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Merry Christmas!
Posted 23/12/24
25 December 2024 : Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays around the world, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.
It is a festival of joy, giving, and celebration - and a time for families and friends to gather, exchange gifts, enjoy festive meals, and embrace the spirit of love and kindness that Christmas represents. Christmas brings warmth and happiness, creating memories that last a lifetime.
Whether you celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday or festive occasion, it鈥檚 a day filled with traditions, decorations, and a sense of togetherness.
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What is Christmas?
Celebrated each year on 25th December, Christmas is a Christian holiday marking the birth of Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity.
It鈥檚 a day for Christians to attend church services, reflect on the nativity story, and celebrate the hope and salvation that Jesus鈥� birth represents. Additionally, Christmas has become a cultural and secular holiday celebrated by people of various backgrounds, often characterised by gift-giving, festive meals, and the exchange of holiday cards.
Christmas Day itself is a public holiday in many countries, allowing families to come together for special gatherings and celebrations. Celebrating Christmas involves a variety of traditions and activities that vary by culture and region. Some common ways to celebrate include:
- Attending a Church service : For Christians, attending a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day church service is a significant part of the celebration.
- Decorating your home : Deck the halls with festive decorations, including a Christmas tree, lights, ornaments and wreaths.
- Exchanging gifts : Exchange thoughtful gifts with family and friends, a tradition inspired by the gifts brought to the baby Jesus by the Wise Men who visited him after his birth.
- Sharing a festive meal : Prepare or enjoy a special Christmas meal, which may include roast turkey, chicken, ham, or other traditional dishes.
- Watching holiday movies : Enjoy classic holiday movies and TV specials with loved ones.
- Giving to charity : Consider donating to charities or volunteering your time to help those in need during the holiday season. However, take note to only donate to trusted, well-known charities. Before giving, check the charity鈥檚 name and registration number, which can be verified on the Charity Commission鈥檚 website at .
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Christmas in the Workplace
As many workplaces will have held or will be holding celebrations to mark Christmas, it is important to consider how to approach Christmas with an inclusive lens
In the workplace, Christmas can be a time to come together as colleagues and reflect on the achievements of the past year. Like many other religious and cultural events, Christmas is a vital time for both reflection and celebration. As we approach the end of the year and look toward the new year, it provides an opportunity for us to reach out to those in our communities and take an inclusive approach to building stronger connections.
Whilst Christmas is a festival often celebrated by Christians, it is important to invite everyone to come together during this time. It is important to acknowledge that the diversity that we have in the UK means that employees will be marking and celebrating Christmas differently, with some employees not celebrating Christmas at all or in the same way that Christians do 鈥� but that doesn鈥檛 mean that people won鈥檛 appreciate and look forward to some of the Christmas rituals that are celebrated during this time.
Planning your approach to Christmas in the workplace also provides a chance to consider what opportunities the organisation is giving colleagues of all faiths to celebrate the religious celebrations that are important to them. For example, you could consider giving employees the chance to decide whether they would like to work across the Christmas period or use that time at a different point in the year to mark an occasion that is important to them.
Some Christmas celebrations include:
- Secret Santa : Have employees randomly choose a recipient, set a limit on the price for each gift and watch as the creative gifts roll in.
- Christmas bonus : Rewarding employees for their hard work throughout the year is a great way to increase engagement and retention.
- Christmas party / activity : This is a great way to thank your employees for their work during the year and can offer an opportunity for team bonding and fostering a positive work culture.
To prepare for an inclusive Christmas celebration, be sure to:
- Ensure that invites are sent to everyone in the organisation.
- Consider whether the date / time coincides with other religious festivals or excludes part-time workers and carers.
- Provide affordable options as the Christmas period can cause financial stress.
- Cater for dietary requirements and remember that not everyone is comfortable in environments that serve alcohol.
- Check the accessibility requirements of any attendees and that the venue is accessible and has facilities for disabled employees.
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