Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas????

Question

Here's the thing, I can understand a generic card saying Happy Holidays, because it cover everything. But I think it has gotten a bit ridiculous. When there's a picture of baby Jesus or even Santa on a card why put Happy Holidays on it when that is only about Christmas. Or now everything is Happy holidays , so no one is offended. If a store is decked out in Christmas trees, lights and stocking why say Happy holiday when you've decorated for Christmas!! What do you think, doesn't that make sense or is it just me??? And for those of you who don't celebrate Christmas does Happy Holiday make the season easier for you???

Answer 1

I think you are sooooo right! I think the only thing would be if you had friends that you knew were of another faith then you could be sensative to their religious beliefs and send them a generic card to wish them "Happy Holidays." But if you celebrate Christmas then that's exactly what you should say... "Merry Christmas!"

Answer 2

Well, look at it this way. There (obviously)are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, all kinds of people with all kinds of religions. Each needs their own special stuff for their holidays, correct? Stores make money off of what people need. Some areas are more Christian than others, so stores place the Christmas stuff in front to attract their attention. In order for other religions to look at it though, they say, "Happy Holidays" so people of other religions come in, and now they have every religion coming in.
On the cards, those cards are pretty much made for Christians, but they say Happy Holidays because New Years Day is a holliday, and people are too cheap to get another card for that. Not all cards are for Christians, there are also cards with menorahs on them that say Happy Hannukah and Happy Holidays.Perhaps the reason Christmas cards say Happy Holidays more is because they are closer to New Years than Hannukah.

Answer 3

I really don't think it matters. Whether a store says "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas" probably depends more on who they'd offend less (and thus make the most money off of) anyway. I'm a Christian, and to me what Wal-Mart's doing by making it their *policy* to say "Merry Christmas" is way more offensive then the "Happy Holiday" stores. It's no coincidence that Wal-Mart's base is in the bible belt and so are most of their customers. It's all a marketing scheme. I mean, Jesus kicked the markets out of the temple, so now they're trying to bring the temple into the market!

The "Happy Holiday" guys are also just using marketing ploys. They want to be inclusive not because they're so noble, but so they can make more money. Ideally, stores would leave it up to their employees what they say. I'd rather have someone tell me "Happy Kwaanza" and be sincere about it then be told "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" because someone had to.

Answer 4

I'm Pagan; I'd much rather hear Happy Holidays. Here in NYC, there are so many religions and races. "Happy Holidays" covers them all. Even New Year's Day is a holiday.

If the store has any non-Christian elements in that display, then it is a "holiday" display. And they're "holiday" lights, too. I put them up for the Winter Solstice, since it is a celebration of light. (It's the longest night of the year; things can only get brighter from there.) Jews sometimes put up blue and white lights for Hanukkah.

But on cards with Santas or manger scenes...yes, they're "Christmas" cards, not "holiday" ones. I bought several varieties of cards this year. The ones with pandas playing in the snow and penguin cut-outs are "holiday", for my friends. The ones with Rudolph pulling an Airstream trailer with a wreath on it are "Christmas", for my family.

Answer 5

I agree with you. mean, no one says "happy holidays" in any other month. No one wants to say Christmas anymore. Most people int eh US are Christians, and Christianity is the religious heritage of the country, sothere should be no reason for offense in "Merry Christmas".

Go Fish's new song, "Christmas With a Captial 'C'", explains everything so nicely.

Answer 6

This is a very good question, and thanks for the chance to answer. For me, the answer is MERRY CHRISTMAS, as I believe in the Christian faith.

The fact that this question has to be asked demonstrates the hatemongering and bigoted intolerance of the liberal left. This also demonstrates that the liberal leftist extremists are simply hypocrits. These are the same people who preach tolerance but have none. Its a sickening and sad day when anyone, regardless of how they believe or celebrate, has to be concerned with which phrase they want to say for dear of 'offending' someone. This so-called 'tolerance' that the libs preach applies only to those they happen to agree with. If you believe in something else, as far as I am concerned, more power to you. If you want to say Happy Kwanzaa or Hanakkuh (sorry if i mis-spelled it) or whatever you wish well then personally I respect that you can believe anything you want. But DO NOT try and tell me what i can say.

By stating 'Merry Chistmas' i sincerely hope that i am SERIOUSLY offending some liberal fascist somewhere.

Answer 7

I prefer Merry Christmas, the other is just politically correct fakery. It does bother Christians too, because it takes Jesus out of his day, so it's not like it's non offensive either, it's just non offensive to non Christians.

Answer 8

You have a good point.