[shavon]

Hello my friends...

My foster son's dad is wiccan/pegan (sp?) with Christmas coming up I thought I would get him a gift, but I dont know how they believe, do they even celebrate Christmas? If I am not mistaken they really dont follow the bible, but I thought that maybe I could get him something that would have to do with his "religion" (im not even sure if it is called a religion) any way would any of you have similar beliefs that could give me some advice??

I dont want to leave him out at Christmas time but I also dont want to offend him by getting him something that he wouldnt want..

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated..

Shavon

[Boulderbabe]

Hi Shavon,

Wiccans and Pagans are part of a religion that is older than Christianity. They don't celebrate Christmas. But here's a suggestion: I think a "holiday" gift of a picture of his son in a nice frame is always a good idea---that's what I give my fkids' parents every year.

[stevenstwin]

Originally Posted by shavon

Hello my friends...

My foster son's dad is wiccan/pegan (sp?) with Christmas coming up I thought I would get him a gift, but I dont know how they believe, do they even celebrate Christmas? If I am not mistaken they really dont follow the bible, but I thought that maybe I could get him something that would have to do with his "religion" (im not even sure if it is called a religion) any way would any of you have similar beliefs that could give me some advice??

I dont want to leave him out at Christmas time but I also dont want to offend him by getting him something that he wouldnt want..

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated..

Shavon

Yes, it's a religion - but I do find that a lot of people who "claim" to follow it really are just playing around at it...that said, I'm Wiccan so I suppose I can give you some advice. No, we are not connected to Judaism or Christianity in any way and therefore do not follow or believe in the bible. We don't celebrate Christmas as such, but DO celebrate the Winter Solstice (which is always around December 21st, and in fact is on the 21st this year) which is the celebration of the symbolic birth of God. (Which, by the way, is one theory about the reason why the early Christian church decided to make Christmas the same time of year, to make it easier for the people to make the switch, even though scholars thought Christ was more likely born in the Spring sometime). So....Give him a nice Season's Greetings type card on which you can write "Have a Blessed Solstice" or similar, along with any small gift such as you would give anyone else at Christmas. I'm sure he'll appreciate the thoughtfulness very much! If you really want to go all out with it, anything with a Goddess symbol or a pentacle (a five pointed star enclosed in a circle), would be a nice touch - but possibly hard to find depending on where you live.

[shavon]

stevenstwin--

Thank you so much for the advice, I was so afraid to even post about it in fear that I would offend somone.

I have looked it up on the internet but really could not find much. I think I will take your and Boulderbabes advice and get him a nice picture of the baby in a frame. And I will be looking around for something with a pentacle or a gpddess sybol (what is that?)

I know what you mean about maybe not being a follower but just playing around with it, that is the impression I got from him when I asked about it. He really couldnt explain it, all he said is it has to do with nature.

On the other hand maybe he just didnt think it was my business how he believed LOL.. He is always wearing black skull shirts and ones that say "born again pegan" I had to get tickled at him because I fugured since he wore it so proudly that it would be okay to ask about it, but when I did he really couldnt answer my question.

I just want to make sure that I dont offend him in any way but still acknowledge (sp? I know that is spelled wrong lol) him if that makes any sense..

[thelowlanders]

By some....
Isn't Christmas considered a pagan holiday? They talk about it's original background and stuff. So maybe it's not offensive to most, but just a fun time where everone gets together, gives gifts, and makes sure to be civil to one another at fam get togethers if they don't normally get along.
You know........Take the Christ out of it and just acknowledge Happy Holidays. If you're wanting to be respectful of his religion or lifestyle.

[stevenstwin]

Originally Posted by shavon

stevenstwin--

Thank you so much for the advice, I was so afraid to even post about it in fear that I would offend somone.

I have looked it up on the internet but really could not find much. I think I will take your and Boulderbabes advice and get him a nice picture of the baby in a frame. And I will be looking around for something with a pentacle or a gpddess sybol (what is that?)

I know what you mean about maybe not being a follower but just playing around with it, that is the impression I got from him when I asked about it. He really couldnt explain it, all he said is it has to do with nature.

On the other hand maybe he just didnt think it was my business how he believed LOL.. He is always wearing black skull shirts and ones that say "born again pegan" I had to get tickled at him because I fugured since he wore it so proudly that it would be okay to ask about it, but when I did he really couldnt answer my question.

I just want to make sure that I dont offend him in any way but still acknowledge (sp? I know that is spelled wrong lol) him if that makes any sense..

Yeah, the fashion choices make his sound a bit more like a "play-gan" LOL - but it's nice you are trying so hard to be supportive. In a nut shell, it is an earth based religion - we believe in a supreme being, but represented by both male and female sides, so often pictured as both a "God" and a "Goddess" (or Lord and Lady). A Goddess symbol could be anything related to mother earth etc.- or think Greek Goddess kind of thing. Some people understand it better if I say it is similar to Native spiritual beliefs -the ideas that everything is sacred, that nature must be treated with respect, etc. Most of us also believe in reincarnation. If you want some good, basic information on any world religion, I like the website "religioustolerance.org".