Non-religious christmas-decorations?

[Natacha]

Hi Guys
Do you know what to decorate for christmas, if you don't want the religious symbolics?

[ska8er]

I would say decorate with Santa Claus-reindeer
and evergreens/mistletoe-wreathes. I celebrate
the Christian holiday with a creche Christmas
tree and Advent wreathe along with the above.

[Oscar-V3.0]

Hi Guys
Do you know what to decorate for christmas, if you don't want the religious symbolics?
Santa claus and blinking lights of different shapes and size

[Spooky_Eli]

try pentagrams.

[Natacha]

try pentagrams.

I'm not anti-religious :-D I was just wondering what other atheists do

[Spooky_Eli]

I'm not anti-religious :-D I was just wondering what other atheists doi know, twas just a joke, becides a pentagram =devil, the devl can't exisat without god so, its not really anit religous :D

[Natacha]

i know, twas just a joke, becides a pentagram =devil, the devl can't exisat without god so, its not really anit religous :D

The way I learnt it satanism is just negative atheism

[Spooky_Eli]

The way I learnt it satanism is just negative atheismwell, that's philosophical satanism, theological satanism is the devil worshiping kind

[EvaNL]

The tree was a non-religious thing, before Christianity adopted it. As to not completely jerk "heathens" away from their own beliefs the Christian churches let them keep their trees and slowly the tree became a Christmas tree. So, depending on what you see as religious, you may or may not want a Christmas tree in your house :)
Also, Christmas lights and candles are representing the light of the star that led the wise men to the manger, so that's also religious.

Santa Claus is said to have come from the Dutch Sinterklaas, who was a bishop (religious!). The Dutch settlers in America took their traditions with them and came in contact with English and other nationalities. Those saw the Dutch tradition, adopted it and moved it to Christmas.

Reindeer, elfs, all kinds of tree decorations like baubles, cookies, sugary treats are non-religious.

If I were you, I would just put up any decorations you like and not think too much about whether they might be seen as religious or not.
Have fun :)

[Jake445]

Hi Guys
Do you know what to decorate for christmas, if you don't want the religious symbolics?

My family is not religious but we still have the more Christian Christmas stuff because it's traditional I guess. As for non-religious, I think Christmas light work very well if they are yellow or white.

[Adamant]

tbh I think most Christmas decorations are non-religious.
Santa and elves and reindeer seem to be the main ones where I live.

[mattsmith48]

Anything not related to Jesus or other things that don't exists, except of course for Santa and the flying reindeer

[Spooky_Eli]

Anything not related to Jesus or other things that don't exists, except of course for Santa and the flying reindeer
"doesn't exist" not "don't exists"

[mattsmith48]

"doesn't exist" not "don't exists"

Thank you :)

[Spooky_Eli]

Thank you :)your sarcasm needs work.

[mattsmith48]

your sarcasm needs work.

Not sarcasm, it was 100% sincere

[Spooky_Eli]

Not sarcasm, it was 100% sincere
*ssigh* yet the spelling remains.

[Zika]

It's all about your comfort level. Santa Clause, the reindeer and sleigh, tree, lights, wreaths....they've all been adopted as part of the Christmas celebration. By definition, every Christmas decoration is religious, whether or not it has a direct relationship to the celebration of the birth of Christ.

The idea that these are winter decorations is silly and in the US, an end run around the separation of church and state.

But in general, creche scenes, depictions of Christ, a crucifix of course...are all seen as more religious oriented than the symbols co-opted from the Pagan celebration of winter solstice (which is why Christmas is celebrated around that time of year, rather then the spring, when Jesus was actually born).

If you want to decorate but not have it appear to be Christmas decoration, just do any kind of festive decorations. Cartoon characters, candles, ornaments made out of food. Whatever makes you feel good and doesn't conflict with your athiest beliefs. That's all that matters.

I'd be curious to know what you decide.

[Adamant]

It's all about your comfort level. Santa Clause, the reindeer and sleigh, tree, lights, wreaths....they've all been adopted as part of the Christmas celebration. By definition, every Christmas decoration is religious, whether or not it has a direct relationship to the celebration of the birth of Christ.

The idea that these are winter decorations is silly and in the US, an end run around the separation of church and state.

But in general, creche scenes, depictions of Christ, a crucifix of course...are all seen as more religious oriented than the symbols co-opted from the Pagan celebration of winter solstice (which is why Christmas is celebrated around that time of year, rather then the spring, when Jesus was actually born).

If you want to decorate but not have it appear to be Christmas decoration, just do any kind of festive decorations. Cartoon characters, candles, ornaments made out of food. Whatever makes you feel good and doesn't conflict with your athiest beliefs. That's all that matters.

I'd be curious to know what you decide.

I get what you are saying about santa being mixed up with Christmas/Christian ideas but Santa etc reslly turns it into a non-religious shopping festival. Dince the o.p asked for non-relugious ideas I think they would do.

[Jinglebottom]

Please stay on topic. Further off-topic posts will be deleted. Thank you.

[Zika]

Please stay on topic. Further off-topic posts will be deleted. Thank you.
which posts are you referring to as being off topic?

[Zika]

I get what you are saying about santa being mixed up with Christmas/Christian ideas but Santa etc reslly turns it into a non-religious shopping festival. Dince the o.p asked for non-relugious ideas I think they would do.

While it's true, Christmas has largely become a commercial event and many of the symbols of Christmas were co-opted from Pagan rituals to get them to convert, they none the less are now part of the religious holiday.

As I said, it's a matter of what's the OP's comfort level with these religious symbols. If she puts up a Santa and sleigh, will she feel that's promoting a religious belief to which she doesn't subscribe?
My understanding of her question is how could she decorate during this festive season without using symbols of the religious holiday. Santa is certainly a symbol of Christmas, not considered as religious as a Nativity scene, but religious none the less.

[breaux]

just stick to christmas related stuff like light chains and santas. don't do jesus' birthday stuff. avoid any decoration with a child in a manger and you should be just fine

[Dav1d]

In the US, Christmas is basically a national holiday. Very few people conside it a religious holiday. My Jewish friend decorates his house with lights every December.

[Oscar-V3.0]

In the US, Christmas is basically a national holiday. Very few people conside it a religious holiday. My Jewish friend decorates his house with lights every December.
And I guess muslim kids and jewish kids get presents too even if it is a catholic celebration :P

[Falcons_11]

Santa Claus can be construed as a religious symbol as he is a representation of the Christian St. Nicholas. As for non-religious symbols perhaps using wreathes or holly and maybe reindeers can be used.

[Adamant]

Santa Claus can be construed as a religious symbol as he is a representation of the Christian St. Nicholas. As for non-religious symbols perhaps using wreathes or holly and maybe reindeers can be used.

I agree thst Santa comes from St. Nicholas but tbh nobody I know thinks of that. He kind of replaces Jesus as the main Christmas person so maybe not very Christian at all.

[Falcons_11]

I agree thst Santa comes from St. Nicholas but tbh nobody I know thinks of that. He kind of replaces Jesus as the main Christmas person so maybe not very Christian at all.

I certainly would agree with you on that point. Great many people seem to have forgotten what is the real meaning of Christmas. It is to celebrate of the birth of Jesus Christ. But, in the last two centuries that all but has been mostly forgotten by many people and replaced by commercialization of the holiday. It's become more about gift giving instead of thanks giving.

[Oscar-V3.0]

It's become more about gift giving instead of thanks giving.
Is thanks giving not in November already? :P

[Falcons_11]

Is thanks giving not in November already? :P

Yes. Thanksgiving is a holiday in the US in November. But it this post I was not referring to this holiday. I was referring to the act of giving thanks (note: it's not capitalized).

[Diable rouge]

Christmas in itself has been "created" to replace a Mithraic celebration for the winter solstice. It has always been a religious celebration. Even if you don't use religious decorations and words, it will still be religious in itself.