Gifts to Non-Jews around Their Holidays
25. It is very common for Jews to have dealings with non-Jews, either as employers or employees of non-Jews. When their holiday season arrives, it is customary for people to give gifts to each other. Since the Jew usually benefits from giving the gift, there is no problem of לא תחנם, as mentioned. However, this raises other shailos regarding the type of gift and accompanying well-wishes, as will be explained.
Business with a Non-Jew in Their Holiday Season
26. In early times, when non-Jews were more devoted to avoda zara, it was assur to do business with, buy from, sell to, or give a gift to them – even in a mutar way – during their holidays, and during the three days prior in Eretz Yisroel. This is because doing this would cause them to go and thank their avoda zara for their gains (שו''ע יו''ד סי' קמ''ח ). A Jew who did this violated the lav of lifnei iver, as non-Jews are also commanded not to do avoda zara (see above, 8).
27. Today, though, they are not devoted to avoda zara like they once were, they do not go thank their deities for their gains, and there is also a concern for animosity if we do not relate toward them as they expect is proper. Thus, strictly speaking, one may do business with them or give them gifts even during the period of their holidays (שו''ע שם סי''ב, רמ''א שם ).
Things to Avoid during Their Holidays
28. Rejoicing with them. Still, a scrupulous person will stay far away from rejoicing with them if he can do so without causing animosity (רמ''א שם ).
29. Not on that day. Also, one should be careful, if possible, not to send a gift on that day itself. Instead, he should send it before or after, or even on the evening prior to the actual day (רמ''א שם ).
30. Avoda zara-related items. Although we are meikel nowadays on all sorts of business dealings on their holiday, one should make sure even today not to do business with them on their holiday with items related to their religion (דרכ''ת סי' קמ''ח סק''י בשם כנה''ג ).
