Work holiday party - how to include everyone..

[lillygator]

We usually call it a "holiday" party but we do have a few JW (don't know how to spell it) who won't/can't/don't come. Since I don't pretend to know anything about the religion and don't feel comfortable asking them - what would we need to change about our party to have them included? I do find that while they don't attend the party they will eat the goodies and leftovers that are set in the kitchen immediatley after - so I am guessing it isn't a food issue. Is it just the decorations and wording of the party?

 

[SEAlla]

We have a lady here that is JW. I can tell you she won't do any party of any kind. It is against their beliefs I believe.

Many years ago I knew a girl that was the same way, no parties or celebrations.

 

[stinkerbelle]

We have a lady here that is JW. I can tell you she won't do any party of any kind. It is against their beliefs I believe.

Many years ago I knew a girl that was the same way, no parties or celebrations.

Yep. We have some JW converts in my family.
They celebrate NOTHING.


(which I find funny...cause one of them sent me a baby shower invite...so I guess those people in my extended family pick and choose when to be a JW)

 

[Christine]

There is nothing you can do to include them. Don't even try. As others have said, they can "celebrate" in no way, shape, or form. But they can eat food. The best you can do is save them a nice plate of goodies!

 

[SEAlla]

(which I find funny...cause one of them sent me a baby shower invite...so I guess those people in my extended family pick and choose when to be a JW)

Yep. The girl I knew many years ago who was JW committed adultry but her DS couldn't have a birthday party. Go figure...

 

[Sandy V.]

There really isn't much that you can do to include them, other than make sure they know they are welcome to partake in the food. I'm not a JW, but I have a close friend who is.

They don't celebrate Christmas, birthdays, etc., because of their interpretations of how the Bible treats these events. My friend DOES celebrate wedding anniversaries; in fact that's when she and her husband go all out for each other.

Just speaking for what my friend tells me, please do NOT try and push the "holiday" party on them. They really do not participate in Christmas celebrations, they don't send Christmas cards, give or receive Christmas presents, and the like. I don't think they'll feel "left out" at all - just be warm and welcoming while giving them the opportunity to participate as they want/don't want.

 

[Pooh67_68]

The best you can do is save them a nice plate of goodies!

My dh works with a Jehovah Witness and his family would not go to any party no matter what it was called.

 

[stinkerbelle]

they don't send Christmas cards, give or receive Christmas presents, and the like.

ok - how horrible is this.

right now, my grandmother is living with the JW converts in the family.

I send my grandmother a christmas card EVERY YEAR without fail. (the woman is 94 god bless her)

Heck yeah I sent this card to their house in her name...hopefully she gets it.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yep. The girl I knew many years ago who was JW committed adultry but her DS couldn't have a birthday party. Go figure...

My brother was dating a JW. Oh she smoked, drank, and used it as her excuse to pick and choose what she would come to.
She expected my brother to buy her "Surprises" (aka gifts )

The only thing I can think of is to call it a get together with snacks.
Dinner Party? But if you are going to have decorations then they won't come, so it doesn't matter.

 

[lillygator]

Well I won't worry about making them feel left out...do you think they would be offended at rec'ing an invitation? I mean we (as in the office) know they practice this religion...I would think it would be more rude not to send one but heck - I'm learning the older I get - the less I seem to know!

 

[melk]

We usually call it a "holiday" party but we do have a few JW (don't know how to spell it) who won't/can't/don't come. Since I don't pretend to know anything about the religion and don't feel comfortable asking them - what would we need to change about our party to have them included? I do find that while they don't attend the party they will eat the goodies and leftovers that are set in the kitchen immediatley after - so I am guessing it isn't a food issue. Is it just the decorations and wording of the party?

If the party is for a holiday that has pagan origins (i.e pretty much all of them), they won't participate. Don't feel funny about bringing it up with them, you should explain that you feel bad leaving them out. But I'm sure they feel they're not missing out on anything.