Do You Celebrate Christmas?

[Hazi-Hammenuhoth]

Do you celebrate Chritmas, and if so, do you also celebrate Eid (end of Ramadan)? If not, why not?

It seems to me that there is a similarity between Christmas and Eid, and I wondered how many people really observed both?

Many non-Christians celebrate Christmas, but I don't know how many celebrate Eid. What are your thoughts?

Like yuletide, Eid has turned into a good excuse for gluttony. Vast quantities of rich foods are consumed, as if to desperately make up for the moderation of the previous month. New clothes are worn and decorations are hung. There was even a minor trend of sending Eid cards, before texting took over. As for Santa, celebrants of Eid have no shortage of overdressed bearded men in flowing robes keeping odd hours and dispensing presents.

[Islay]

No but I do celebrate Christmas!
If I am with friends that celebrate other religious festivals then I join in - I'm not fussy

[EcclesCake]

I don't celebrate Christmas as such, well not the religious aspects too much.

I'll join in a celebration whatever the reason though and if it is of a different faith or nationality to mine then all the better, lots to learn and fabulous food.

[Hazi-Hammenuhoth]

Thanks Islay, excellent...but I wonder why? Is it just tradition or is it because we are slow to embrace other cultures? The non-religious often tell us that we are no longer a Christian nation yet everyone seems to go bonkers about Christmas! But Eid seems to be largely left to the religious. Or am I wrong here?

[Islay]

I have known myself to celebrate Christmas the UK way, the Danish way, the flemish way and the french way over a course of 4 days - its brilliant

[Islay]

When I say I celebrate Christmas - i don't do a religious celebration but more a family celebration

[EcclesCake]

I've celebrated Eid in the U.K. and overseas. I know many people of various faiths who join in with Eid.

[Islay]

Its fun Eccles to embrace everyone's different traditions and faith.

[mccfluff]

nope, I'm not religious in any way and I don't have kids. However i will happily take the 2 days off work.

[Hazi-Hammenuhoth]

//When I say I celebrate Christmas - i don't do a religious celebration but more a family celebration// Sure, I expect most people are in the same boat these days.

[albaqwerty]

We used to have a large family get-together when sons were younger and also their cousins.
A good time to catch up with family.
Don't do it so much now as family members are either no longer here or have grown up and moved away.

[Cloverjo]

Like Islay, it's a chance to get together with family. Nothing to do with the celebration of Christ's birth. I don't know anything about Eid. I can't imagine my family members taking time off work to come together to celebrate it. It's just not our thing.

[tamborine]

Only eid celebration in Tesco seems to be offers of 25kilos of rice at £1 or same for atta flour. As I have lil use for such I dont buy. But I would buy a 25k turkey for £1 if Tesco offered it, but alas :(

[nailit]

//The non-religious often tell us that we are no longer a Christian nation yet everyone seems to go bonkers about Christmas!//
Probably because Christmas was originally a pagan mid winter festival and has little to do with Christianity. Christmas as we know it today incorporates elements from several pagan mid winter traditions which Christianity high jacked for its own purpose.
Always makes me laugh when I hear religious people talking about putting Christ back into Christmas. He was never in it to begin with.

[hc4361]

Yule was celebrated here and in some other European countries long before Christianity, the Winter Solstice, too. The ancient Romans celebrated Saturnalia from the 17th December until the 23rd.
I believe that had Christ never been born we would still have a major celebration in December/January

[hc4361]

A lot of non-Christians celebrate at Christmas because it is a major bank holiday and most people are not at work at least on Christmas Day.
A lot of Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus that I know put a tree up, give presents to the children and send Christmas cards to their neighbours and workmates.

[Hazi-Hammenuhoth]

//Probably because Christmas was originally a pagan mid winter festival and has little to do with Christianity.// Very true, Nailit ! Hence the Christmas trees etc...

[nailit]

And the tradition of bringing a tree indoors and decorating it. The 'Yule' log, mistletoe, holly, even the tradition of carol singers at the door (with changed lyrics) and exchanging gifts...
these are all pre Christian, pagan traditions at this time of year. The idea that Christmas (apart from the name) is 'Christian' is laughable.
I quiet like the idea tho of drunkenness, gluttony and debauchery...also,all pagan associations with this time of year and no doubt all still carried on today. You cant stop human nature from been what it is! ;-)

[douglas9401]

"......do you also celebrate Eid (end of Ramadan)? If not, why not?"

No, because I'm not a Moslem or all that desperate to be seen as inclusive to the point of pain.