Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays

[Paulhoff]

X-Mas was used a lot when I was a kid, it was just a short-hand way to make a road-side sign. And there is an old song called Happpy Holidays.

If is hasn't been posted already



Paul



Christains, pull your head out.

 

[WitchyWoman]

I'm with Sledge, they are wishing you happiness and peace. Roll with it, Smile and wish it back. You may find yourself smiling just alittle more.

Bright Blessings.

 

[pgwenthold]

I have to admit, I think this thread is built on a faulty premise. I don't think overall there are a lot of people who are "offended" by "merry christmas," and that is reflected in this thread. The real problem that arises is with the people who are offended when someone says "Happy Holidays" instead of "merry christmas."

Stores say happy holidays not because they are worried that people will be offended by merry christmas, but because they recognize that they have customers who don't celebrate christmas, and they want to include those customers in their activities.

Compare it to walking down the street. You could just walk on, keeping to yourself. Fine, no one is going to be offended by that. However, just to be friendly, you smile and say hi to the people you meet. Would Bill OReilly complain about that? Is that "anti-people who keep to themselves when walking"?

In the end, the question to me isn't "Why is anyone offended when someone says merry christmas?" but instead, "Why is anyone offended when I chose to say happy holidays instead?" Because I think there are a lot more of the latter than the former.

 

[Paulhoff]

Happy Holidays also includes New Years Day.

Paul

 

[decojuicer]

If I initiate the well wishing, it is always Happy Holidays. I do this because I live in a diverse area, with many different religions and cultures, and I want to be as inclusive as possible. Also, because Christmas is only one day, where as I feel that the "holidays" are celebrated for several weeks.

If I am responding, I very my response to what was wished to me. If it's "Happy Holidays", then I will usually respond with a genuine smile and, "and you too." Now if I'm wished a specific holiday, like happy Hanukah or merry Christmas, then I always respond with "and a delightful Winter Solstice to you." I think that it's only fair.

 

[BardKesnit]

I care as I do not know why someone would not let Christians express themselves like others do. I even bought a button that says, "It's ok to wish me a Merry Christmas."

How would you feel if someone wished you Happy Hanukkah? Or Blessed Ramadan? (Which didn't fall in December this year, but did a few years ago.) Or Happy Kwanzaa?

For those who celebrate those holidays, do you think they want to be wished Merry Christmas? THAT is the reason Happy Holidays is becoming more common. Because there are a lot of holidays this time of year, and it's rude to focus on just one.

 

[ponderingturtle]

I care as I do not know why someone would not let Christians express themselves like others do. I even bought a button that says, "It's ok to wish me a Merry Christmas."

What other religion has demands that people in stores great them in the name of a specific one day holiday for an entire month?

 

[shawmutt]

I try to be accommodating as possible when folks wish me well:

Them: Merry Christmas!
Me: Go **** yourself.

Them: Happy Holidays!
Me: Go **** yourself.

Them: Season's Greetings!
Me: Go **** yourself.

I think the pattern is established.

I mean seriously, the OP is a lesson on irony. Christians upset because the stores aren't "Christmassy" enough? We all know the real reason for the season--and what Jesus wanted--is to buy a bunch of expensive stuff nobody needs. And if a store isn't Christmassy enough, **** them, we're going to Walmart. If I didn't live in the area I do I'd swear the web site was a parody.