. It is NOT an American holiday. It is a Christian holiday. And you're right P… only Christians are the people who say that. As a Pagan, I don't tell Christians they should celebrate Winter Solstice with me. I understand it isn't a part of their religion. (Well, if we get into religious history here…. the two holidays coincide for a few reasons, but that's not my point here.)

  I love it when people say that they think Christmas is more about spending time with their families. Ok, so why do you have to go hundreds or thousands of dollars in credit card debt buying useless junk to spend time with your family? I spend time with my mother and sister every week. I don't need a holiday to tell me to do that.

  I can't stand it when cashiers at the store say "Merry Christmas." Sometimes I respond with, "Thanks, but I don't celebrate it." Other times, I just leave it be since I'm annoyed. A friend of mine finally put two and two together this week. I've known her for 5 years and the entire time, she knew I wasn't Christian. She asked me earlier this week if I was ready for Christmas, to which I responded that I don't have anything to get ready for since I don't celebrate it. She about flipped when she figured out I was serious that I don't believe in her God or Jesus as a savior. It's apparently a huge issue for her and it all came to light earlier this week.

  I'm fine with having the day off work. Tonight, I plan to rent a bunch of $1 movies and veg on the couch. But what sucks is that I am out of cat food and the grocery stores will be packed tonight. I haven't been able to go to Target to get neccessities in over a month because of all the crazies. Tomorrow (Christmas Day) I would love to go out for breakfast since I have the day off work, but nothing will be open. While everyone is needlessly putting themselves under a ton of emotional stress this time of year, I will be enjoying a bottle of wine and maybe some pizza – that is, if I am brave enough to battle the crowds tonight.

  Posted by Heather on December 24, 2008 at 10:37 am | permalink | Reply

• Right on reposting on a topic you're passionate about despite the reaction you know is coming- way to stick to your guns.

  Posted by Avi Kaplan on December 24, 2008 at 10:37 am | permalink | Reply

• Did I just write that? Whew.

  Posted by Alan Wilensky on December 24, 2008 at 10:37 am | permalink | Reply

• I agree with you. Christmas is DEFINITELY a Christian holiday – it bothers me when people say it is secular and American. July 4th, for example, is a completely non-religious holiday, whereas Christmas is about the birth of Jesus. I don't mind having the day off of work – it is nice to have some time off where I don't need to be running to see family; however, I hate when companies try to pass this off as "holiday" time.

  Posted by Amanda on December 24, 2008 at 10:40 am | permalink | Reply

  • Amanda, can't it be both? Of course there is a religious aspect to Christmas – for Christians it's about the birth of their saviour. However, it undeniable that it's also a culturally significant holiday quite apart from its religious context. I'm sorry but Christians do NOT have a monopoly on this holiday!

    Many of the traditions we associate with Christmas have nothing to do with the holiday's religious side. In some cases the roots of the holiday go much deeper to the midwinter festival of Pagan times, but hundreds of years of cultural layering have made them part of the festival we know as Christmas. Do you honestly believe that non-Christians should not celebrate the secular aspects of Christmas if they choose to? That would make many people I know who happen to be atheist, agnostic, Buddhist or Jewish very sad indeed. I think Christmas is a time of tolerance and good will so people should celebrate it however they want to, including not at all (in Penelope's case) or in a secular way (in the case of many non-Christians who observe the holiday).

    I think offices and public schools should avoid the religious side of the holiday (Nativity scenes for example) but I don't really see why serving a mince pie or putting up a decorated pine tree has anything to do with religion – these are purely cultural traditions and entirely harmless and inoffensive. Our society needs more celebrations and festivals not less.

    In regards to whether offices should be open on Christmas Day or allow employees to work. As others have commented, it would not be cost-effective for businesses to open if a majority of their employees, suppliers and clients are not there. Also, there is the problem of choice – if you give people the choice to work on Christmas Day, you risk undermining their choice not to. This is what has happened in the case of Sunday opening at retailers for example.

    Posted by Caitlin on December 24, 2008 at 11:07 am | permalink | Reply

    • Why don't people show tolerance and good will all year long? Why just Christmas?

      Posted by Ronald Mexico on December 24, 2008 at 11:50 am | permalink |

    • I don't get some of you people. Have you looked up the definition of Christmas on Wikipedia? This holiday clearly has it's roots in the religious notion of the birth of Christ! Christ's Mass = Christmas.

      Posted by Ronald Mexico on December 24, 2008 at 11:55 am | permalink |

• I want to say I'm a christian and I celebrate christmas with my family, but I totally agree with the purpose of this rant. If nothing else, it's about being sensitive to the cultural diversity of this country.

  Posted by Scott on December 24, 2008 at 10:40 am | permalink | Reply

• I'm a Christian and I'll be honest – I would much rather have floating holidays to use for Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday than Christmas day. It's nice to have the day off – my mother is usually grateful because it means she'll see my family – but in the grand scheme of things, if the day is that important to me, I'll make arrangements to not be working.

  In our house, we celebrate Christmas through Advent. Christmas Day is really just another day.

  Posted by Dorie Morgan on December 24, 2008 at 10:42 am | permalink | Reply

• I also didn’t feel like I could choose one of the poll choices. If there was one, I’d choose something like “I don’t care one way or the other but enjoy having time off whenever it comes”. I just think it makes sense from a staffing point of view, as was already mentioned. My office will also be closed on the 26th for the same reason. So many people would want to at least make it a long weekend so it’s better just to shut down and save on heating the building, etc.

  I am Jewish but my husband was raised Christian and has fond memories of Christmas. As a result, we celebrate it in a secular way out of respect for his traditions (even though he plans to eventually convert to Judaism). I personally don’t feel that strongly about religion but am very interested in preserving/embracing cultural traditions (his and mine). I think it’s fun and a learning experience.

  However, I don’t begrudge you your opinion. I can totally see your point of view. It’s good to stir up some talk about this stuff and I think it’s sad how mean some of the comments are. If the point of Christmas is to be kinder than usual, isn’t it the highest form of that spirit to extend it to those who may disagree with you?

  Happy Holidays!

  Posted by Healthy Amelia on December 24, 2008 at 10:43 am | permalink | Reply

• >>And this is, of course, the root of the problem. Christmas is totally Christian and totally religious and the Christians love to debate this point and the Jews think it is absolutely not debatable.

  I was one of the people who debated last year whether Christmas was Christian and religious. I'm not going to get involved in that debate again, at least not with you, as it's clear that you think there is only one right answer on this point, when there's not.

  However, I am NOT a Christian and I wish you wouldn't keep implying that I am (or that others like me are).

  >>over the years I have found that for the most part, Christians comment publicly, and Jews send private emails to me.

  What is the basis of this comment? Last year a lot of people commented publicly and didn't declare their religion. You seems to assume that everyone who's not Jewish is automatically a Christian (unless of course they declare themselves as a Muslim or whatever). This assumption is highly offensive.

  Likewise there are comments above from people who say they are NOT Christian but they celebrate Christmas. Why do you find that so difficult to believe.

  No one is forcing you to celebrate Christmas but I wish you would quit insulting the many non-Christians who do.

  Posted by Caitlin on December 24, 2008 at 10:43 am | permalink | Reply

• Heather, right on, gal, right on. I'm out of cat food too!

  Righteous Pagan lady can't get an elbow into a Target store because of the mass hysteria. Totally get it.

  Coffee shops closed xmas day. WTF ???? They are like emergency rooms and public utilities!!!

  I'm putting Gals like Heather on my OK GO PAGANS LIST!

  Maybe I can find a nice Pagan gal to synthesize the best of my lapped Jewish orthodoxy and the best of the Pagan stuff and find that one breakfast joint run by pagans and Jews that is open on Xmas day.

  What a world, what a gal that would be. All happily ever after and an omelet.

  Posted by Alan Wilensky on December 24, 2008 at 10:45 am | permalink | Reply

• It's difficult to compare Christianity and Judaism simply because one by definition can include culture and one, theoretically, should not (because it should theoretically be any self-selecting individual who views Jesus as king).
  For it to be a truly Christian holiday, every individual celebrating it should be showing up to church or mass, praying in celebration of Christ's birth, etc.

  This is not my experience. Christmas is far more of a cultural phenomenon in North America than it is a religious holiday. It mostly consists of involving traditions that are entirely irrelevant to the celebration of Christ's birth. Most people are not showing up to any religious ceremonies or engaging in any spiritually religious practices.

  Posted by Alison on December 24, 2008 at 10:48 am | permalink | Reply

• Christmas, as practiced by most Americans, is not a Christian holiday. Yes, I've read your past posts on the topic where you address this, but you are wrong. I'm not a Christian, I'm an atheist, but I feel comfortable saying this. Just about the ONLY thing Christian about the day is the name. From the date of celebration (originally chosen to coincide with the winter solstice, and not established until about 350 AD) to gift giving (from the Roman Saturnalia) to pine trees with lights (from the Roman New Year) to the Yule log (from pagan Germanic feasts) to mistletoe (from ancient Greek mythology) to the Nast/Coca-Cola Santa Claus, there is almost nothing Christian about this day.

  Posted by cmadler on December 24, 2008 at 10:52 am | permalink | Reply

  • Thank you cmadler for explaining origins of the holiday.

    I'm a Christian. I freely admit that. But there is nothing Christian about this holiday, in my opinion. The Catholic church created this holiday to appease the many people they were trying to convert by renaming something they were already celebrating to make it acceptable to the church.

    I can find no Christian basis for Santa Claus, a Christmas tree, or lights on a house. Even as a Christian, I celebrate the holiday in purely secular way. Jesus is not the reason for the season, in my book.

    If you think there is anything truly Christian about this day, you are deluding yourself. Or, as in the case of most conservative Christians, still trying to justify something that was never designed to be a religious holiday.

    Penelope,
    I'm all about diversity. If you want tolerance, be open about what you believe. Tell me about your religion. There's almost nothing I'd NOT like to know about.

    I love the idea of floating holidays. If there is one day being taken more than any other, then it makes perfect sense for a business to close for economic reasons. However, I also agree that there is no reason for everyone to be discussing the purpose of the day off at work.

    Change never happens unless someone suggests a better way of doing things, along with a viable way of making it happen.

    Posted by Reina Hosier on December 24, 2008 at 3:39 pm | permalink | Reply

• I see now – it's the me-first attitude that's infected so many.

  Target is closed – it's an inconvenience to ME.

  Christmas is Christian – it offends ME.

  I don't like the music.

  I don't like the crowds.

  I don't like that I'm forced to take the day off. (Hello – you're being paid – you can still work. Do all of you only work 40 hours a week??)

  People greet me with "Merry Christmas" and a smile – that offends me.

  Posted by TA on December 24, 2008 at 10:54 am | permalink | Reply

  • It is the me-first idea. No one complains if it doesn't bother them.

    A friend of mine lives in her family home where she grew up. It is in a quite little part of the world, just off the beaten track. 3 years ago the warehouse down the street became a nightclub. Now she has nowhere to park if she comes home after 10pm, drunk people screaming as they leave the nightclub each night, loud music coming from cars at 2am, and often a lot of trash to clean up. Thousands love that nightclub. She hates it. They think she is evil for calling the cops every night, for video taping drunks getting into cars, for protesting each moth at city hall to try and get the nightclub shut down.

    See, it is all about her.

    Posted by KenGirard on December 24, 2008 at 11:22 am | permalink | Reply

• I'm a recovering Catholic, but I have no problem "celebrating" Christmas by taking time off from work and giving gifts to my friends and family. I get so few days off as it is, I'm not volunteering to work any more than I have to.

  Personally, I would prefer people say Happy Holidays, as it is all-inclusive but I don't believe that saying Merry Christmas is imposing someone's religious beliefs on me. If someone greets me by saying Hola, I don't assume that they insist that I learn & speak Spanish for the rest of my life. If someone thanks me saying merci, they're not imposing their French culture on me. I recognize that it is just the way that those people communicate, just as Christmas wishes are merely the way Christians observe their holiday. I also know that some religions & cultures do intend to impose their beliefs on me, but how I choose to receive the message is more important than how it is sent. I don't have control over their intent, but I can control my reaction.

  Bottom line, I respect your right to "criticize" Christmas, but know that it comes with my right (if I so choose) to criticize Judaism/Israel as well.

  Posted by tinyhands on December 24, 2008 at 10:55 am | permalink | Reply

  • I don't think anyone really wants to criticize Christmas. I am glad people enjoy it.

    The criticism is at the office. A place that claims to be neutral and once a year is very biased in favor of a particular religion.

    Posted by andy on December 24, 2008 at 10:58 am | permalink | Reply

    • I agree. Have your celebrations with your friends/family in private settings like home/religious gathering places/whatever. Just don't bring it to work.

      Posted by Glad Doggett on December 24, 2008 at 1:21 pm | permalink |

• Everybody remember, it's Penelope's blog, and as such she can write about whatever she wants:

  "One, single, Jewish blogger does not impact the Christmas spirit."

  No it doesn't, and if it does, your spirit and faith are fragile. Take it from this Christmas celebrating Christian, this was a good post. You engaged people and got them talking. Keep it up!

  Posted by Frank B on December 24, 2008 at 10:55 am | permalink | Reply

  • Frank, I fail to find where anybody has said that Penelope can't write what she wants.

    Posted by TA on December 24, 2008 at 11:02 am | permalink | Reply

    • I didn't single anyone out "TA". Feeling guilty?

      Posted by Frank B on December 24, 2008 at 11:21 am | permalink |

• I don't celebrate Christmas, but I am certainly not going to complain about a PAID vacation day when in this country we have fewer paid vacation days than many other countries. My husband's company decided to close the week between Christmas and New Years to save money, and force employees to use vacation days or take these days unpaid. Believe me, I am not celebrating their spirit of diversity right now.

  And don't be naive to think that if Christmas was not an automatic paid Holiday that companies would give us MORE vacation days to use to cover it. Everyone would still have their 10-15-or 20 days/year and have to find a way to deal with it.

  Happy Holidays.

  Posted by Kristen on December 24, 2008 at 10:57 am | permalink | Reply

• You're right in so many of your complaints about Christmas. But, I think you miss the essence…

  The human urge to celebrate at the winter solstice predates written history, just as summer solstice, vernal equinox, and autumnal equinox celebrations go way, way, way back. Humanity also has linked these seasonal cycles to religious beliefs, though the urge to celebrate goes deeper, I think, to seasonality surrounding food, survival, hunting, and so on. Virtually (maybe literally) every culture has some sort of important celebration near the winter solstice, and likewise, so do most religions.

  Figure out a way for it to fit your belief system, 'cuz you're missing an important deep echo of your humanity if you deny these seasonal celebrations.

  Posted by Ken H on December 24, 2008 at 11:05 am | permalink | Reply

  • This is very interesting, Ken. I'd agree, actually. I am not Christian (used to celebrate Yule), but I feel an urge to spend time with family, to look inward, and to give of myself during these times. I'd agree that it has to do with seasonal effects of the solstice and growing cycle.

    It just seems "right" to do something connected to other people at this time. That hails from something more than religion, something more than tradition even.

    Posted by Lane on December 24, 2008 at 12:48 pm | permalink | Reply

• I'm Jewish. The way I've always thought of it is that the federal government has chosen to make Christmas one of the federal holidays (defined as days that banks, post offices, and the government close on), so it's reasonable for companies to close that day just like they close on other federal holidays.

  (But I'm making a distinction between that and the idea that we're a "Christian country," which we're not.)

  But if I had an employee who wanted to work on Christmas in exchange for getting an extra holiday day to take another time, I'd be fine with that, assuming they had a job that permitted them to work when no one else was around (or from home) and to work unsupervised.

  Posted by Ask a Manager on December 24, 2008 at 11:07 am | permalink | Reply

• Christmas was declared a Federal Holiday in America on June 26, 1870 under the government headed by President Ulysses S. Grant during the period of reconstruction following the American Civil War.

  Christmas IS an American Federal Holiday however people in many other countries celebrate it as well.

  Posted by Steve on December 24, 2008 at 11:09 am | permalink | Reply

• I understand your point as someone in "Corporate" America, but you should also consider the point from the perspective of employees who do not work a 9-5, M-F work week, and, Christian, Jewish, or anything else, actually enjoy the fact that much of the service sector is actually closed for the one rare day of the year. If my company stayed open on Christmas, we would not have the option of taking the day off, because there simply would not be enough people to work and run the place. As for keeping offices open, think about the staff that runs the place, such as security and janitorial services, who would not be ABLE to take the day off. Being closed on Christmas is not just a Christian thing, but a rare occasion that families who don't have the pleasure of a corporate job almost ALL get the day off at the same time. Trust me, the rest of the year, that is very disappointingly rare. And trust me, if Corporate America stays open, there is little to know chance that the service sector would be able to close. And then you took away the Christmas day off that so many people value just because it bugs some people that they can't work.

  Personally, I think we should do like the Russians and celebrate with new New Years traditions of trees and lights and presents for everyone.

  Posted by Nichole on December 24, 2008 at 11:10 am | permalink | Reply

• Given that celebrating Christmas is the vast majority of their religious observance for the majority of American "Christians," and that many avowed non-Christians (the irreligious as well as Jews and Buddhists, etc) observe Christmas, I think you can make a reasonable case that it is as much, if not more, a civil holiday in American as a religious one.

  As you kind of alluded to above, you should be glad you're in a country with such a strong Christian-ish culture. There are a lot worse things in this world than Jews having to take a day off in December.

  But I'm curious how you think most companies can operate with 90% of their staff off? Hospitals and things like that can let all their office staff off, but they have to keep a good number of their clinical staff to continue to function on Christmas or even the day after.

  If you want to work on Christmas, by all means do so, but if this is the best example of religious oppression you've got, you need to let it go.

  Posted by Chris on December 24, 2008 at 11:11 am | permalink | Reply

• Thank you Thank you THANK YOU. I am neither Christian or Jewish, but I completely agree that Christmas is force fed at the work place. My cubicle should be one place where I should not be forced to endure it.

  Penelope, you are saying publically what many non-Christians think privately. I feel people should limit their religous/holiday celebrations to their homes and places of worship.

  Imagine a work place where EVERY religiious celebration were given equal air time. I don't think most CEOs or employees would embrace it — much less, tolerate it. Yet we are all expected to embrace Christmas with a smile and a cheer.

  Posted by Glad Doggett on December 24, 2008 at 11:14 am | permalink | Reply

  • Maybe because so many businesses make a lot of money off of Christmas? I'm sure business would celebrate Kwanzaa if it generated the billions of dollars that Christmas does.

    Posted by TA on December 24, 2008 at 11:25 am | permalink | Reply

• Maybe the reason these annual posts generate so many comments is that you are so overtly negative! I too like the idea of floating holidays, being able to take the time you need to practice your own religion. But unless this concept is adapted worldwide, we will never be able to have a productive work day on Christmas. It's a federal holiday, world markets are closed, etc.
  I work in an office where I am both the newest employee and the only one who doesn't celebrate Christmas. Yes, we have a tree – and this year, a menorah too. Yes, we do Secret Santa – this year, called holiday grab bag. Baby steps, Penelope, baby steps. And try to accent the positive next year.
  P.S. Poll choices are terrible

  Posted by prklypr on December 24, 2008 at 11:19 am | permalink | Reply

• I totally agree that Christmas is a religious holiday. Just the fact that it is a National holiday in America destroys your argument that America is not a Christian nation. Also, if America is not a Christian nation, why is Barack Obama taking the oath of office using a Bible?

  I realize that America may not appear to be a Christian nation because many do not live according to the Bible, but this nation was obviously founded on Christian principles.

  Posted by Mr. Reed on December 24, 2008 at 11:20 am | permalink | Reply

• I think I may have mentioned this last year, but I have a most unusual story to tell as an American Christian, working for a large company run by Israelis. I am in the minority here—and believe me, I feel it every day. The way they talk Hebrew in front of us when they don't want us to hear what they say; the way there is absolutely NO holiday slow down. None. The way during the high holy days in September and October, I'm one of the few people in the office actually working. One of my jewish employees gave me a bunch of really lovely cookies—in a Happy Hanukah bag. They work on Sundays in Israel, so when I come into the office on Monday, i'm already 2 days behind. The world in this company, revolves around the Jewish calendar. That said, they hung some lovely, lovely lights in the lobby the last few years. They took us all to a lovely restaurant which was decorated for Christmas. They're giving us in the US both Christmas and the day after Christmas off for a long weekend.

  Do I sometimes feel sad and alone that I have to censor my "Merry Christmases" all the time and work so hard to be"respectful"? Yes. But Am I offended, Penelope?? No, I'm not. The world is full enough of hatred and intolerance. So many people died because of intolerance and hatred of "other" religions. I don't buy into that—my religion taught me that everyone is equal in God's eyes, and as long as the people are honest, pay me fairly for my labor, and treat me with respect, I do not care what their religion is. I've got too many other things to worry about rather than make something up to be offended at.

  Posted by Someone on December 24, 2008 at 11:23 am | permalink | Reply

• First of all, I think the idea of floating holidays makes wonderful sense.

  That being said, in one of your previous posts on this subject, you stated:
  "The majority of the country is not New York and Los Angeles"…

  And my question is, why does those areas feel it is okay to have THEIR views, but the rest of the country is not allowed to thier own???

  As to the insanity around secular christmas (the musak, shopping etc) I find it offensive too..I always finish my shopping by Dec 1 so I can avoid it. If I have to be out in it, I try extra hard to be nice to the retail people who have to put up with it.

  I think many of the things you mentioned are problems with america, that are simply amplified at christmas, or for that matter during summer vacation time when everyone is vacationing at the same time because its a holiday or their kids are out of school (i.e. Memorial Day and Labor Day)…

  Perhaps we ought to focus on the character of the american people, and the other issues will take care of themselves…

  Posted by rhonda on December 24, 2008 at 11:37 am | permalink | Reply

• How are you dealing with it at your workplace Penelope? Are you allowing just so many days off to use as they like or is everyone gone due to the holiday except you?

  Posted by Lance Haun on December 24, 2008 at 11:38 am | permalink | Reply

  • Hey, Lance. Thanks for asking. Since Brazen Careerist is a startup (eight people), we almost never stop working. And we each feel a pretty huge responsibility to the company. So there are no official holidays. We all just get our work done when it needs to be done and we take time for not-work stuff when we need to do that.

    I spent a lot of years in corporate America before I started my own companies. And I see how this doesn't work for most large companies. Which is why I think we need a discussion about what does work.

    And, Lance, as a human resource blogger, why not weigh in on alternatives? I bet you have some good ideas.

    Penelope

    Posted by Penelope Trunk on December 24, 2008 at 12:00 pm | permalink | Reply

    • I wrote about it a little bit last year and referenced your post

      http://www.yourhrguy.com/2007/11/19/your-hr-guy-hates-holidays/

      I think the solution is a fairly simple one in theory but difficult logistically for certain sized companies or certain industries. It is probably worth a post though.

      Posted by Lance Haun on December 24, 2008 at 1:26 pm | permalink |

• So P- what are you potential solutions to this grave injustice you have handed to you every year? How have you handled Holidays in your company? Isn't religion one of thhe things that intersects work and life?

  I get it, you hate Christmas, but what is the solution? Have no Federal Holiday, ditch the traditions of most so that some aren't offended. There is more to to consider than just Big Business. Why would my company of 30 people remain open if 29 were to use their floating Holiday? (oh and the 30th person would use her's too- as she married a Christian and they celebrate both religions)

  And I am offended by the people who seem to feel so inconvenienced by having a day off when there aren't any stores open. You can't find anything else to do but go to Target? Is there really a rule that says you are not allowed to get together with your friends and family on Christmas day- even if its not your religion's holiday? You can't do anything else?

  And furthermore, if someone states that they are not a christian then they aren't. You seem to lump anyone who is not a Jew or a Muslim into the category of Christian. It's funny, many people have no religion and they are doing just fine.

  Posted by Melissa on December 24, 2008 at 12:01 pm | permalink | Reply

• The quality of your posts went down in general lately. Here's a good-willed comment: In all your posts you want to be authentic. All I see is a woman, who seems overemotional and out-of control.

  Posted by Daniel on December 24, 2008 at 12:03 pm | permalink | Reply

  • I'm so tired of having a strong opinion = overemotional & out of control. Especially for women.

    Posted by Lane on December 24, 2008 at 12:51 pm | permalink | Reply

  • What do you say to people who get vehement about the fact that Christmas is a Christian holiday? The number of people who have asked me to "keep the Christ in Christmas?" Those who have commented here and said, "Get over it America is a Christian nation?"

    Posted by Lane on December 24, 2008 at 12:52 pm | permalink | Reply

• What I hate most about Christmas at the office is the obligation to bake something, or swap something, or otherwise engage in things that waste time. What I do enjoy are charitable projects and time off. I agree that giving time off from work in a more progressive, non holiday oriented manner is the way to go.

  To all the people who shit on Penelope for ranting about Christmas, stop commenting on it. By commenting on how Penelope should be more positive and how you're sick of her rants, and generally shitting all over her, you, my friends, are being negative. Why don't we all focus on her most important point:

  "Please consider the idea that progressive companies come up with good ways to accommodate many religions. How about if we discuss possible solutions?"

  Finding viable solutions to paid time off that works for everyone and has less to do with religion and more to do with being able to achieve work-life balance (if you want that) is a great idea.

  What a nice place the world would be if people could respect other people's opinions, rather than tearing them down. We should all try to be more constructive.

  Posted by Erin on December 24, 2008 at 12:03 pm | permalink | Reply

• As a cultural Jew and a religious atheist, I'm all for scheduled holidays, even ones that commemorate stuff I don't believe in. Here's why: when you close big offices, like government buildings, banks, etc., you save lots of energy. And, no one is commuting that day. You don't get those savings or economies of scale by giving individual believers a few days off to use as they wish. And frankly, the material benefits of shutting stuff down every so often are worth indulging a little bit of religiosity and sentimentalism.

  In England, they call these "bank holidays" – just random days off when everything is closed. Here, because the majority of Americans cling to God and guns :-) we've got Christmas as a general furlough day. Stay home and get work done if you want.

  Posted by Rob Salkowitz on December 24, 2008 at 12:05 pm | permalink | Reply

• I agree that there is too much emphasis on Christmas, BUT… I see it is a general winding down End of the Year thing. People are closing out the year. Work is winding down. I think it's just as much about New Year's as it is about Christmas, in terms of office closings, etc.

  Posted by Susan on December 24, 2008 at 12:16 pm | permalink | Reply

• Penelope,

  One of the things I love about you is that despite being brilliant and logical and pragmatic, you are not above the occasional human moment.

  Now this article from the woman who said that reporting sexual harassment will ruin your career so justice must bow to personal achievement.

  Sexual equality and justice is OK to sacrifice on the altar of pragmatism, but not Christmas?

  I will be pondering this in the days ahead.

  Please have an enjoyable week celebrating or not celebrating whatever you deem appropriate and in the manner you prefer. Please do not take this to imply you should celebrate anything or that you need my permission to celebrate or not celebrate anything or that I am trying, in any way, to burden you with any cultural or religious expectations. Just feel the happy thoughts I am sending you. If you want to.

  Posted by david rees on December 24, 2008 at 12:16 pm | permalink | Reply

• Penelope:

  Perhaps Americans should fight for more paid days off rather than a soul destroying 2-week/ 10 days annually. Then you can allocate your own holidays to Hanukkah/ Eid/ Diwali/ Christmas and this debate of a 'wasted day off' can end. As far as I know, most non-Christians find themselves unable to work in the few days before Christmas because their Christian clients are off shopping for gifts in extended lunch hour, so why pretend?

  As things stand, many British companies allocate 2-3 days of everyone's annual 20-day (minimum; some senior execs get up to 35 days off) to the period from Christmas to New Year, and that way they save operating costs of keeping offices open and everyone gets to enjoy a short winter break with their families and friends.

  As far as I know, nobody on their death bed ever said: I wish I had spent more holidays working!

  PS: In America, where Thanksgiving is the main holiday, Christmas may not be Christian; in Britain and Europe, it most certainly is. Non-Christians exchange presents with Christian friends and can chill without needing to cook turkeys etc. For cooking delicacies from latke to goat biryani to rasmalai, we have our own Hanukkah, Eid, Diwali etc.

  Posted by Shefaly on December 24, 2008 at 12:26 pm | permalink | Reply

• I'm a non-Jew who celebrates Christmas who works at a Synagogue. I used to work as an HR consultant in start-ups.

  Thought the results are flipped, the attitude from the organizations is the same: These are the company holidays, tough noogies, enjoy your day(s) off.

  Here's the thing: Everything about people management is about making exceptions and adapting to your people, no matter what SHRM says.

  When organizations don't give people the flexibility to be adults and choose when and how to spend their time off, the only message that they get is "You don't matter."

  Posted by Katherine on December 24, 2008 at 12:29 pm | permalink | Reply

• I totally appreciate your "rant." I'm pretty unreligious, believe in some sort of energy – spirit, but probably more in line with Native American beliefs or Buddhism. I remember as a kid telling my parents it wasn't fair that Jewish people and others who didn't celebrate Christmas, weren't able to go shopping or out to dinner on that day. The assured me that Rite-Aid (thrifty drugs back then) was open if they really needed something, but agreed that it was unfair to them to close down an entire nation for one religion's holiday.

  When I actually worked in an office (thankfully self employed for several years now), productivity came to a total standstill for weeks before Christmas, and the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, was the worst. I love the idea of a floating holiday to companies that can reasonably accommodate that. But if the majority of employees want to have Christmas off, it may be impractical to have one or two people in the facility on that day. Perhaps the legal holidays should be given to all,and companies can give one floating holiday during the year to use as you want.

  Posted by diana on December 24, 2008 at 12:29 pm | permalink | Reply

• The first two links lead to the same article. I wanted to read the second link…

  Posted by Fix the Links on December 24, 2008 at 12:33 pm | permalink | Reply

  • Thanks for telling me. I fixed it.
    –Penelope

    Posted by Penelope Trunk on December 24, 2008 at 4:44 pm | permalink | Reply

• I wish there were a solution to the needing-to-take-floating-holidays problem–but I'm grateful that most places are closed on Christmas. Even if some offices chose to give their employees the option to work for pay, I'm not convinced much work would be done. As Kermit-as-Bob-Cratchit says in A Muppet Christmas Carol, "There'll be no-one to do business with!" Maybe the solution should be that non-Christian holidays become national holidays as well. I'd love to learn more about, say, Yom Kippur if there were a way for gentiles like me to honor it without being sacrilegious.

  One other thing: please don't be offended if someone wishes you a Merry Christmas because they used an exclusive term. The person just called a blessing down on your life. Just smile, wish them happy holidays, and enjoy the general good-will people at least try to feel this time of year.

  Posted by Lisa on December 24, 2008 at 12:39 pm | permalink | Reply

• @ Frank-

  No, not feeling guilty at all. And I didn't say you singled anybody out – I simply stated that I failed to see where anybody said Penelope couldn't write what she wants.

  Of course she can write what she wants. Some of us suggested she could be more constructive with her writing instead of destructive. That's called a critique. If we had suggested she not write at all, you'd have a point. But we didn't, so I fail to see your point.

  Merry Christmas.

  Posted by TA on December 24, 2008 at 12:44 pm | permalink | Reply

  • Hey TA.

    I simply said "Everybody remember, it's Penelope's blog, and as such she can write about whatever she wants" and followed that with her comment "One, single, Jewish blogger does not impact the Christmas spirit." The end. It was a great line from her post. Your critique was fine, and I'm only responding to you because you obviously felt some measure of guilt, otherwise you wouldn't have responded.

    We can continue this or end it in the Christmas spirit. Me I'm done. I will say I whole heartedly agree with your earlier comment "I don't like the crowds." I can't stand them either.

    Merry Christmas to you and yours.

    Posted by Frank B on December 24, 2008 at 1:01 pm | permalink | Reply

• You could do what my company did, and furlough all employees for a span that includes both holidays!

  Posted by Joshua on December 24, 2008 at 12:45 pm | permalink | Reply

• I like the floating holidays idea best. Mostly because it would allow me to randomly wander off someplace new every year. Happy Punxsutawney Phil Day!

  Posted by sabrina on December 24, 2008 at 1:05 pm | permalink | Reply

• Thank you for this post, seriously. Not enough people speak up about this issue, and when we do, people tell us to quit whining. And it goes far beyond just Christians and Jews, which are the groups you emphasize in your post.

  And to the person above who said that you work with lots of people from India who don't complain about Christmas: it's a known fact that people who are in the minority are less likely to voice their opinion. google spiral of silence if you don't know what I mean.

  I hope, in the future, more companies start thinking about different ways to handle this, and that more people start speaking up about it.

  Great post!

  Posted by Nisha on December 24, 2008 at 1:09 pm | permalink | Reply

• Please don't tell me I'm the only one who grew up with the "Preachers need to quit trying to put religion into Christmas!" relatives sniping at the Christian relatives and vice versa….

  Posted by JenK on December 24, 2008 at 1:20 pm | permalink | Reply

• I'll tell you what I hate about Christmas at my "office" (read: restaurant). I hate my coworker that says "Merry Christmas" to guests as they leave. I told her we should probably say "Happy Holidays" so we don't offend anyone, and she said "well I didn't get that memo, and I'm saying Merry Christmas".

  Barf.

  I hate that we're tuned in to Sirius' Christmas channel from the day after Thanksgiving on. I can only take so much of the carols. And the volume at which we project said music through the restaurant is at borderline obscene levels. Add to that my said coworker above LOVES to sing at the top of her lungs while making martinis for the regulars. It's annoying.

  I hate going to the mall the day after Halloween and seeing the mall employees putting up Christmas stuff. We haven't even gotten through Thanksgiving, and they have Christmas music playing. Please.

  More over, I hate the guilt that I feel, this year in particular, because I can't afford to buy presents for people. Sorry, but I'd rather have a roof over my head and the electric paid. I'm a "starving" college student, I have maxed out all of my cards, I am living night to night on tips alone – I don't have the money to get the stuff that you won't buy for yourself.

  I applaud you for stirring it up a little – even if people's comments are negative – at least they're inclined to comment, and that speaks highly of the things you have to say, I think.

  Happy Holidays to you, your family and the Brazen family.

  -Sydney

  Posted by Sydney on December 24, 2008 at 1:23 pm | permalink | Reply

• Penelope, I guess you didn't get the memo on tone when dealing with priviliged people. The article focuses on race, but religion is easily applicable. Keep on doing what you're doing Penelope.

  Posted by Mojito Chica on December 24, 2008 at 1:24 pm | permalink | Reply

• Penelope–thanks for having the guts to say what many are afraid to verbalize (or blog-ize–is that a word?) I totally agree with you—Students of Jewish History will know that acknowledging and/or celebrating Christmas as a holiday; secular or religious, is a personal affront to the many generations of Jews who were killed in the name of Jesus.

  I do not mean to say–by any stretch of the imagination–that Jews living today should hold this against Christians living today.

  Also, many of today's companies operate in a global environment (i.e. Greek and Russian orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas later in January as well as many Moslem countries) and it is often beneficial to keep things going 24×7. I worked for a company where we presented a cafeteria menu of holidays (all national, religions and denominations) and employees selected 10 of those days in the beginning of the year. I got the most work done on Christmas, New Year's, Easter and Independence Day!

  Wouldn't it be nice, that in these days of cultural and religious diversity, if we'd open our minds (and hearts) and wish people "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" and not assume that everyone celebrates Christmas.

  Posted by rachel on December 24, 2008 at 1:25 pm | permalink | Reply

• It's a federal holiday.

  Posted by David Chasteen on December 24, 2008 at 1:39 pm | permalink | Reply

• What people are writing about 'Merry Christmas' being offensive to them … This, I do not get. I'm not a believer myself, though my background is clearly Christian, and I've always celebrated Christmas, in my family's own secularised-but-spiced-up-with-handfuls-of-arbitrarily-selected-religiousity kind of way.

  So I'm the kind of person who might wish and be wished a happy Christmas and think nothing of it.

  But the thing is: I'd like a situation in which a Jew might say to me 'Happy Hannukah'; a Muslim 'Happy Ramadan', or whatever. Because isn't it pretty extraordinarily contrary to be *offended* by someone wishing you happiness? Whatever the occasion, I like to think I'd welcome positive wishes, not take offence from them.

  And if I wish someone a merry Christmas, I am expressing the hope that they be happy at this time of year. Just as I'd wish them a happy birthday. It's an excuse to display affection or positive sentiment. And we should take as many of these excuses as are presented to us, not try and shut them down.

  In my opinion, the battle to be fought is *not* in preventing celebrators of Christmas from using 'Happy Christmas' as a greeting, but in encouraging, accepting and normalising other religions' greetings equally.

  Posted by Tom Parnell on December 24, 2008 at 1:40 pm | permalink | Reply

  • Mr. Parnell,

    Thanks – that was well said.

    Posted by TA on December 24, 2008 at 3:40 pm | permalink | Reply

  • Amen to that brother! Why not wish people well in whatever form strikes us? Love is love.

    Posted by Barb Giamanco on December 24, 2008 at 5:05 pm | permalink | Reply

• Great post as always. I think the tension around this is the unspoken (and perhaps unconcious) idea that Christmas Day is somehow sacrosant. Here is a solution for smart companies: Pull a group together and write a peer-reviewed policy on the year end holidays. The policy should begin with a discussion on how christmas day has been observed as a federal/bank holiday but go on to describe the diversity that now exists in the workplace. If the office needs to be closed for cost-effieciency purposes that should be stated as the reason for the holiday pay. Above all, it should be stated that in order to embrace diversity, the company is moving into a holiday model that respects everyone's traditions and preferences, even the predominant (American) Christian one. Ways to accomplish this would be to give a floating holiday in addition to the Dec 25 one. Or two floating days if the office is going to be closed.

  Posted by sifi on December 24, 2008 at 1:57 pm | permalink | Reply

• I am not offended by "Merry Xmas".

  I am fed up with Gentile culture.

  Repeat it like a mantra for I care. Play the music in the mall until the next poor sap with an AK goes postal because he can't pay the alimony and child support and the gift list.

  G-wd.

  Posted by Alan Wilensky on December 24, 2008 at 2:03 pm | permalink | Reply

• It would be a whole different thing if goy culture was interesting and innovative / mystical / rich. But it's not…it's canned eggnog and getting trampled at wallmart.

  Posted by Alan Wilensky on December 24, 2008 at 2:05 pm | permalink | Reply

• My religion as a child forbade Christmas. Currently my husband and I are agnostics and not Christians at all. Yet, we celebrate Christmas. It's a cultural/secular holiday to me. I like decorations, gifts, feasting, parties, cookies, and time off work. I spent my first 20 years of life being taught the origins of Christmas are pagan and sinful, felling guilty every time I hummed along to Christmas song. I'm so relieved to have grown up and choose participate in only the parts of Christmas I enjoy – and that certainly isn't religion!

  Posted by Sarah on December 24, 2008 at 2:17 pm | permalink | Reply

• This post made my day (that day being "christmas eve"). I am fed up with christmas and everything it's come to stand for. As a non-religious, non-consumeristic person I have no interest in the holiday – either the religious or secular version, and I am offended that everyone tries to shove it down my throat this time of year. It strikes me as incredibly arrogant and narcissistic of people to think that everyone should take part in christmas events, celebrations, gift exchanges and so forth. And when I say "I don't celebrate christmas" people look at me like I'm boiling babies. Listen, people, just because I don't participate in the same cultural activities as you, that doesn't make me somehow evil or mean-spirited.

  I think it's shockingly inappropriate for workplaces to have christmas parties and gift exchanges, and mandated time off for everyone. A truly diverse workplace would give floating holiday time, end of story. And if you want to have a festive winter party, that's fine – just make it the sort of event everyone can enjoy, and lay off the christmas theme. How hard is that for people to understand? NO, we AREN'T "censoring" the holiday, and NO, we AREN'T trying to prevent you from celebrating it in whatever way you choose – AT HOME, where PERSONAL things are best conducted. In an office and in the public sphere, people of all stripes must co-exist, and it behooves us all to do so with respect and understanding.

  Posted by mave on December 24, 2008 at 2:21 pm | permalink | Reply

• Ooops! I meant two floaters if the office is OPEN on the 25th.
  @Alan: I hope you are just being funny! There is no such thing as "goy culture."

  Posted by sifi on December 24, 2008 at 2:21 pm | permalink | Reply

• I am Jewish and it doesn't bother me when people wish me Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Feliz Kwanza, or anything else. It doesn't bother me that the US picked a majority religion's holiday that has incorporate pagan traditions like a Christmas Tree. Someone's holiday was going to be picked and someone was going to be annoyed.

  The only reason that I would consider dropping Christmas as an official holiday is because it would prevent everyone from having to travel during some of the worst weather of the year. Make Labor Day sacred so we get the end of August off.

  Posted by Deadhedge on December 24, 2008 at 2:23 pm | permalink | Reply

• You know, this whole discussion comes across as petty to me. Full disclosure: I'm a Christian and have enjoyed Christmases all my life. I'm perfectly willing to accept that Christmas is a distinctly Christian holiday, and I'm all about respecting diversity and attempting to make accommodations for as many people as possible, particularly within the workplace.

  But come on, you guys. We're OFFENDED now when people say "merry Christmas"? We're offended when they don't? Since when did we get so spoiled, so petty? Since when did we have a right not to be offended?

  "The Holiday Season" is an American tradition – one that began with the Thanksgiving-Christmas-New Year's extravaganza but has since been expanded to include other religious and cultural traditions. I think we'd all be a lot better off it we put aside our silly bickering and tried to view this as a season of inclusion, instead of as one of separation.

  Posted by Lindsey on December 24, 2008 at 2:30 pm | permalink | Reply

• I haven't written a blog comment in ages, but on this topic I couldn't resist Penelope.

  I think a point that is integral to this conversation, which a few commenters have noted, is the larger issue of Christmas being a national holiday, as well as the fact that Christmas is officially celebrated through our government in the form of White House Christmas, etc.

  Companies generally follow the national holiday schedule, and I don't think this issue can be addressed in full without looking at the bigger picture of the "favoring" of Christianity in our nation on a governmental level.

  You say this is not a Christian nation and statistically that may be true, but look at our government and then argue the same–I think it's hard to do. We still swear in court on bibles. Our government gives us Christmas off but not holidays of other nonChristian religions and cultures, etc.

  Perhaps change will come from companies first and eventually lead to some changes in government rather than the other way around. I have no problem with Christmas cheer (I'm not Christian but do celebrate a secular Christmas), nor with the time off, etc. but I do agree that it can be difficult for some when celebrating Christmas seems validated and supported by so many "offical" channels but other holidays may not.

  I also agree with some commenters that this is more than just about Jews and Christians. There is far greater diveristy that just those two groups in this nation but your post does seems to imply that commenters are divided mostly among just those two camps.

  I do agree with those who cite the practicality of closing down for Christmas and also relate to those who may feel left out or feel their traditions get little notice or validation in comparison. I like how our government has tried to be more inclusive recently, celebrating holidays from a variety of traditions, and I think as offices begin to embrace similar practices, the workplace will feel more inclusive as well.

  Those who feel left out can play a part in that by helping to promote new practices in their workplace. For example one office I know celebrate multicultural day, in which empoyees share the foods and traditions of their cultures, and other places I've worked do offer floating holidays for people to use as they wish (although they had Christmas off for everyone due to the practicality of the situation, as there was no work for us at that time since related businesses were all closed as well).

  Those for whom such issues are important may wish to suggest similar alternatives to their workplace and see if they may have any luck in getting them put in place. Over time, I believe such change will occur as best suits the workplace and its employees–so long as people speak up and work for that change.

  Happy holidays to all–whatever and whenever you celebrate.

  Posted by m on December 24, 2008 at 2:39 pm | permalink | Reply

• I am totally and utterly and completely with you. I'm tired of being steamrollered by Christmas. I'm annoyed with not feeling like I want to tell my children the truth about Santa because I don't want them to tell other children. I'm perfectly happy for Christian children to believe in Santa, but it just hurts my children feeling that they're missing out on some special magic reserved for Christians.

  I'm glad you're ranting. Keep it up. We're with you. We'll meet up with you at the movies and the Chinese restaurants tomorrow!

  Posted by Aileen Journey on December 24, 2008 at 3:04 pm | permalink | Reply

• I have to take issue with your poll options. There should be a "None of the above" choice. I don't think it's an American Holiday in any way except as a celebration of consumerism. I don't think you should just shut up and enjoy the day off because that's just insensitive and rude. And I don't think closing the office on Christmas is completely undermining the diversity in the workplace (I think it is a symptom of a lack of diversity, not a cause).

  I think that the company a friend of mine worked for had it right. They were based in the US but had a large number of Indian employees in both the US and India. When hired, everyone was given the choice between Hindu holidays and Christian holidays. I don't see a reason not to offer that option to everyone. Give days based on your religion.

  Posted by Janet on December 24, 2008 at 3:08 pm | permalink | Reply

• I don't necessarily see the problem in employees receiving a federal holiday as a paid vacation day. Change the federal status and then worry about what every individual company does.

  I have always worked at companies that also give floating holidays to everyone, so it's pretty even steven: you use yours to celebrate solstice or Arbor Day, and I can use mine to to celebrate Diwali. Is it a burden to have to actually use your floating holiday on your holiday vs. using it for a bonus mental health day? Do you see Christmas as a forced mental health day for non-observers?

  I do agree that any kind of decoration or gift exchange in an office is not for me. Christmas music aggravates me. However, what about holiday bonuses? How do we feel about those? I like a bonus any time, even if I am not a Christian. Generic "happy holidays" December parties? Free dinner is free dinner.

  Posted by LisaMarie on December 24, 2008 at 3:10 pm | permalink | Reply

• My thoughts are as follows (and that and $2.00 will get you a coffee)
  1) I don't understand anyone taking offense at being wished Merry Christmas. I think all holidays are awesome. I love being told happy Hanukkah and if it weren't so hard for me to spell, I'd wish it to others as well. Just because I don't personally celebrate a holiday doesn't mean that I'm not happy to see others express joy and help educate me on new reasons to celebrate. With the possible exception of fasting and cleaning holidays. Those I really don't have much interest to adopt but that's my personal bias.
  2) I think the real problem you are protesting is that there are not enough public holidays in the US. This I think would be something great to mobilize around. Probably this would be most effectively done without getting people on edge trying to defend a specific holiday (that they are used to getting as a public holiday).
  3) FWIW in my office we also celebrate Diwali since we have a large population of people who initiate the festivities. Some of the office issues are really just about the number of people willing to organize a party.

  So if the topic is specifically Jewish holidays I suggest that more Jews share their holiday traditions with the rest of us (vs. just letting pushy Christians get all the airtime). If the topic is more floating holidays I think that is also a great suggestion.

  - Meg

  Posted by Meg Bear on December 24, 2008 at 3:14 pm | permalink | Reply

  • I agree, we need more public holidays in this country, but we also need to celebrate them. We can't just throw one in just for the heck of it. It needs to mean something :-)

    Posted by Dr. Pepper on December 24, 2008 at 3:47 pm | permalink | Reply

• I am a non-practicing Christian.
  I like the season. I like the day off. I often wish people health, happiness and longevity (we almost never say Merry Christmas where I come from, it's just not a common wish among people-to-people communications – it is on cards though). I like the feeling that people actually care about one another.

  What I don't like is the commercialization, the stupid fake santas, the stupid mass produced greeting cards with no personal touch to them that says "you are not a friend, you are a number in my addressbook", the fake camaraderie that comes out during company parties (if we were all really chummy chum, we should practice this brotherly love all year long), and so on.

  Posted by Dr. Pepper on December 24, 2008 at 3:44 pm | permalink | Reply

• I didn't vote in the poll because I agree with none of the options.

  To me, Christmas is just like any other holiday that I get off from work. I've always treated holidays as just another day, except I don't have to work.

  I agree that giving everyone Christmas off, but requiring the use of floating holidays for non-Christians to take their holidays off is preferential treatment. It makes sense for some companies to close on Christmas because of the lack of business being done that day, but not every industry is the same. I used to work for a copy center that always closed on major holidays. Then they changed their policy to be open every day of the year, because not everyone who used their services observes the same holidays. There was resistance from the workers, but we went along with it. I worked both Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day that first year. We were actually busy both days. And I'd be willing to bet that most of the customers were Christians.

  As for what you, Penelope, should or should not do, I say keep doing what you want to do. If your yearly Christmas at work rants turn off some readers, well, then so be it.

  Posted by monogodo on December 24, 2008 at 3:55 pm | permalink | Reply

• For all of those, Jew, Gentile, and other that Penelope popped the steam valve on:

  Nothing can be done, or will be done. The culture is set, and is set upon its ultimate destruction under the most Christian of Presidents, and his entourage.

  For eight years, we have lived with the man who answered that "jesus", was his hero (1St Presidential Debate of W).

  Well, now we have our payoff for the far Christian rights having the remote control. Decent public healthcare policy – can't afford it, any program you name before TARP, can't afford it.

  Massive uncontrolled blast of YOUR cash to banks that have no plans for the tax dollars given, other than to pay bonuses?? Thank you Jesus, W's hero.

  To all Christendom – thanks for the last 2k years – its been a blast, literally.

  Posted by Alan Wilensky on December 24, 2008 at 3:56 pm | permalink | Reply

• Penelope: For what it's worth, I agree with you totally about Xmas parties at work. This info may put a different spin on it too. I'm an exminister–and I had a great run, but climbed that mountain. Twenty-five years as consultant. Still celebrate Christmas, but largely at church–where it should be celebrated. Your constitutional perspective about the USA is quite correct. Oh yeah, post boomer, member of the so-called silent generation with one motto: NEVER, NEVER,NEVER, NEVER, NEVER RETIRE. It's too much fun out there–especially with my clients and proteges–including fun Millennials.

  Posted by Dan Erwin on December 24, 2008 at 4:28 pm | permalink | Reply

• I am Jewish and I love Christmas.
  I love it because I get all the benefits of the holiday without any of the stress. I do not have to go crazy over relatives' visit, cooking, decorating, buying gifts etc.
  I get to enjoy empty beautifully decorated malls – or empty slopes at ski resorts.
  I just do not understand why do sane people, who are not even practicing Christians would go through all the troubles.
  And why – for a practicing Christian – a dubious date of birth of a baby who later became a Messiah is more important than the date when his nature was actually revealed – Easter.
  When I was younger I enjoyed answering "we do not do Christmas" to Christmas-related inquires, but now I do not care.
  Yes, I'd rather have days off when I choose to, but with kids in school it does not matter that much – they get winter vacation anyway.
  I think it's pretty useless to rally for making Christmas day a non-holiday on a federal level, but at your work place – if one can arrange it with one's own boss – sure, why not.

  Posted by Person Person on December 24, 2008 at 4:57 pm | permalink | Reply

• Happy Holidays to everyone…

  Posted by Holly Collins on December 24, 2008 at 4:57 pm | permalink | Reply

• I have written a response to this post on my personal blog and Penelope has asked me to share the link here. Really, I'm just elaborating at more length on some of the points I've made here and in previous posts. http://www.niltiac.net/2008/12/the-true-meaning-of-christmas-its-not-what-you-think/

  What I would really like to do is to write a more personal post about what Christmas means to me. It will take a bit of time and thought and I don't want to go off half-cocked on it. I'm not sure if I'll get to it this year or not (though technically I suppose we still have 12 more days of Christmas).

  Oh and Alan, I don't think I've ever had canned eggnog in my life.

  Posted by Caitlin on December 24, 2008 at 5:05 pm | permalink | Reply

  • Actually, canned eggnog is better than the carton stuff, and much better mixed with Rum. It's an older creation and not very available these days.

    Posted by Lane on January 5, 2009 at 2:29 pm | permalink | Reply

• I discovered Penelope's post via Twitter – gotta love technology! I thought it was such a great topic that I blogged about it on my own site at http://www.salestoday.wordpress.com The "diversity" topic and dialog is heating up, especially in light of the recent election. If people really want to get behind diversity they have to stop paying lip service to it or agreeing with it when it suits them. Penelope's points are totally right on! Way to go.

  Posted by Barb Giamanco on December 24, 2008 at 5:09 pm | permalink | Reply

• Christmas is "American" like the Fourth of July?????

  Do you live under a rock? Are you aware of the origin of Christmas? The name? "Christ" for Jesus Christ, the father of the religion that is called Christianity, after, you know, the son of God–Christ.

  Guess what? Christianity is a global religion, practiced on every continent and predominantly in Europe, North/Central and South America, and parts of Africa. Check it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity

  I realize that the substandard educational system in this country produces mindless robots who never look past their TVs for knowledge, but to call Christmas "American" is one of the most insipid, insulting, and idiotic things I've ever heard. And don't even think of suggesting I'm saying this because I'm some Jesus-freak or rabid Christian because I'm not. I don't practice ANY formal religion, nor do I believe in "God" as Christianity imagines him.

  I'm affronted the sheer lunacy of the statement and the extent to which people have shut off their brains, that's all. I think Penelope's idea of floating religious holidays is awesome and I look forward to working somewhere that enlightened.

  Posted by sarah on December 24, 2008 at 5:21 pm | permalink | Reply

• I can generally agree with you at least a little bit, but every Christmas the same thing? Get over it! Tomorrow I am going to have just as many Jews to my Christmas dinner as Christians because it is about being together.
  This year not only did you complain about Christmas, but made it seem that only Jewish people have been held down. I got news, get in line. I am "black," at least Jews have a fighting chance with they walk into the room. I don't, I have to overcome their stereotypes (which I often do when they find out I am British – not sure why that is!)
  Next year please share your knowledge of the Festival of Lights and leave Christmas alone.

  Posted by Miss M on December 24, 2008 at 5:31 pm | permalink | Reply

• Penelope,

  Thought you might find this poll I just came across interesting. While 80% or so of Americans identify with Christianity, about 93% (If I remember right) celebrate Christmas.

  http://www.gallup.com/poll/113566/US-Christmas-Not-Just-Christians.aspx

  Posted by m on December 24, 2008 at 5:39 pm | permalink | Reply

• Sadly, what I think is most universally American is the excessively consumptive way that so many people "celebrate" Christmas. I've been to many celebrations tied to religious occasions, eg Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, christenings, and I've never felt that a particular religious belief was prerequisite for participating in those celebrations. Christmas certainly has its roots as a religious holiday, and I put it in that category, so it never matter to me that people of other religions didn't, or did, celebrate the holiday. If you embrace Christmas as a religious holiday, I think we've gone over the top. If you embrace Christmas as a secular occasion, I think we've gone over the top. That's a share truth and crosses all religious lines!

  Posted by Kathleen on December 24, 2008 at 6:45 pm | permalink | Reply

• I'm curious as to exactly how much of this furor over Christmas actually has to do with the secular/religious views of the holiday, and how much of it has to do with:

  [people who want everyone to know exactly how hard they're working 24/7 and complain loudly about not knowing what their kids look like]
  vs.
  [people who get the job done, quietly, but have no interest in being a drama queen about it]

  I was raised Christian. I 'celebrate' Christmas, though I mostly just take the time off to spend with my family, because I frankly don't take time off otherwise to do so. This is a cultural thing [in the US] – and we're at a crossroads with The Guilt of Family Time versus The Very Good Employee.

  'The Holidays' have become the only acceptable time we can take a long break from work, guilt-free, to be with our families. For better or worse, it's universally understood. The ginormous company where I work issued a statement to all associates from the CEO advising us to enjoy The Holidays this year because massive layoffs begin in '09.

  I sympathize with people of other faiths who do not receive time off automatically for their holy days. However, concessions can be (and are) made for individuals in most of my experiences.

  This controversy isn't about me celebrating with you, or you celebrating with me; it's about respecting family time. We can wrap this up in Christian versus everyone else, but I don't think it's necessary. If I can ignore the materialism/Christmas music/demur on participating in celebrations at work if invited (and I do), then so can anyone else, regardless of personal faith.

  Posted by JC on December 24, 2008 at 6:53 pm | permalink | Reply

• For the poll…what about "No one is at work, so i wouldn't be able to get anything done if i did show up at work, so employers are just acting in their best interests making me stay home." I'm not sure it's a lot different, considering the US's demographic tilt towards Christians, than me saying that i want to be able to work Sunday through Thursday rather than M-F.

  Posted by Erik on December 24, 2008 at 6:59 pm | permalink | Reply

• Personally, I'm an atheist, and so Christmas celebrations are something I accept as being a socially sanctioned time to gather with my extended family whom I almost never see otherwise.

  I would prefer New Years to be the main holiday and celebration, as this is (while obviously based on the Christian calendar) a more appropriate time for those of us who are not religious or are from other faiths to celebrate.

  I do think it is important to have a set time each year when almost everyone (lets not forget those in care industries for whom today is just another day to take care of someone) has a holiday. It creates a sense of peace and relaxation across our whole community, and I would be sad to see this communal time off lost altogether.

  Posted by Jess on December 24, 2008 at 7:38 pm | permalink | Reply

• We are looking forward to taking in a movie tomorrow (maybe Australia?) and taking it easy without any hectic gift exchanges. Having a day off in the middle of the week works for us no matter what the official occasion. Slowing down is a gift that we all need now and again.

  Posted by Leslie on December 24, 2008 at 8:47 pm | permalink | Reply

• The poll leaves out one massive practical consideration: if an office were open on Christmas day, odds are that so large a percentage of the workers (as mapped to the percentage of people in various religions in the US) that staying open might well be utterly pointless. The expense of keeping the office running might not be justified by the amount of work that would get done.

  And I'm saying this in a public post as the one yarmulke-wearin' shabbat-observin' kosher-keepin' Jew at my workplace. Yeah, I would come in to work on Christmas day (and did so when I worked for majority-Jewish companies in Brooklyn that *did* stay open). But I know that enough of my coworkers would be taking the day off that little to nothing would effectively get done.

  Posted by Joseph Zitt on December 24, 2008 at 8:59 pm | permalink | Reply

  • Actually, had I been able to go in to work on the 25th & 26th (we got both days off), and had I wanted to go in, I'd have had quite a bit of work to do. But that's the nature of my job (production in a copy center). I can think of 2 specific orders that are currently waiting to be run, plus a 3rd that needs finishing, and a 4th that needs a proof. Had I gone in, I'd have been able to have 16 hours of nearly uninterrupted work, and could have probably finished most, if not all, of the work.

    Aww, who am I kidding? If I'd gone in to work either or both of those days I'd have spent the time surfing the internet.

    Posted by monogodo on December 28, 2008 at 9:06 pm | permalink | Reply

• One word…. Festivus.

  Posted by principalspage on December 24, 2008 at 9:39 pm | permalink | Reply

• I come from India, which is also a secular country. So as part of our 10 yearly paid holidays, we celebrate major holidays of all our major religions – so in fact we get two 'Christian' holidays (Good Friday and Christmas) – much to the surprise of some of my American colleagues who work with offshore teams. As we do for Moharram and Id, for Dusshera and Diwali and Guru Nanak Birthday, Buddha Jayanti and so on. I think there is some merit to that approach as it makes us celebrate and look forward to celebrating holidays of other religions along with our own, instead of the US, when Christmas is the only religious holiday celebtrated.

  Posted by Khushi on December 24, 2008 at 10:59 pm | permalink | Reply

• Thanks for the post, love it.

  I am pissed off every Christmas because I have to pretend to feel "occasional" but can't bring myself to feel that way. And then when I don't feel occasional (aka home alone), I feel like somehow I am missing out or being lonely – when really, it's just me being me.

  Basically, Christmas makes me feel bad, like somehow I'm not doing something right.

  Posted by NYC on December 24, 2008 at 11:04 pm | permalink | Reply

• I used to work for a retail company run by orthodox sephardic jews, they closed their stores during the High Holy days. most of the employees were not jewish…Most of the employees felt a little strange about the whole thing (greatful for the time off, but it was not their holiday so it was like taking any day off with no significance). When you see it from a minority perspective things can look very different.
  My point is that how you feel about this issue depends on your own beliefs as well as how you have been socialized to religious celebrations…I agree with Penelope's argument take religion out of the equation and use floaters…this would discriminate against no particular group or person…Only non-religous holidays should be National holidays…Our country was founded on the principle of the seperation of church and state, as well as the right to practice any religion without persecution…Lets practice what our founding fathers wanted…you can still take christmas off if you want under this premise…

  Posted by Mark F. on December 24, 2008 at 11:19 pm | permalink | Reply

• Okay. I have some food for thought. Never mind the christmas spirit or whether or not Christmas is an "American" holiday. My husband's company decided to shut down from christmas to new years and force all its employees to take vacation. Why? This makes economic sense. Shutting the entire office down saves money.

  So, when the majority of people take a holiday off, would it be more reasonable to close down the factories and offices to save money?

  Posted by Mauri on December 24, 2008 at 11:34 pm | permalink | Reply