Should You Send Religious Christmas Cards?
65If you are Christian but not sure whether to send religious Christmas cards this holiday season, then this guide is for you. There is no right or wrong answer, but these tips will help select the best possible card for each recipient.
Is the recipient definitely of a different faith?
If your recipient is Muslim, Hindu, Jewish or another religion, they may find an overtly Christian Christmas card disrespectful. A 'holiday' card with seasonal greetings may be a better choice for these recipients. On the other hand, just because they're not Christian doesn't mean you're not. For example, if you received a 'Happy Hanukkah' card from Jewish friends, woud you be offended? Probably not, because you know that Hanukkah holds religious meaning to them even if it doesn't to you. So if you feel OK about it you can consider sending a Christian card, but first think about how the recipient would feel receiving it before making any decision. If in any doubt at all, play it safe with a holiday card.
Unsure if your recipient is Christian or atheist?
Try this simple test (for married recipients only): if the couple got married in a church of any Christian denomination, then you can safely send them a religious card. If they're religious enough to get married there, they're religious enough to receive a Christian Christmas card.
Are you sending to a business associate?
If so, a secular 'holiday card' may be more appropriate (unless you know that they are Christian).
Conclusion
There is no right or wrong answer as to what kind of Christmas card to send. One solution is to send Christmas cards to those who you know are Christian and generic 'holiday' cards to those who are of another religion. On the other hand, if all your recipients know that you yourself are Christian, you may feel comfortable sending entirely religious themed cards. Perhaps most thoughtfully of all, consider how each recipient would feel receiving a religious card first before making your choice for that person. If in doubt, ask! Most people would be flattered that you'd like to know their preference for this.
© 2010 Giselle Maine
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Thank you for your insights Tammy, I appreciate you stopping by. Yes, I agree there can be a lot of pressure to make Christmas secular.
Yes, I'm not trying to say one should always (or never) use religious cards, I'm trying to point out that we should all put *some* level of thought into this before we purchase our cards.
I agree with you about store owners etc. In fact, last Christmas I complimented a (actually secular!) store on using religious Christmas carols (not 'holiday songs') in the music they were playing that day. It's certainly getting rarer to hear religious based Christmas music these days.
Thanks again for your input, it is (as always) insightful and appreciated.
I make my own Christmas cards, which usually feature a drawing of a cat with a Santa cap on. I do not mind if someone gives me a religious Christmas card, but I do not go to church either. I grew up with a belief in the Christian traditions, but I have become more of a person that believes in God and does not really make that a public thing. I am not bothered by people who want to share their religious Christmas cards, and even people who are of other faiths besides Christianity might not care. Even some atheists would not care. Now if someone seems to be a little hostile towards any faith, a secular card might be best for that recipient. Like I said cards with a Christmas cards with a cute santa cat are pretty neutral and fun.
@SweetiePie, making your own cards with your own design is a fantastic idea! Your insights about other points of view were also helpful. Thank you for commenting.
As a Christian I like sending out cards that share the meaning of Christ's birth. On occasion I bought cards that are funny instead of serious. Either way, I have never really thought about "not" sending someone one of my cards because of their religion. My husband did purchase a Hanukka card for a Jewish coworker. He gave that to her instead of a Christmas card. I think that is really the only time we have done this. Now when I go to fill out cards, I will remember your hub! lol I will actually think twice about each person before sending. Thanks for an enlightening hub!
Hi Specialk3749, thanks for sharing your ideas of what types of cards you've used in previous years; the funny cards are a superb idea which I'm sure a lot of readers might also want to try. And thank you for your kind words about my hub.
Of Course send out Christmas cards that hold the true meaning of Christmas!
Hi sherrylou57, thank you for stopping by.
Good hub and you've got us all interested in the topic, Giselle. It's a difficult one to decide on. Generally I send ecards and hope for the best by sending a neutral festive or funny mode. I have no idea whether it works or not, but I don't seem to get anyone annoyed. Thanks for the hub.
Hi chspublish, thank you for stopping by & for your input. It's always helpful to get Christmas card ideas that have been working out well in past years for others.
I think that, even if one isn't Christian, the Biblical Christmas story is still part of all that is Christmas.
I agree that an overly 'religious' greeting may not be suitable for people of other faiths, or none, but it is possible to get some lovely cards, illustrating, for example, the nativity, or the magi, but with a simple 'seasons greetings' inside. Such a card should suit most people, I think.
Hi Trish_M, your idea of a religious picture with a holiday greeting is a great one. Thanks for stopping by & sharing!
This is a great question. I send the appropriate cards to the appropriate family, friends, co workers, etc. If I know a person is spiritual then yes I send a "religious" card. If they are not I choose an appropriate card for that person. But this year I hand made all my cards so this was different than usual. I wanted to be more personal.
Hi onceuponatime66, sounds like you always put plenty of thought and care into selecting your Christmas cards. Your idea of sending handmade cards this year adds a very personal touch which I'm sure your friends & family will really appreciate.
It is strange how such a supposedly simple thing produces so much conflict. A lot of people I know have stopped bothering. Why not have an unwritten rule that if you're Christian send a card that declares your religion, same for every religion. Why isn't there a harmistice at this special time; WINTER is hard enough without getting into these fall outs. At least this way you know later whether the person can tolerate people outside their religion and if not less expense next year (hee-he!)
Very sound advice. It is sometimes very hard to decide what type of card to send someone. This is very useful. voted up
Hi Masmasika and Days Leaper, it is so true that deciding upon a card can be difficult and even, as Days Leaper mentioned, produce conflict in some situations. Masmasika, I'm so glad you found this article useful.
Unless you know that someone is non-Christian, I think it's perfectly o.k. to send out Christmas cards that define your feelings about holiday, whether religious or more secular. Personally, I don't care if a card is religious, non-religious or generic. It's the personal message inside that makes it meaningful.
Hello Stephanie, as usual you have provided a very helpful perspective - you are so right that it is the personal message inside which makes a Christmas card meaningful. I appreciate you stopping by and contributing so valuably to the discussion.
Tammy L Level 1 Commenter 17 months ago
As usual, you've written another useful hub. It seems the Christmas card is just another way to make Christians feel persecuted. Christian store owners can't say "Merry Christmas" to their customers for a fear of offending their non-christian clients. Even schools use the "Happy Holidays" approach because someone had once complained of the Christ reference to Christmas greetings. People in general are forgetting the first word in Christmas is "Christ".