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

Okay, so I've never really been a Christmas/Holiday card person (raised Jewish, ended up an atheist, never had a family tradition of them), and I've *never* gotten them from more than a handful of people at work (well, like, three) whom I could personally thank and then move on.

Now, this year, I am getting one from EVERYONE in the office (about 20 people?). Seriously, I have a pile of cards on my desk.  And I'm starting to feel pressure to "join in".  Would it be a huge faux pas if I didn't? Can I just go around thanking people?

Eep! All advice is appreciated...

Jennie...
No one expects it, I manage an office and we do a secret Santakuh (PC thing) only for those who want too.  We have some eager beavers in my office who have also done the cards already. You just say thank you for holiday spirit and move on...Don't feel the need to start with the cards pressure should not = Christmas anyways.

Heck IF you want to feel holiday spirit - bake a cake or cookie or buy some and bring it in and say to all of you Happy Holidays. <period> end of the line.

Hope that helps a bit ;-)
Jenn

Ummm, it's different in the UK, ZB and Jennie. It is sort of expected to give holiday cards, at least, it is where I live. Especially to the in-laws - give them early and make sure they aren't just the box cards, but ones that say "Mum," etc. I was on the receiving end of some snippy comments last year because I didn't understand how that worked here and DH failed to explain that to me, of course, it always falls on the wife.  And everyone in the office gives everyone cards, and usually a lot of people bring chocolates (Quality Street or something of the like) to share with everyone at the office. Of course, we have a relatively small office and don't exchange cards with the 150 staff that work in the factory, just the other people who work in the office.

Sigh.

That's what I was afraid of Jewlz--mostly because I actually really like working here, people are very nice and welcoming, so I definitely want to "go along" and do what is expected.  I just did not expect to get all these cards!  DH's family doesn't really send them out either, so I didn't get any warning from last year that this might happen. And, DH's work (at the same university, in a different school) does NOT send cards, but they are all physicists and comp sci guys (and two girls) so that may be why. I'm in a much more "admin" type area (although still research oriented).

This is all compounded by the fact that I only work part time and am going on holiday starting tomorrow! Maybe I will stop by in the morning with a cake/chocolates for everyone as a stop-gap and then shape up for next year.

Thanks for the advice!

I disagree, I don't think its expected, I think its a nicety, but I have had enough experience in the workplace in the UK that its not expected, its a nice thing to do if you want it, but do not feel obliged to do it. People won't think less of you. People in my office know that I don't do it, and its never been an inssue or a problem. Do what you feel like doing, if you want to give them, do it. If you don't don't bother. Bring in chocolates for everyone, thats a nice idea.

No, I don't think it's expected either - some people just say 'I'm not sending cards this year' and everyone usually just accepts it. One of my colleagues said yesterday that she might just bring in a box of chocolates instead of giving out cards this year. Also, a couple of my facebook friends have left status updates saying 'Not sending cards this year, so wishing a Merry Christmas to everyone on here instead'.

I've just written cards this morning for all my colleagues at work - two of those colleagues are Muslim and don't celebrate Christmas, but it's more of a friendship thing rather than a religious thing (I'd feel like I was leaving them out if I didn't give them cards too) and I don't expect cards back from them.

Another vote for "not expected in the workplace". I've occasionally received cards but never returned them, so all I do now is bring in a tin of quality street and if someone gives me a card, I offer them a sweet in exchange. Job done.

Jennie, I was / am in a similar situation as you.  Raised Jewish, practicing pagan, but with good feelings toward my heritage.  I didn't expect so many Christmas cards, either.  I don't ever return them and I don't think it's expected.  There's still time for me to bring some home-made cookies in,  which I may do but won't feel bad about if I don't.  (aside: Quality Street = Yuck!)

I'm not sending my MIL or FIL a card as we will see them both on Christmas and they will get their gifts then--to me sending a card would be redundant and a waste of money.

By the way, in general so many Christmas cards seem a waste of money except for the fact that I cut them up the following year to make gift tags with them.  Just be careful you don't use a card to make a tag for a gift on the person who originally sent you the card!

We give Christmas cards at work.  It is kind of expected.  Just buy a cheap box and drop them off.  Even people who are going away bring them in to my work and to be honest if somebody doesn't give cards there is a little muttering.  Not much but it's kind of seen as 'not making an effort'. 

I suspect that, if it were made known the OP is Jewish, they'd be forgiven.

to be honest if somebody doesn't give cards there is a little muttering.  Not much but it's kind of seen as 'not making an effort'. 

Hmmmm, maybe I will do this.

I suspect that, if it were made known the OP is Jewish, they'd be forgiven.

Or fall back on this!  I've used that one before.  Like last year I was setting up a display of  a nice nativity scene--complete with everyone and lots of donkeys, sheep, etc.  It was fun--like playing with dolls.  I called them "the people" as I set it all up (instead of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, etc.) and one of our volunteers who is a devout Catholic was mildly offended.

I bet LOL

We've had a bit of a Christmas collection for a friend who's fallen on hard times who's spending Christmas with us. One of the donations was from a Jehovah's Witness (or JoWo as he calls himself LOL). I'm on strict instructions to make it clear that any gift I buy with his money is NOT a Christmas gift, so I told him I'd wrap it in brown paper and give it to her on boxing day LOL

I've never done the christmas card thing at work and I've never had any problems.

I've generally felt that Christmas here is almost completely secularised these days, so unlike in the PC American way of saying 'happy holidays' or being really careful in case someone is Jewish, everyone just says happy Christmas and means it in a more general, non-religious way. My partner and I are both raging atheists, but we have a Christmas tree, give gifts, do the big dinner and say happy Christmas to everyone. After all, even if you believe the bible, this time of year is not likely to have been the big J's real birthday anyway; it was just a co-opting of pagan festivals celebrating the days getting longer again; axial tilt is the reason for the season! 

I've generally felt that Christmas here is almost completely secularised these days, so unlike in the PC American way of saying 'happy holidays' or being really careful in case someone is Jewish,

Or Hindu or Muslim or Buddhist or pagan or atheist etc, etc.

everyone just says happy Christmas and means it in a more general, non-religious way. My partner and I are both raging atheists, but we have a Christmas tree, give gifts, do the big dinner and say happy Christmas to everyone. After all, even if you believe the bible, this time of year is not likely to have been the big J's real birthday anyway; it was just a co-opting of pagan festivals celebrating the days getting longer again; axial tilt is the reason for the season! 

As a pagan who celebrates the Winter Solstice I totally agree.  Plus Jesus was Jewish anyway.  But still, it's so deeply ingrained in me that Merry Christmas assumes Christianity on the one receiving the greeting.  I do realize that it's not strictly meant like that in the UK though.