Happy Holidays or merry Christmas - what do you prefer to say and why?
Are we at risk or losing our cultural identities by saying "Happy Holidays" rather than Merry Christmas? I wish Muslims Eid Mubarak and other appropriate good wishes to friends from other cultures celebrating Diwali, Hanukah etc. I am not a church goer but to me Christmas is an important cultural event that reflects more than just a religious belief.
Happy holidays right now because Thanksgiving hasn't passed yet. But I always say Merry Christmas during December.
In today's society, the majority who celebrate Christmas do so to celebrate family and friends gathering to share in a year end celebration filled with levity, gift giving, and an excuse to eat and drink too much.
So, how one addresses it is of little importance, and of little significance.
Just enjoy the holidays in any way that we choose and ignore those who try to put their personal depictions onto others.
Growing up in the 90s I don't remember anyone having a problem with the phrase 'happy holidays'. I always just assumed that it was a blanket greeting to cover thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. So, it seemed more like a happy accident that it covered other religious holidays as well.
When the 'war' on Christmas surfaced in the 2000s, the backlash seemed so sudden and violent that it looked as if 'happy holidays' was the phrase that was actually under attack. I wrote a hub about this phenomenon, but I do feel like the debate had the opposite effect of what it was intending. The point was that people should be free to say Merry Christmas if they wanted to. But the overreaction was so extreme that now people feel afraid to say Happy Holidays without offending the Merry Christmas crowd. There were business boycotts because they didn't say 'Merry Christmas' in their advertisements. This is all completely ridiculous. Any greeting is better than a stick in the eye.
I somewhat agree with you. I do wonder if a "generic" saying is acceptable regarding Christmas why it isn't acceptable for the other religious holidays. I think any saying should be given and received in the spirit of community whatever the words.
I will be greeting proudly with "Merry Christmas" as I believe Jesus is the reason for the season. This is America. And I will not be joining the politically "correct".
To me, the definition of "Happy Holidays" means Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.
"Merry Christmas" just is focused on Christmas.
Both are different from each other.
by lyjo 11 years ago
Are you comfortable saying Merry Christmas or do you say Happy Holidays? Why? Do you know the...right thing to say to the right person? Do you think we have become too Politically Correct?
by Wendy Iturrizaga 14 years ago
After a year filled with numerous ups and downs, it is my sincere wish for all of us to have a good and peaceful holiday season no matter what. May it be filled with countless blessings, love, good health, greater prosperity, and joy. With the New Year almost upon us, may 2010 be a much...
by bayareagreatthing 12 years ago
Do you like someone to say, "Happy holidays," or "Merry Christmas?" Why?
by Beth100 13 years ago
to everyone!!!I know it's a bit early, but I'll be losing my connection to the outside world in exactly 30 minutes.Celebrate in style and stay safe everyone!See y'all in 2011 if not sooner!Beth
by Kenneth Wayne 7 years ago
Just curious why you can't say Merry Christmas anymore? I have never got upset when someone said Happy Hanukkah. The way I see it, someone is just wishing good times based on whatever their background is. I think it's very nice. I'm sure I'll regret the onslaught of religious debates that will...
by Flightkeeper 13 years ago
Are you doing anything to make it more Christ centered? I was thinking of taking out the Christmas tree, the stockings, Santa Claus, the Nutcracker figures. Heck I didn't realize I had all this stuff. Maybe I'll have a small tree and just put lights. I have a Nativity...
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