Tis the season to be jolly…
For those of you who celebrate Christmas, I wish you all the fah-la-la-la-la-ing your heart desires. But as you’re doing that, please take a beat to remember that not everyone around you will be celebrating Christmas, for a myriad of reasons.
For some people, it’s simply not their religious custom, whether they observe a different faith or no faith at all.
For other people, Christmas can be a difficult time due to grief, family struggles or challenging life situations.
I know the excitement as the big day approaches can be fantastic (and the chance to take a well-earned rest from work for a lot of us!), and it can be easy to get caught up in the celebratory and festive mood – and you should enjoy it.
But please also keep an eye and ear out for those around you and pay attention to their needs at this time too. No-one wants you to mope about and pretend it’s not a fun time of year, but I do think the acknowledgement that not everyone feels the same way and taking the time to make space for their needs and feelings will go a very long way too.
There is room for everyone, we only need to take the time to see each other!
FUN FACT!
Did you know… that according to the new 2021 Census data only 46.2% of people identified themselves as Christians, compared with 59.3% of the population in the 2011 census.
Bucks fizz or boo hiss?
Now we need to take a minute to talk about booze. Because for many of us these festive celebrations and glass of something tipsy seem to go hand in hand.
But…
For so many people there are many reasons that alcohol will remain off the menu, and there is nothing worse than the forced drinking culture that can erupt at this time!
So please, if you are hosting a jingle bell shindig, please consider your sober guests who do not wish to drink alcohol. Consider events that don’t evolve around booze, and make sure to offer good non-alcoholic options.
And pretty pretty please, because there are so many reasons for people not to drink, if someone does decline alcohol when you offer it, please don’t ask them why or make up your own internal stories about religion, pregnancy, alcoholism or being boring. It might be one, all, or none of these! But whatever it is, it’s not your business. So simply offer them an alternative and get on with the fun.
It really is that easy.
PAUSE FOR THOUGHT…
If you have friends, family, or co-workers who do observe a different faith to your own, why not take some time to share what you enjoy most about Christmas, and ask them to share what they enjoy most about their own religious, cultural, or spiritual celebrations?
It’s a great way to spread the joy and get more celebrations into your calendar that welcome everyone!