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Go right ahead! It will be received in recognition of the spirit of giving.
100+ years ago, gift-giving at Chanukah was very minor. There were (and still are) 8 nights of lighting the candles and giving gifts to the kids, but they were generally small, inexpensive gifts. With the spread of Christmas as a secular celebration, Jewish gifts at Chanukah have come to rival the level of giving among Christians at Christmas.
It is perfectly okay, and a very nice gesture, to give your Jewish boss a Chanukah gift.
100+ years ago, gift-giving at Chanukah was very minor. There were (and still are) 8 nights of lighting the candles and giving gifts to the kids, but they were generally small, inexpensive gifts. With the spread of Christmas as a secular celebration, Jewish gifts at Chanukah have come to rival the level of giving among Christians at Christmas.
It is perfectly okay, and a very nice gesture, to give your Jewish boss a Chanukah gift.
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Thanks alot Daha!
This very Milquetoasty answer still doesn't address the issue that this is an employee giving a gift to their boss. Uh, wasn't that part of the question??
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Might as well. It will get you props. People receive 12 gifts for Hannukah, but you don't have to go all out and buy one for each day for them. I would actually just buy them something reasonable and then tell them its a Christmas/Hannukah gift. Let them know that you respect that they celebrate a different holiday, but don't feel obligated to follow any specific Jewish ritual. You're already going out of your way to do something nice, so give it however you want to.
If you're going to give your boss a present, and he's Jewish, you should buy him a Chanukah present!
Yes, even if he doesn't celebrate it, you can still give him a nice "holiday gift". I give friends who are Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist presents. I give a card that says "Happy Holiday" instead of Merry Christmas if you want to be politically correct.
Yes. My Jewish friends have always been pleased when I remember their holidays. I think it surprises them!
The "protocol" is not all that different with Chanakah as it is with Christmas. You buy a thoughtful or meaningful gift and give it. I wouldn't even designate it as a gift for either holiday, just give it and say Happy Holidays.
Gift giving in the office place is a tricky thing. In my experience, it's usually best to have your whole team go in on something, but make it a "holiday" gift, not a Hanukkah present.
There are several religious holidays around this time of year, and I'm sure the thought will be appreciated.
There are several religious holidays around this time of year, and I'm sure the thought will be appreciated.
I say if you feel inclined to give him a gift, then do so. Would you hesitate to get him a gift if he were Christian instead of Jewish?
source(s):
personal opinion
personal opinion
I appreciate your answer, I guess I should rephrase a bit. I always thought Chanukah gift giving was more about parents and grandparents giving the children gifts. I just wanted to know if friends/coworkers, etc give gifts to one another, and as I see from the other answers that does seem to be the case.
I would say yes. There is no protocol for Chanukah gifts, no limitations. I say this as a jew of 17 years (all my life)
source(s):
My 17 years of Chanukah
My 17 years of Chanukah
What would Jesus do?
Jesus would have whittled a sharp stick in his carpenter's hut -- and poked your eye with it, you dolt!
I think that if this person is someone that you want to give a gift to, be it christmas, Chanukah or whatever, go ahead and give them a gift. If they are offended by your gracious gesture, that is truly their problem.
We give little gifts to some Jewish relatives, and they've never been offended.
source(s):
personal experience
personal experience
You should give him 8 small gifts because that is the custom for Hannukah and it never helps to get on his good side.
As a Christian myself, I think we're often seen as being very isolated/disconnected/judgemental of other religions - so what better way to show that you're not one of the "religious crowd" than by giving someone a gift that relates to their religious beliefs. It's kinda like saying (very subtly) "I'm cool with you and I having different beliefs" and might actually open up opportunities for some meaningful dialogue.
This answer really cuts to the core of what the question-asker was getting at. It is clear that the REAL question is that a Christian person had to ask permission by the Mahalo community in order to give a gift to a Jew. For without permission, it would be a sin.
well it's a "gochya" question... haha I mean you don't have to get him something related to Chanukah, and certainly you don't have to act as if you participate in it with him.. calling it a "holiday gift" will be just fine...
I don't think it's unbiblical to buy a gift for someone during Christmas just because their not a Christian haha
I don't think it's unbiblical to buy a gift for someone during Christmas just because their not a Christian haha
You really need to "look outside the box" regarding this question!
First of all, the individual is your boss. It doesn't matter if he's from the Moon and you are considering a gift of "green cheese" -- gifts to boss's always send the wrong idea: first and foremost, that you are trying to curry favor(s) in the work environment. That, my friend, is always a bad idea -- and is apt to backfire on you in numerous ways: You are labeled as the "kiss up" if the boss mentions it to another co-worker.
If you want to make brownie points with the boss, and also send a signal of appreciation -- consider taking him or her out to a "holiday lunch" somewhere locally. The nice thing about this is the "face time" you will get -- and a chance to get to know your boss better.
If you MUST give a gift, . . . then bite the bullet and give everyone in your work team/department a Holiday Card and include a $5.00 Starbucks card. That way, you are giving to your boss, but not singling him/her out.
Of course, "your mileage may vary."
BY THE WAY --> If your question is one of those "Should I as a Christian even acknowledge another religion at all? Could I conceivably be sinning by buying a gift to a religion that signifies that Jesus Christ is not the acknowledged savior of all humanity?" Well, you'll have to pray about that one my friend. No one can answer that question for you!
First of all, the individual is your boss. It doesn't matter if he's from the Moon and you are considering a gift of "green cheese" -- gifts to boss's always send the wrong idea: first and foremost, that you are trying to curry favor(s) in the work environment. That, my friend, is always a bad idea -- and is apt to backfire on you in numerous ways: You are labeled as the "kiss up" if the boss mentions it to another co-worker.
If you want to make brownie points with the boss, and also send a signal of appreciation -- consider taking him or her out to a "holiday lunch" somewhere locally. The nice thing about this is the "face time" you will get -- and a chance to get to know your boss better.
If you MUST give a gift, . . . then bite the bullet and give everyone in your work team/department a Holiday Card and include a $5.00 Starbucks card. That way, you are giving to your boss, but not singling him/her out.
Of course, "your mileage may vary."
BY THE WAY --> If your question is one of those "Should I as a Christian even acknowledge another religion at all? Could I conceivably be sinning by buying a gift to a religion that signifies that Jesus Christ is not the acknowledged savior of all humanity?" Well, you'll have to pray about that one my friend. No one can answer that question for you!
no.
YOU MUST BUY HIM EIGHT!
YOU MUST BUY HIM EIGHT!
source(s):
I saw fiddler on the roof once.
I saw fiddler on the roof once.
yes, paul says "I am all things to all people so that I might save some"
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