A serious question for Jehovah's Witnesses and Christmas? Please DON'T YELL at me! I really want to know this!

combine "getta go" and "awesome guy" responses. That way you can present her with the gift without mentioning anything about the holidays, which would cause her to be uncomfortable. If she still looks at it as a holiday gift and declines, you are free to give to the rest of the staff. In the long run, JWs are used to having to refuse anything holiday-related, so she will not consider her exclusion to be offensive. More than likely, she will consider it to be an opportunity to take a stand on her beliefs. However, you should be prepared that she might also see it as an opportunity to converse with you regarding why she feels her beliefs are correct and why she thinks Christians are wrong to celebrate holidays.

She would not take it as a Christmas gift, but she may accept it as a gift from the heart. I think you should ask her. You should also tell her that you will be giving them to the rest of the staff. Jehovah's Witnesses are not ones to take gifts for events, though, so do not be concerned if she declines - though she will appreciate the offer, I am sure. Perhaps another time of year she would, but things that other people celebrate and even birthdays are not accepted, typically. There is no reason to exclude the other maintenance staff!!!

You've had a variety of responses from those who are Jehovah's Witnesses and from those who are not, and you're probably just as confused as when you started.

I've been one of Jehovah's Witnesses for over 40 years, so let me try to help.

Jehovah's Witnesses are normal people who enjoy giving and receiving gifts; however, because we do not celebrate Christmas we would PREFER that people not give us gifts around Christmas time. We are not offended if others (friends, family members, neighbors, co-workers, etc. who are not Jehovah's Witnesses) receive Christmas gifts and we do not. We expect this and are not bothered when this happens.

Occasionally, people will give us gifts at Christmas time either because they forget that we don't celebrate or because (like you) they know we don't celebrate but they still want to show that they care about us or want to show their appreciation for our hard work, etc. In either of these cases, each Witness will decide what they will personally do, either graciously accept or politely decline. It obviously places us in an awkward position, not wanting to participate in the celebration, and yet not wanting to hurt the feelings of the giver. No one can say for sure how the lady you speak of will respond.

My advice would be to NOT offer her a gift. Rest assured that she will not be offended and neither of you will be put in an awkward situation. In a couple of months, if you still feel inclined to show your appreciation, give her something then. Gifts given unexpectedly often have more meaning for both the giver and the receiver.

You are a sweet person with a kind and generous heart and I am sure the lady will not be offended by you. I am certain she already knows the sort of loving person you are. Jehovah's Witnesses love to give and receive gifts and the only reasons they don't celebrate Christmas are because they want to please God and his servants were killed during the only two birthdays recorded in the Bible, he doesn't record for us when Jesus was born. Talk to her--tell her how you feel and listen. I am sure she will not be in any way hurt or upset that you care enough to take the time. Give her a gift some other time instead. She will love it!!

i grew up as a jehovahs witness so will give what i think. I think it would be ok to gift it to her maybe a few weeks before christmas not on the day because then it feels more as a gift rather than an xmas present. Depending on how strong of a winess she is will decide wheter she accepts of not. If she does decline it will most likely be very polite and she will then know that you were thinking of her. bottom line i do not feel it would be inappropriate

To save embarressment or awkwardness then give her something after Christmas. She will know you mean well and it will demonstrate your respect for her beliefs. Respect is the key issue here and if you really like her then just give her something maybe a couple of days after Christmas just as a friendly thing to do but not in the guise of it being about Christmas. Be better to do something during the normal rest of the year that would have the biggest suprise instead of just under a short seasonal compulsion. Her faith means she rejects the worldly holiday of Christmas so maybe you should be kindest and peacefully let her keep to her faith.

It is ok to go ahead and offer the gift to her. Just tell her that you know she is a JW and understand that she does not celebrate Christmas - but that you wanted her to have the thank you gift anyway.

She will appreciate the gesture. If she turns down the gift don't take it personally. If she accepts it in the spirit you mean it - then great!

Jehovah's Witnesses are fully aware the majority of people celebrate Christmas and gift giving is a part of it. Jehovah's Witnesses will not take part in the Roman pagan festival of Saturnalia renamed to Christmas but they do accept gifts year around. Not needing to wait for a special day.

If the gift is not Christmas related it will be accepted. (i.e. Christmas cookies, Christmas candles, ect...)

howdy,

old gramps here.

just LOVE how all these NON - witnesses try to tell you what we think and believe.

one of the fellas above is correct. giving a gift is an act of kindness. that is why i give magazines to those who can not afford them, and drive all over the usa to help people who need to learn the bible.

by the same token, you might be given a magazine. it is a gift. you might wish to accep tthat.

i have accepted a 'trade deal' from folks of all kinds of beliefs, from rocath priests and monks to a communist who was part of the elections committee in lakewood cal to some politicos who were running up & down the street in long beach giving out flyers for bill clinton when he was running for prez.

at the same time, i have refused the flyers from the am nazi party, the black muzlims and even my own indigenous 'brothers'. i dont do racism. i am as mixed as they get. no, you can not send all whites back to europe and all blacks to africa. i do not blame a whole race of people for the actions of a few sick individuals.

the only issue is:

are they sugar cookies or anise?

i prefer the latter.

YUM!

gramps,

d:-) in the orange hat. gettin cold, ya know ....

You can give it to her but tell her it is NOT a Christmas gift. It is a gift because you appreciate what she has done for you all year. It is not against their religion to accept or give gifts, but just not for Christmas. If you present it as a thank you for all she has done, I am sure she will accept it graciously.

I don't celebrate Christmas, but I have been known to give certain people gifts in December for having done such a great job all year. It has nothing to do with Christmas itself.... just because the year is coming to a close and I wanted to say thank you.