To Reb Joseph.
Actual questions asked and the response.
1: Q. If kids come trick or treating may we give them candy.
A. Yes. You may even say happy halloween, enjoy the candy.
2: Q. My office has a holiday gift giving party, may I participate (everyone is randomly given a co worker to buy a gift, part of the “game” is for the receiver to figure out who purchased the gift. It is called “holiday” party so as not to “offend” those who do not celebrate on the 25th (who are in the minority), but we all know what it really is.
A. Yes.
3: Q. May I attend my companies holiday party.
A. Yes. Of course, use your seichel, attendance doesnt mean drinking and partying.
4: Q. May we give the bus driver, mailman, newspaper boy a holiday gift.
A. Yes.
I am not in the business of second guessing my Rav, so, for the reasons why he answered the way he did, I will defer until such time that I decide to ask.