I'm don't mind "Happy Holidays" when it's wished in a general sense, and you're not sure which holiday someone celebrates.
But, this nonsense goes too far when it's December 18th, and Hanukkah and Ramadan are now behind us.
I received emails this morning from Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Borders, ToysRUs, etc., letting me know that if I order TODAY, I can get my delivery "in time for the Holidays". So, why don't they just say, "in time for Christmas"? Are there people that actually order ahead in December 2007 for Ramadan and Hanukkah 2008?
And, are the post office and your bank closed for the "Holiday"? Or are they closed for "Christmas"?
Why is everyone afraid to say, "Merry Christmas!!"?
17 comments:
sign of the time!!!!
i'm not... i figure that since i'm serving people "christmas blend" i can say, "merry christmas." besides, everyone i've asked, "are you ready for christmas?" always answers with a smile on their face. i guess i'm waiting for someone to get mad at me for saying the word.
how about the new trend with the "holiday tree?"
Merry Christmas to all!
I enjoy Christmas greetings!
I have to wonder about people who send cards that say "Seasons Greetings."
C'mon folks...it's CHRISTMAS...you know, snow flakes and cheer, Jesus' Birthday, Santa, a Christmas tree, wide-eyed children's wonderment...C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S.
All you SP's: Deal with it! It's a wonderful holiday! Enjoy it and don't be afraid of being PC!!!
again...
Merry Christmas to all.
Okay, I have to shed another perspective on this one. Even though Hanukkah and Ramadan and all the other holidays around this time have passed, you still don't necessarily want to wish someone "Merry Christmas" who isn't celebrating it. I suppose if you live in a homoogenous population, it would appear to be a bit of "PC" to wish "Happy Holidays" instead of Merry Christmas, but in the region we live, it is a reality that a HUGE percentage of people are NOT Christian. We ordered cards (which we should receive today!), that say, "Happy Holidays". We actually typed in, "Merry Christmas" at first, but then we realized that we would be sending them to several Jewish friends and a couple of Hindus, it just seemed rude.
When I send the cards out, I will write, "Merry Christmas" to all those I know are Christian.
Easy.
Merry Christmas, can't wait to see you all!!
-Lori
Ok...so my cards say Season's Greetings..and most if not everyone that I send my cards to our Christian but I guess I have just learned to become PC. Look at it the other way, if a Jewish person wished you a Happy Hanukkah it may feel weird since that is not what you celebrate. I find it easier to wrap it all into one nice PC saying!
My original point was about vendors and retailers who are making the big final push to sell for the "holiday", or government and banking employees who will be off on December 25, which everyone knows is Christmas. Yet, they are hesitant to use that specific word.
No one avoids saying it's New Year's Day, Lincoln's birthday or Valentine's Day, which are always on January 1, February 12 and February 14. So, why does everyone tip-toe around saying Christmas, which is always on December 25th?
I dunno, it just seems incongruous.
=(
Well, the retailers, aren't really celebrating "Christmas" anyway. You are right that they are making the "big push" for sales. Perhaps it is best that they leave "Christ" out of it anyway, eh?
I kinda see your point when you are talking the specifics of December 25.
All-in-all, I think there is a good blend for everyone - secular aspects, "holiday" aspects for those celebrating other traditions, and I don't think "Christ" will ever be taken out of Christmas.
Speaking of Christmas, only 4 days to go!!! (only 4 days to go? how did that happen?)
Love to all,
Lori
I think it is fair to say that for our society as a whole (including Christian, Jew, Hindu, etc), Christmas is more focused on the giving gifts, Santa, and decorating than it is on Jesus. Yet, we still call the day "Christ-mas" - because of that, I think it is ok to say "Merry Christmas" since the actual day is called "Christmas."
I am pretty sure when most people say "Merry Christmas" they are hoping you have a fun and special day with your family and there is no underlying spiritual implication. And, even if there is a spiritual implication, most people would assume you mean the "fun and special day with your family" meaning, anyway.
Technically, if we want to be really PC, we wouldn't even say "Happy Holidays" because Jehovah Witnesses (and probably other religions) actually don't celebrate any holiday and we risk offending them by esteeming any day above another... kind of interesting =)
Another point is that Easter is a holiday that celebrates Jesus' resurection, yet we don't say "Happy Holiday" then. We say "Happy Easter."
Interesting discussion and points by everyone =)
I can't WAIT to see you all next week! And I am so excited to meet Ellie!
Very insightful, Jessica. I think you captured my intent.
Oh, and I did forget one holiday still coming up, but to my knowledge not many people celebrate it: Kwanzaa. It is right after Christmas.
I have never heard of Kwanzaa... what is it celebrating? Who celebrates it?
http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.shtml
Cut and paste; Google it if the link doesn't work!
Im not afraid. I look at it this way. It is wishing someone the best based on what I believe and no matter what they believe in that should be a positive thing. Merry Christmas. I got your point quite clearly and I agree with you on the holiday shopping thing.
Have you seen the Publix comercial where the family is celebrating Kwanzaa? They are exchanging presents that I assume are Kwanzaa presents? I really don't know. Do people that celebrate Kwanzaa not believe in God? I am so confused this time of year.
Good point Jessica! LOL
i don't remember who said it, but someone commented that you might feel a little awkward if someone said, "happy hannukah!" to you... i have to disagree. personally, i LIKE knowing what other people believe and where they're coming from. if i was to say, "merry christmas!" to someone, and they didn't get offended but just smiled and said, "well then, happy hannukah to you!" i would find that really awesome. my point is that people shouldn't be offended no matter what the word. the word christmas is NOT derragatory, and, beside the point, christmas is the next calendar holiday.
also, since christmas is the holiday people use the idea of santa, should we take santas out of storefronts, out of the mall centers, and off the shelves because "some people might get offended?" i don't think so. i think it's just getting ridiculous that instead of people continuing on in what america was founded on -freedom of belief (and ACCEPTANCE of those reliefs and religions) the country has decided that everyone can just be "politically correct," ... still publicizing holidays, without saying what they are? besides, what is politically correct? someday is it going to get to the point where we can't say the words, "i'm wearing a black shirt," because it could offend a nearby african-american?
i don't know. i feel pretty strongly about this, for some reason, so i apologize for my rambling... but to sum it up, i figure that
1) as long as starbucks was serving christmas blend, i can say merry christmas when i am at work (which i'm actually not working there anymore as of friday, so i guess that is kind of an invalid point:) )
2) as long as the first amendment stands, it is my right as a red-blooded american to say, "merry christmas!"
3) people shouldn't be offended. i won't get offended by your use of the words hannukah or kwaanza.
4) since christmas IS the actual next calendar holiday, it makes SENSE to wish people that a good day, just as i would say, "have a good weekend!" to someone on a friday afternoon.
p.s. i'm sorry about that long post. i was almost an english major... i tend to expound upon my ideas without realizing how much i've written:)
Don't apologize, Elizabeth! I enjoy reading your viewpoint.
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