"Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays"?

[Russianwolf]

I use Happy Holidays. All inclusive.

I think it's actually sad that we have this gift giving holiday and religious holiday on the same day. This wasn't always the case and in some areas it isn't even today. In Russia, the 25th is the religious holiday. They have a "christmas tree" decorations and gifts on New Years.

I am no longer religious, but I was raised as a religious person and my family drove the two ideas as seperate entities. One being a occasion to reflect on yourself and the meaning of it all. The other to be merry and generous.

Another tradition that has changed is the idea of the christmas tree. Way back when, Santa brought the tree christmas night along with the gifts. traditions change.

[p8ntblr]

Merry Christmas.

I would be honored if someone of another religious persuasion offered me good wishes on their holiday.

JR

My thoughts exactly.

[ChrisD]

It's "Merry Christmas" until it becomes an actual threat to job security.

[big tim]

Merry Christmas!

Further to Mike's (RussianWolf) comment: back home...... funny, I still say back home, even though I've been in Canada 54 years now, anyway back in Holland Christmas was strictly a religious holiday, celebrating the birth of Christ. We had a manger and a small tree with real candles which were lit briefly after midnight Mass and with dinner and of course carefully watched. No gift giving. St. Nicholasday, Dec. the 6th was present day. And that day had really nothing to do with Christmas.
Mind you some of the commercial aspect of Christmas has been creeping into their traditions as well now.

So to all a Merry Christmas and a Happy healthy New Year.

Tim

[ragswl4]

Its Merry Christmas and all that it means. Shouldn't offend anyone. If it does then they need to "get a life".

[chopnhack]

MC for me too!

[Richard in Smithville]

I voted Merry Christmas...since that's what the holiday is, right?

[mater]

Merry Christmas. Sounds like you have some good neighbors Bruce.

[dkerfoot]

I generally go with Merry Christmas unless I know someone doesn't celebrate it. I do try to avoid all the culture war stuff though. I'd much rather invite people in than push them away.

I did think it was a little funny when Mike Huckabee mentioned the birth of Christ in his "Merry Christmas" commercial and people acted as though scandalized. It seems some folks haven't given much consideration to the root of the word Christmas. (Legal Disclaimer: This shouldn't be considered a comment on the candidate, politics in general or religion. I just picked it as a current example of some of the tension surrounding the whole Christmas holiday. )

I personally think if we all keep working at "good will towards men" the rest will take care of itself.

[Knottscott]

Its Merry Christmas and all that it means. Shouldn't offend anyone. If it does then they need to "get a life".

It's definitely Merry Christmas for me too Rags. I'm always puzzled by anyone claiming to be offended by the faith of others....I'm offended that they're offended! It's not exactly "The United Church of Dog Killers". I don't golf, but I don't much care if people have golf calendars or talk about golf, ya know what I mean?! ... .

[Wood_workur]

Happy holidays and seasons greetings are too lazy. I prefer to say Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and Happy Kwanzaa instead.

[jabe]

I prefer "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!" But, being a former public school teacher we were made aware to be politically correct and say Happy Holidays. There would always be a kid & their parents complaining about saying Merry Christmas in school so we had to comply. So this being engrained in me for many years, I find myself saying "Happy Holidays" more often. I still voted Marry Christmas.

[ragswl4]

It's definitely Merry Christmas for me too Rags. I'm always puzzled by anyone claiming to be offended by the faith of others....I'm offended that they're offended! It's not exactly "The United Church of Dog Killers". I don't golf, but I don't much care if people have golf calendars or talk about golf, ya know what I mean?! ... .

You couldn't be more correct, Dustmight. Some things really stick in my craw and this is one of them. I guess this is sort of a rant but here goes. This country was founded on freedom of choice of religion, meaning which ever one a person chooses to embrace. In my mind the person who is offended by the phrase "Merry Christmas" is being intolerant and possibly a bigot and would gladly take away everyone's right to freedom of religion with the possible exception of their own. An atheist has a right to be an atheist, that's how we do it here. Politically correct my a$$.

This is not meant to be a religious post but if seen as such, kindly remove it.

[Santa Clarita Len]

Len,



You're more than welcome, unless you're allergic to our 3 cats and one dog and two daughters (I'm the only male, the animals are female too.

Actually, we go to a neighbor's house, they have an open house for all "Lost Jews" and anyone else with no place to go on Christmas Day.

Bruce

Thanks for the invite, my bags are packed.

[Scottydont]

I am a non-practicing Catholic and my wife is Jewish. We celebrate both holidays. I used to wish folks Happy Holidays to be safe but I have grown tired of all the sensitivity of politic correctness when it comes to holidays. I don't celebrate Christmas for religious reasons, I do so for the time with friends and family, the gratification of gift giving and getting to feel a bit more like a kid again that sometimes is difficult to grasp in daily life. Now I lovingly say Merry Christmas. If someone gets offended I will offer a respectful apology. Some (my wife included) get offended and I wish they would consider the spirit in which the statement was made. I liked the remark "I would be honored if someone of another religious persuasion offered me good wishes on their holiday."

What is the world coming to if you can offer a positive remark to stranger? I understand that on the other hand, those who do not celebrate Christmas get tired of the commercialism of it and having employers and the government giving days of for holidays that they cannot relate.



Merry Christmas!