Coming from a mixed cultural background, I find that I am more bothered on the basis of first principles rather than being personally wounded. Despite this, I have pushed back against cultural norms that do not align with my beliefs.
Interestingly, I have found support among what was previously labeled as culturally-conservative Christians, or “hyper-traditional” Christians. They tend to oppose the commercialization and pagan symbolism of “Christmas-lite” in schools just as much as I do. Their rejection of the commercial Christmas celebration often gains more acceptance than stating “I’m Jewish,” which may be due to various assumptions and biases.
In addition to advocating for a more authentic and seasonal approach, I promote activities such as creating snowflake cut-outs, making peace cranes, forcing paperwhites and amaryllis, and incorporating art themes that celebrate the winter season. I also suggest New Year’s posters, advent-style calendars, and alternative gift exchanges.
When it comes to holiday gatherings, I would bring rugelach to a cookie exchange and express my cultural preferences or limitations regarding gift exchanges. I have also proposed the idea of rebranding gift exchanges as white elephant swaps to separate them from the traditional Christmas gift-giving, which has resonated with some of my more conservative colleagues.
Adopting an attitude of “This is my annual cultural visit to Mars” has helped many people navigate the holiday season, just as observing Christmas traditions in countries like Japan, Thailand, and China has offered a broader perspective on the holiday’s cultural significance.
Understanding that for a significant portion of the world, Christmas is celebrated as a secular holiday has prompted me to reassess and prioritize what truly matters amidst the overwhelming holiday customs and traditions.