I think that your “We don’t celebrate Christmas, but we hope you have a wonderful holiday,” is perfect.

We have the same problem, or would have (we’re not Christian either) but somehow it never seems to happen. Isn’t it supposed to be wrong to talk to a stranger’s children, or for children to talk to strangers? Perhaps it is because we usually go shopping without the children (easier), and never go to malls.

Serious Christians might also have the same problem, because for them Christmas is about a holy event, not about Santa and gifts.

I think you have offered a perfect answer.

I would tell the person: “I’m sorry but we don’t subscribe to secularism, humanism or liberalism. These are failed religions. We don’t force secular Sanny Claws on our children and refuse to indoctrinate them in to mindless consumerism to satisfy the corporate greed that is destroying our planet. Thank You, very much but keep your secular Sanny Claws to yourself!” and that’s all you need to say. You don’t need to worry about hurting their feelings with the truth. Liberals, secularists, and humanists will always whine because their religions are rejected so don’t worry about it.

Good luck with whatever you say, cause it probably will offend someone. Very similar to living in St. Charles and being asked what church you go to on Sundays - when you don’t go to church.

Thinking out of the box here, but is it possible for you to celebrate the cool part of Christmas - everything you said earlier but just add in Santa and presents - minus the guilt of the religion…and just add to what you already believe in?

For poster “Tell Them…” do you get invited to parties much?

And what is wrong with mindless consumerism? This is the only time of year that spending money on others that will take you the next 6 months to pay off is fun! Celebrate how and what you want.

Aisha, I say adopt this part of Christmas…then you can throw a party to celebrate…we can even invite “Tell Them…”

Increasing in the United States which is predominantly a Christian nation, we have the dilemma of jewish supremacists that want to eliminate Christianity as having any visibility in American culture or society. Tell them - “I do what I want, I won’t bow to jewish supremacy! I celebrate Christmas as a Christian”. If jews are offended then so what. They’re less then 2% of the population. Who gives a damn what jews want. When they get it, it’s never enough and they’re always back for more.

Being that there are so many cultures here in America, why do well intentioned strangers always assume people believe in the same things? If you want to spark up conversation with a complete stranger, then talk about the weather. Don’t get personal by asking questions about Santa Claus, not everyone celebrates Christmas, that’s why it’s called the holiday season. I would never ask someone’s kids what Santa’s bringing them that I didn’t know, just to avoid awkwardness. There are several religions that don’t celebrate Christmas, respect that, and keep Merry Christmas to yourself and say Happy Holidays!

What about Christians that do celebrate but are having a tough time and can’t afford toys this year? My son knows this Christmas is going to stink, but I still have my house and food on the table. Santa is bringing him one small set of Legos and the rest is stuff he needs like socks, tshirts and a robe. How do you think he feels when he is asked what Santa is bringing him? Lucky for me he’s old enough to be past believing in Santa, so I can be frank with him about our situation.

Hanakkuh is not even a major holiday (c0mpared the Yom Kippur), and most jewish people that I know well enough to discuss such issues with celebrate with 8 days of presents so the kids gets stuff. If the biggest thing you have to worry about is offending a stranger because they were trying to be nice by asking a question, then you are very blessed.

“I don’t believe in Santa Claus.” (Line from Miracle on 34th St delivered by the child) always shuts nosy strangers up. If the adult persists, then the parent/guardian should intervene.

“Isn’t it wrong to talk to a stranger’s children, or for children to talk to strangers?” That is very sad. Yes, there are inappropriate ways to address other’s children, but if a child never speaks to or is spoken to by strangers, even the sort of polite pleasantries one is supposed to exchange, they will grow up rather isolated, don’t you think? There is difference between talking to a stranger, and touching them, or going with them, or such. Most people asking about Santa aren’t seeking a list…they are just indicating to the child that they recognize his or her presence, and that’s much better than being ignored.

I think sanny claws is non-denominational and anybody ought to be able to find a place in their heart for a jolly old guy who wants to make wishes come true. I don’t know why you don’t celebrate Santa Claus if you love to exchange gifts. That tradition originated with Saint Nicholas. So what if he was a different religion than yours. Any reason your kids can’t join in the traditions of other religions?

I think your answer is perfectly acceptable.It is a little nosy of the people asking, but they are probably just making conversation.I don’t have a problem with “strangers” talking to my kids when a parent or other supervising adult is with them.They need to learn that not everybody is “scary”,as I don’t want them to be paranoid about everyone they meet.They have been coached on what to do should we ever be separated and who to go to for help.We also don’t buy into the shop-til-you-drop- whether-you-can-afford-it-or-not mentality that seems to take over at this time of year,but especially in the current economic climate.

I have been in a culturally diverse workplace for many years and have never known differing religions to be a problem.People need to stop expecting everyone to have the same religious beliefs and respect differences of opinion.I use this as a learning experience about other religions.One year, my Jewish boss paid for a “Christmas party” that included his family(non-Jewish wife and kids),a Muslim, several Catholics,a Chinese lady(not sure of her religion)and several others who were best described as non-practicing Christians.Kids need to learn to respect and appreciate differences among people so they don’t grow up with a narrow vision of the world, regardless of their personal beliefs.If you like to exchange gifts, you can do so without the religious overtones, can’t you?Parties can just be a social event.I plan to give home-made Chistmas cookies to a Muslim guy I work with, as well as all the others. He absolutely won’t care about religious overtones when he eats them,LOL,but will be grateful just the same.My four-year-old has mangled the traditional saying into “Merry Holidays”, and I kind of like it.I am really starting to understand how many others celebrate other holidays and it seems more inclusive,rather than blindly assuming everyone celebrates the same as we do.