Does anyone here “celebrate” Christmas or host/attend gatherings on December 25? Do you exchange gifts with your family and friends for the fun of it? What do you think of doing anything major on Christmas not necessarily for religious reasons but for the fun of it if you have small children and big families. I know some people who go as far of having a tree. What are your views about this?
I am particularly interested in hearing from people with children since I am assuming the gift giving aspect may happen just for them. Just curious, what do you tell your kids about Christmas?
Re: Christmas Festivities
Alhamdulilaa, v r muslim.
We went out last night to see the decorations of the houses in our neighborhood. I saw one house with lights and Jewish star. Definitely a Jew household, decorating for Hanukkah. I am thinking next year to decorate my house during holiday seasons, with a Muslim theme. Maybe a crescent and star, minarets, a kaaba abd something of that sort to light up the front yard.
Re: Christmas Festivities
No.
I tell the kids its commeoration of birthday of Jesus as celebrated by Christians.
Re: Christmas Festivities
Yes, we celebrated the fun side of it, had a nice dinner, bought gifts etc.
Saw this on Al Jazeera earlier and thought it was sweet (and yeah they are also Muslims):
Displaced Syrian children celebrate Christmas - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
Re: Christmas Festivities
Similar to Diwali for Hindus, Hanukkah for Jews, Eid for Muslims, Christmas is for Christians.
Christmas Festivities
Deeba the video wasn’t available in my region but that’s really nice! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the clarification. 
Double post.
Re: Christmas Festivities
No, it’s just like any other day for us. Perhaps except for the sleeping in part. We have quite a few kids in the family, but we don’t give any gifts. The ones who are of the age go to school on the day if it happens to fall between Monday and Thursday as they go to Islamic school and don’t get the day off anyway.
I might buy gifts for them as all the stores have their Boxing Day/Week sales going on around that time, but I’ll give them those gifts later. In fact, for that reason, I’ll buy all kinds of stuff since I can get things for up to 50% off in that period.
Re: Christmas Festivities
I observe and celebrate Eid Milad e Maseeh.
Re: Christmas Festivities
Yaum-e-Meelaadh Hazrath Sayyedhna Eesa ibn Maryam alaihi Salaam (aka, Sayyedhna Eesa Rooh Allah) Mabrook! 
Re: Christmas Festivities
We usually do dinner of some sort…not necessarily Christmas-y but because everyone is off that day its kinda nice to do something together.
We haven’t put up trees in my parents’ home but one of my sisters put up a small one in her home.
So we all got together for dinner, one of us made loads of chicken pot pie, the rest of us made the sides, dessert and coffee. We watched TV. That is our Xmas.
Re: Christmas Festivities
As long as you promise to post the video when your house is pelted with rotten eggs. 
Was Maseeh really born on the 25th of December ? 
Re: Christmas Festivities
What my parents always do except they go to the town centre! 
Aside from days off due to Xmas nothing much really, I prefer to stay inside with the warm heating!
Re: Christmas Festivities
It’s just another day off..good way to catch up with family and friends. I hosted a brunch at my house…made halwa puri and a bunch of other dishes, had a fun, relaxing morning hanging out with family.
In the evening, my inlaws came over for light snacks and tea.
No trees or presents.
Usually the weekends leading up to Christmas, or the weekend after, we take the kids driving around to see the lights, or to one of the resort hotels for activities like cookie decorating or the ICE exhibits.
Re: Christmas Festivities
now why don’t people celebrate chrismas but do celebrate thanksgiving and halloween??
*flame attempt
Re: Christmas Festivities
:mirch: flame doused
Re: Christmas Festivities
It’s a pagan holiday. Jesus is probably hating everyone for celebrating it. And Jesus was born in March rather than December.