BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Wicca Yule or Christmas or Hanuka??

My family is composed of many religions. I am Pagan, my parents are pentacostal, my in laws are Catholic, I have an uncle who married into a Jewish family, he has converted, My great aunt is a Mormon, I have another uncle who married a Jehovah's Witnes, thus he also converted. Both sides of the family are ok with these religious choices, except mine. So we celebrate Christmas (even the Jehovah's witnesses will come to the gathering to be with the family but they buy no gifts and do not want gifts given to them) at my parents, we celebrate a night or 2 of Hanuka with the uncle, I have requested them to join me on the night of Yule and no one wants to come. I am not asking them to participate in a ritual, just dinner. I teach my children about all religions and if I don't have answers for them, I know where to turn.

How do you celebrate the holidays in a blended family of religions? Do you keep you religion to yourself or do you try to engage your extended family in traditions of Pagan celebration?

I totally understand the going to X-mas get together out of family obligation. As of this year we have decided to also host own Yule dinner with close friends. This way we can actually have a holiday we enjoy. As far as Mixed religion families My husbands side is Christian the particular branch is never really mentioned. My husband is Druid. My immediate family is Agnostic with Lutheran roots and a sprinkle of Appalachian folk magic. I personally follow a Greco-Roman based path. Our child is still in diapers so religion is not really an issue yet but the plan is to teach her our values while answering any questions she may have about other faiths. But to answer your other question no we do do not engage our extended family in any thing to do do with our religion because they want nothing to do with it and are disrespectful when it is brought up.

All of the above! I flip between Happy Yule/Solstice/Holidays to Merry Christmas pretty regularly, though I try to stick to Happy Holidays at least.

My aunt is seriously Catholic, and she wished me a Merry Christmas. I told her, I don't mind a "Merry Christmas" from my Christian friends, nor a Happy Hanukkah from my Jewish friens, or a Happy whatever from other religions as long as they don't mind a Happy Solstice from me.

As far as you dinner situation, you might remind them that you aren't Christian but still enjoy spending time with them on their holy day. Perhaps they wouldn't mind reciprocating for the same reason... (family guilt trip )

Hi :). As I live way down under and the wheel of the year is different for me I celebrate Litha at Christmas time and as its summer the christmas festivities are normally done outside due to the heat. As it falls on our summer holidays most families get together as people are taking thier annual leave and school is out for 6 weeks. For Me its a 5 day full on celebration with ritual, family, friends, great food, normally great weather. We exchange gifts with the family at Christmas time, however at Yule time here in NZ...June I make and give away handcrafted gifts for my Family and friends. We have a big Yule dinner and even tho my Family are not religious they respect my lifestyle and are happy to enjoy my special time.