When we left we decided to celebrate holidays whilst we decided which direction we planned to go in. Part of the reason for this was that not celebrating was originally intended to make the religion controversial and set the rank and file appart from other people and the pagan origins was just smoke and mirrors. My children experienced the full impact of this in school constantly being isolated from their peers and made to feel awkward and odd. We felt that it was important to celebrate our freedoms and create new family traditions that meant the children would remember their childhood with joy.
Birthdays the logic is flawed the society warns that children are spoilt and made much of but really is that true. Yes for one day a year they are made to feel special and important but that is just one day. They will also celebrate many other people's birthdays where it is there job to make someone else feel special with no expectation of receiving anything. Birthdays teach our children to be generous and caring to experience the joy of making someone else happy. The fun they get in choosing or making gifts and watching someone open them is lovely. They remember these days and talk about them.
Christmas the society used to celebrate Christmas and was able to justify it to their members. We try to do as much ourselves make our own decorations and christmas food. We don't over do the food and alcohol shopping but do have some treats. I buy through the year and hide things away. When on holiday I try to get little presents for the stokings that will remind people of the good time we had. The children get a real buzz choosing presents for others and writing out cards for friends and teachers. We have decided on some family traditions already and my son is happy to remind us about the christian meaning of Christmas. Our neighbours have been generous and given us some Christmas decorations so that this year we have the potential to be awesome. This is again an opportunity to get them to think of others and budgeting and to get them to think about what they can do themselves.
Easter just chocolate really as an ante dote to memorial. Less chocolate next year for sure.
Halloween my husband is an atheist but loves dressing up and taking my son out trick or treating. As I have volunteered in the local schools and the children know where I live we have a steady stream of visitors asking for sweets. We make our own costumes, last year my son was the invisble boy with a mask covered in stars and a cape with clouds on . My daughter was a pink and black cat and my husband was a zombie no makeup required.
Mothers day - home made gifts and cards and it is all about showing appreciation. The same with father's day although we do take him out for a meal and make sure there is beer in.
Valentines day - not a big deal although a box of chocs for us all to share goes down well.
What it is is ensuring the children know the value of what they do and that sometimes you don't have to buy lavish gifts to show love for others. The children also get the excitement that only a wrapped gift will bring and they are part of the exchanging of cards and gifts with their peers.
For us it was the right decision and for our children it was important.
