How do you decide when to say Merry Christmas to ppl and when to say Happy Holidays? It seems that most ppl do celebrate Christmas but a few ppl who do not celebrate sometimes get bent out of shape when ppl say Merry Christmas to them. I live in a large US city (over 100,000 ppl). On the other hand, I am concerned that if I say Happy Holidays, ppl will think (mistakenly) that I don't celebrate Christmas or am an atheist or both.
2006-11-26 14:04:33 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
I just say it and if someone gets upset then that is their problem.
2006-11-26 14:06:31 · answer #1 · answered by Hannah's Grandpa 7 · 6⤊ 2⤋
I am an atheist and I say happy holidays and Merry Christmas. I receive many cards from friends who know I am an atheist. I also send Christmas to friends . It's tradition, culture, and it's here to stay so ignore anyone WHO doesn't like it. We would not try to distroy Halloween so why bother ignoring or dismantleing Christmas. If you are American it's your heritage so support it. If you don't agree support your children's right to have a nice Christmas as all of the other kids in their neighborhood.
People really don't expect you top say anythign so take the high road and give thenm a nice
"merry Christmas"
2006-11-26 14:12:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've never witnessed anyone get bent out of shape by being wished a Merry Xmas.
I have, however, seen people many times verbally attacked for wishing someone a "Happy Holidays", with a response along the lines of "It's Christmas, why don't you say so!" (that's the milder version).
This is one big non-issue that undermines any good-cheer of the season, no matter what faith you hold.
2006-11-27 12:39:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is safe and its not against law. Just kidding. Actually, if you know the religion of a person then chose what is appropriate. If in doubt just say" have a wonderful holiday," or "enjoy the holiday." I say Merry Christmas many times and no one seemed offended.
2006-11-26 14:15:07 · answer #4 · answered by angel 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I really think the only place this is an issue is in the media. I've never seen anyone get upset about this in real life. Some of my friends say Merry Christmas, some say Happy Solstice, some say Happy Holidays. Its all the same fun Pagan holiday no matter what you call it, so who cares.
2006-11-26 14:11:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
There is a distinction between those who say Merry Christmas
and those who say Happy Holidays. Those who say HH want
the goodies without reference to the old religion. But if they
don't say HH then they have nothing. Remeber the era where
it was trendy to call your parents by their Christian names.Those
who did that removed the human relationships between parent
and children.
When people start to say "here are your Holiday presents"
"I enjoyed my Happy Holidays" "On Happy Holidays morning
it snowed"
then they will really missed Merry Christmas, Christmas
presents and Christmas Holidays.
2006-11-26 14:21:10 · answer #6 · answered by wcsj 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would say it's a bit premature to be talking about Christmas yet, but in a week or two when you feel the urge then say Merry Christmas when you feel compelled. It certainly is not offending and if the person you are talking to feels as though it is then they have deeper concerns than you "violating" their religious beliefs. I think that is absurd. Say what feels right to YOU!
2006-11-26 14:15:35 · answer #7 · answered by fade_this_rally 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one is offended if you wish the spirit of the season, so Happy Holidays...remember that a Black Festival, a Jewish Festival and a Christian Festival occur about the same time, but historically and culturally, you also are passing on good wishes to paganists, as well as druids, and Asian folks celebrate the end of the solar year too. It also celebrates the birth of Golgotha, Adonis and others.
2006-11-26 14:13:42 · answer #8 · answered by Frank 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think it is, especially if you are pretty sure the person celebrates Christmas. I know people who don't celebrate Christmas because they are Jewish so I say Happy Hanukkah to them. However, if I'm not sure of someone's religion or lack thereof, I say Happy Holidays since to me that covers everything that happens in Nov.-Dec. And since they've been saying Happy Holidays since the 40's (I think that's when the song came out) it's a traditional greeting as well.
2006-11-26 14:09:50 · answer #9 · answered by Purdey EP 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
We are waaay to wrapped up in not offending anyone. This is the CHRISTMAS season and for some maybe Hanukkah, but any other holidays are simply made up or put into December (can you say Kwaanza???) to compete with Christmas. Personally, I'm sick to death of catering to the few that may be offended. Millions and millions of people in this Country celebrate Christmas and are proud of it. If someone doesn't like it when I wish them a polite wish of goodwill someone is wrong with them and not me. If someone said happy Hanukkah to me I'd know they were celebrating and certainly not take offense at it.
2006-11-26 14:23:38 · answer #10 · answered by itsmeinin 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I say Merry Christmas to everyone. If they do not celebrate Christmas, most have enough respect to wish me a Merry Christmas in return.
2006-11-26 14:10:39 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋