To celebrate....or not......

[Sowelu]

I have been pondering the thought ever since last Christmas whether or not to celebrate it this year. The thing is, I have three children, and that is the only reason I have celebrated it although it has no meaning really to me, and I would rather do away with it alltogether.
I would rather celebrate Yule and do gifts on that day. How do I explain that to my kids? Especially when they are used to celebrating Christmas?, and then of course there are the relatives? The last few X-mas's it has only been me and the hubby and kids, and my mother. But this year I want to do it differently. Is there any advice someone can give me?
:)

[Nina]

I celebrate Yule on 25th December. My family celebrate Christmas, and I want to celebrate with them, so I'm happy to compromise. I have a quiet ritual on the 21st, just for me, but I want to share my celebration, and what better way than to merge it with my family's celebrations?

Works for me.

[Old Witch]

I celebrate both....last year I didn't want to do the big tree.......Grown kids had a fit!!!.........Now this year there's Luke to think about............ I'll do a quiet Yule and a big Christmas.......again.............But, it will be fun to have a three year old around:D

[Nina]

I love Christmas trees... I always have one. And lots of ivy, fir - and although I'm not normally a Fae follower, it's part of my ritual to invite them in out of the cold into my decorations. It's the only time I actually feel them around... playing amongst the fairy lights!

I am lucky though - both my parents enjoy me telling stories about Fae at Christmas/Yule, and being a nature nut. I think they are both a little Pagan at heart. My mother loves to sit and hold some of my crystals, and I have given them both Reiki treatment. You gotta hand it to them, they love me just as I am!!

I think Yule is so magical, and I hated Christmas all the years I was with my ex. Too much pressure and tension - always ended up with him getting drunk, and me getting hurt. No more.

[Annika]

I have only been Pagan for a little over a year. I think my sister has guessed upon this little detail, but my parents still think I'm Agnostic. I plan to celebrate Yule privately in my new apartment. And then, as always, I will celebrate Christmas day with my family. I have no qualms with their faith and find the holiday season to be a wonderful time to enjoy my family's company and merriment.

May you find a happy medium between the two holidays and enjoy this time of year with your loved ones.

Blessed Be.
Annika

[Alaiyo]

I think that as everyone else has shared, you can do both.

How to introduce to your children? As you would introduce any new activity to them. I imagine they are in school and if they attend a public school with people from different backgrounds, no doubt they have already learned about Hanukah and Kwanzaa. Children even in this age are naturally curious and especially if you find ways to include them in the process.

In my high school, they had a Kwanzaa ceremony every year and it was up to you whether you wished to participate or not and most people did--out of curiosity and just because it was fun.

You can introduce them to Yule and still keep a scaled back Christmas for them they are not going for it, especially by telling them that if they haven't been good that Mother Bertha'll get 'em and even though she's not as 'famous' as Santa, she still has clout and has been known to help him out with children that are particularly bad.:p

You could hold the ritual on Yule and make sure to include childrens' actvities. Maybe give them small presents (or have them hand make presents) in keeping with Yule on that day and save the larger (that is "commercial")ones for Christmas.

Adults are usually different but I think again many people are willing to try anything once and again if you find a way to include them in the process.

[Nina]

Let's face it, a lot of traditional Christmas celebrations are Pagan! Just think about the words to 'Deck the Halls'... very pagan!

Even Santa seems pagan to me - I love the story about St Nicholas, and why not investigate some of the Christmas traditions and find out where they come from?

And there's nothing more warming to the spirit than taking a walk together out in the cold weather, looking at what is happening to nature during this time!

Wow, I'm finding myself looking forward to Yule already!!

[Pan]

By Emerald Rose

"Santa Claus is pagan too, just like all the rest
And if you are a merry witch he'll bring you all the best
so put that star upon the roof and bake those cookies, too
'cause Christmas time is really Yule
and Santa's pagan, too."

There's a lot more.. >< But I can't find the lyrics.

[Sowelu]

Great feedback everyone!!!
Thank You all very much!!!:D