Cool thread, as it is something I think of every holiday season.
I was raised Latin and Catholic. While I got lots of gifts (only child), for my Mom the holiday really was about Christ and we would go to mass and everything. My Dad on the other hand was a self-proclaimed agnostic, and I feel more Druid than anything. My Dad embraced the non-Christian spirit of giving to the less fortunate at the holidays, and well throughout the year. He always invited his AA friends and homeless folks to the house for Christmas dinner. So growing up I had a mix of the two. Plus it wasn't as overtly commercial then as now. Annnd in keeping with the Christ, I also always got gifts on the Epiphany, when the Kings presented their gifts to the Christ.
Now, as an atheist, I celebrate Christmas for the gifts and try to follow my father's example of good deeds to the needy throughout the year. I don't mind/get offended by folks that celebrate it as the birth of Christ. But most of my friends don't jump up-and-down and try to shove down my throat the concept of this being the birth of "our savior". For the rare that do, I politely point out why Christmas/Easter/most major Christian holidays are celebrated when they are celebrated.
I seldom say Merry Christmas, I most often say Happy Holidays.
As to my child....when he was little we did mass. He knows the Christian background of the holiday and my less conventional understanding of the holiday. He also knows my opinion of most religions, and that I do not embrace Jesus as the son of a god. We decorated a tree this year, but haven't in other years. He's neither here nor there about it. I try to encourage him to have the "Santa" spirit throughout the year as well. We usually do presents, or well I give him presents, apparently this year he couldn't be bothered. (But that's in another thread. LOL) We just hang out. Just another day off work/school for us.
Can't wait to hear how other blended families have handled it.
Happy Holidays!
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