All the teachers at day care fill out a form with all their favorites (color, drink, food, restaurants, gift cards, etc) so it gives parents an idea on what they like and don't like. I asked the office for them yesterday, so I can start figuring out Christmas presents. The office lady said I don't have one Mrs. X and mentioned that she is a Jehovah's Witness. I don't want to get the other 3 a Christmas gift and not get Mrs X something.
What do I do?
grapefruit / 4278 posts
As a Jehovah's Witness she doesn't observe holidays by exchanging gifts. I would honor her wishes and maybe just give her a card telling her how much you appreciate her taking care of your LO.
coconut / 8234 posts
@Smurfette: No gift. She doesn't celebrate. I like @kiddosc: idea of a card, preferably a nice thank you card with no holiday references, that tells her how much you appreciate her.
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
@kiddosc: @mrsjazz: I know they don't celebrate Christmas, but it doesn't seem right to give a gift to the other 3 and not her. So you think a card and a gift card are fine, though?
watermelon / 14467 posts
@Smurfette: I wouldn't even do a gift card. Just a thank you card with no holiday references in it.
coconut / 8305 posts
No gift at all. It will put her in a place to either go against her belief in God and accept it or possibly offend you by not.
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
@evansjamie: @runsyellowlites: Really? Ok......I feel bad though getting the other something. I am glad the office worker told me otherwise I would have had a Christmas present for her.
coconut / 8234 posts
@Smurfette: perhaps you can talk to her. I think if you were to ask 5 different JWs they might have different answers. Some may accept the gift and others may not accept it or may accept it in front of you out of respect and then get rid of it.
Personally, I'd just give a nice card, no gift card included or if you wanted to give her a gif of appreciation do it another time, not during the Holiday season.
coconut / 8234 posts
@Smurfette: Don't feel bad. I'm sure she's used to it and that it doesn't bother her in the least bit not to receive gifts.
nectarine / 2019 posts
@Smurfette: My husbands family are JW's. Don't give a gift or card or anything. Just make hers a little extra special at the end of the year or something.
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
@Smurfette: so. My best friend in high school was a Jehovah Witness and although they didn't officially celebrate Christmas.... she did. LOL And so did a lot of her friends who were also JH.
Maybe not a holiday card but get a thank you card and you can put a gc in there as a thank you gift? 
honeydew / 7444 posts
I would just say that you know she doesn't celebrate Christmas, but you want to show your appreciation with an end-of-year thank you gift. Just don't put it in holiday wrapping, and it won't make her feel awkward. If she tells you she doesn't feel right accepting it, then you can just take it back.
pomelo / 5298 posts
I would do a nice hand written note of appreciation and if you want to do something of a monetary nature, choose another time of year to do so. Providing a gift during the holidays even re-labeled as a thank you is a difficult thing to accept.
I have an employee in this position and its challenging for those of us who really want to celebrate the holidays and share the joy.
GOLD / squash / 13464 posts
I would just do a card, no gift of any kind. I think the fact that she chose not to fill out a form of likes and dislikes shows that she wishes not to receive any gifts.
bananas / 9118 posts
A nice non-holiday thank you note, but what about a donation in her honor to a good cause?
blogger / pomelo / 5361 posts
@Smurfette: Maybe just give her a thank you card now, and later when it's not "holiday season" you could just give her a little "thank you" gift instead.
wonderful grape / 20453 posts
When's her birthday? Can you give her something then? Or what about a non-descript day? Like, in January? Is that cheating?
I like where Mrs. Blue's going. Is Thanksgiving okay?!
wonderful pea / 17279 posts
We have fam and some friends that are Witnesses and they would be very upset if we forced our celebratory traditions on them. A gift card given during this time of year would signal celebrating a holiday, so I would skip that and stick with a non-hokiday card.
wonderful pea / 17279 posts
@blackbird: The Witnesses I know do not celebrate birthdays either.
pomelo / 5093 posts
I would respect her wishes. I think that a really heartfelt letter about how important she and the facility are in your child's life would be very lovely.
coconut / 8234 posts
@blackbird: No Turkey Day. No birthdays.
@MamaMoose: Agreed. No paper filled out most likely means no gifts.
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
Thanks guys! I will just have R make her a thank you card.
nectarine / 2019 posts
The only celebrations they have are weddings, anniversaries, and baby showers
hostess / watermelon / 14932 posts
I also married into JW family (not dh, thank goodness..) and it would definitely be noooot good to get her a gift. they're pretty strict about those things for the most part.
except the hypocritical ones..don't even get me started 
@Smurfette: just wanted to say, too, not to feel bad or awkward - they're very used to not participating in the holidays or birthdays and I think (at least with my experience) it actually offends/angers them. I don't really get why you'd get angry at an innocent gesture of good will but, they do. ay. I could vent for years and years.
persimmon / 1171 posts
@mrsjazz: +1
I had a neighbor that was Jehovah witness and she accepted gifts after or before the holiday seasons. It has to be a "no real reason, just because" gift for her to feel okay accepting it. I don't see why she would accept a thank you gift, but asking would be my best advice (:
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 0 | 1 |
| Posts | 1 | 3 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
27 comments