Alright, the "holidays" are approaching and this gets brought up every year in my office. Whats acceptable to display? Christmas Trees? Only things that say "Happy Holidays"? Santa?
Trees and Santa are OK! Avoid a manger scene or anything religious - if a resident says Merry Christmas to you then say it back if you feel like doing so.
OK to use: Fair Housing Friendly Holiday Decorations
Fruit
Bows
Candles (no religious)
Candy Canes
Gingerbread
Snowmen - Snow - Snowflakes
Glitter
Greenery
Holly
Icicles
Sleds
Gold or Silver Red or Green
Mistletoe
Pine Cones
Plain or Colored lights
Poinsettias
Reindeer
Bells
Cranberries
Teddy Bears
Trees
Wreaths
Rule #1: Know your audience. If you have a group of residents that are going to get offended, don't do it, or alternately let them add their decoration too.
I had one particularly cranky resident who objected loudly about our tree decorated with gold and bronze butterflies. She was Jewish and wanted to be represented. She volunteered to lead any neighbors who were interested through the nightly Hanukkah prayers and was able to share in a prominent place near the tree. It was a lovely solution and we all learned about the traditions and meanings behind this holy holiday for our Jewish neighbors. This may not be a blanket solution but worked well at this community. As was mentioned earlier know your audience!
5 years 11 months ago#24328by Heather Everett King
Decorating Christmas as a Holiday is fine, just no baby Jesus or religious music. You are not obligated to decorate for every religion because you are not decorating for any religion
You do what you're comfortable with. With that said, be respectful to not make others uncomfortable -- or better said, try to make everyone comfortable, although that's not likely possible...
To be sure no misunderstanding; of course, it is a Christian holiday. Our personal opinions are not relevant where fair housing is concerned. In the housing industry, the point is, don't use any religious symbols in any decorating efforts. We don't use a particular religious symbol because it would be darn near impossible to have every religion honored.