Here’s a good communication rule to follow: Say what you mean and mean what you say.

In the days proceeding December 25, some people say, “Merry Christmas” while others say, “Happy Holidays”. I prefer “Merry Christmas” as it clarifies which holiday you are referring to. Rather than being defiant, mean or stubborn, I will accept the fact that some people just prefer to say or hear “Happy Holidays”. But this does have an unintended negative side that, if you are a bit observant, is rather funny. Take Wal*Mart for example. Now I’m sure there are many examples of this but since I was shopping at Wal*Mart I will give them some credit for inspiring me to write this. But first, let’s review.

The word Holiday could be defined as official or unofficial observances of religious, national, cultural, or other significance, often accompanied by celebrations or festivities. Paraphrased from Wikipedia. On a typical United States calendar February 14 is labeled “Valentine’s Day”, indicating that it is recognized as a holiday. There are conflicting stories regarding a Christian man named Valentine living hundreds of years ago. You can research that yourself. For my purposes here I think we can all agree that Valentine’s Day is in fact a holiday. Now, back to Wal*Mart.

As my wife and I were picking over some remaining Christmas items on the almost-empty shelves I noticed a sign that said, “75% Off All Holiday Items”. Since this was January 3, I realize that they probably meant Christmas items but that is not what they said. Are any of my lawyer friends reading this? What matters in a court of law; what was meant, or what is in writing? The sign said, “75% Off All Holiday Items”. So I ask you, is Valentine’s Day a holiday? Yes. Does Wal*Mart sell Valentine’s Day items? Oh, yes! So unless they want to look like liars they should give you a 75% discount on all Valentine’s Day items. That is what the sign says. It doesn’t say 75% Off All Christmas Items.

Now I don’t know why stores have decided to offend those of us who take Christmas seriously by not saying “Merry Christmas” anymore but I am sure they didn’t intend to mark down prices on holiday’s that haven’t happened yet. Still, if someone (Yes, I am suggesting you.) were to go there today and attempt to buy Valentine’s Day items at 75% off I would hope that someone with tenacity and a brain would allow the price override and sell the items at the discount as the sign states. It may make management think about the words they use and the meaning in those words.

Christmas is a holiday, yet it is much more than that. Because I am a Christian I celebrate the birth of Christ at Christmas. Forgive me if I have seemed too obstinate about this. I have attempted to have a lighthearted look at how ridiculous it is to refer to Christmas as merely a holiday. What other holiday is referred to so much as a holiday and not referred to by its name? On February 14 will you give someone special a holiday card? Will you give someone you love some holiday chocolate? On Mother’s Day will you give your mom a hug and say, “Happy Holiday Mom”? My mom would look at me and say, “Wha- what happened to Happy Mother’s Day”? Then why at Christmas is there such an absurd attempt to not say, “Merry Christmas”? Is someone being intolerant toward Christmas?