Christmas Cards at work--Oh....no.

It's sort of expected in my office - but only within teams really. I've got a massive pile on my desk already and I feel a bit guilty that I haven't done mine yet! I'm also bringing treats in next week for those of us stuck working! I don't mind it - it feels a little bit contrived, but I suppose it's a nice gesture.... And it would be VERY obvious if one person didn't do it and since we're a close-ish team I think everyone would wonder why.

Oh and dh does them at work too - he always comes home in a big panic the week of Christmas saying "honey, do you have any cards left??" I'm prepared for him this year though and bought him his very own box in advance! He manages a team and I think he would definitely say that it's expected.

I don't think the issue with Christmas cards at work is about religion, I think it's about feeling obligated to give things to people that you don't feel that close to.

For some people it is about religion. The OP said that she was raised Jewish and is now an atheist and so has no family tradition of giving cards.

I don't think the issue with Christmas cards at work is about religion, I think it's about feeling obligated to give things to people that you don't feel that close to.

For some people it is about religion. The OP said that she was raised Jewish and is now an atheist and so has no family tradition of giving cards.

I agree with both of these.  For me personally, I have no tradition of giving cards out (due to being raised Jewish) and also see it as an obligation when I don't feel that close to many of the people at my work.

But like Mindy said earlier, some may grumble and think that I'm "not making an effort", (I don't care if the ones I'm not close to think that), so I will get my manager a card, but won't bother with anymore.  For the few others that I feel close to I will give them some home-made baked goods.

For some people it is about religion. The OP said that she was raised Jewish and is now an atheist and so has no family tradition of giving cards.

I was raised Jewish and I am agnostic but have always given out holiday cards to people outside my family. (My family doesn't do greeting cards, in general).  I just never gave out cards with blatant Christian symbolism, like pictures of the baby Jesus.