On holidays/birthdays

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Alt303

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I observe holy days of obligation and go to mass on Christmas, New Years Day, etc., but I don’t set up a tree, send gifts, or bother with decorations.

As for birthdays, my sisters and I text each other, but that’s about it. Usually no travelling. gifts, or paper cards. I stopped celebrating my own birthday when I was young, because it just wasn’t an enjoyable experience.

Does this violate canon law? I get reactions of bewilderment sometimes when I tell people this.
 
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Why would any of that rise to the level of canon law?

You get the reaction that you do because you are violating social/cultural norms. You are within your rights to do so, but you shouldn’t be surprised when other people are… well… surprised.
 
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And you’re right, it shouldn’t violate canon law, but it did make me wonder if I missed something in the Church’s teachings.
 
No. Nothing in Church teaching requires decorating or gift-giving. People are reacting because it’s unusual in our culture … and a little sad.
 
Maybe I shouldn’t have said “Canon Law,” but some people do act like I’ve committed a grave sin or something when I tell them I don’t really observe holidays in such a way. I do make sure I get to mass when required, though.
 
You’re free to do what you like in this regard.

In the olden days, Christmas and other holidays weren’t celebrated with the extent of materialism found nowadays.

In fact, in the English-speaking world, Christmas celebrations were fading away in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Until A Christmas Carol re-sparked interest in Christmas festivities.
 
How sad that anyone should make you feel out of sorts - especially on this forum! 😠 - just because you don’t see things through the same lens they do. No one says you have to celebrate holidays or birthdays. Good for you! Personally, I despise birthdays, but I’ll acknowledge someone’s if I know about it and it seems socially unavoidable; otherwise, I skip the whole thing and move on.
 
JulianN said:
and a little sad.
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How so? I’m afraid I can’t agree. It’s a burden lifted not to deal with all of that if one doesn’t enjoy it. There’s a certain joy in my life making it through my birthday sans acknowledgment from others because then I don’t have to confront the awkwardness of their expectations that I’m happy about it.
 
I stopped with the trees when my kids moved out. I do an advent wreath and manger scene now. My kids and mom get birthday cards. Mom gets a Christmas present as do the kids. That’s it and what I can afford. OP I think you’re fine.
 
JulianN said:
No. Nothing in Church teaching requires decorating or gift-giving. People are reacting because it’s unusual in our culture … and a little sad.
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It’s not sad when it’s time to take down the decorations and she has one less chore to do! 😉
 
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