Non Christmas observers what is your response when people wish you a Merry Christmas?

Question

I have given up and just say thanks. It amazes me how many peope refer to Santa and Christmas when they talk to my kids. My five year old though is fast to point out to them that Santa is a myth.

Answer 1

i dont think i really understand what ur asking. however thats very cute for ur kid, however, i wonder how many kids' feelings hes going to hurt when he goes around school/daycare telling them all santa doesnt exist. theres something to be real proud of for sure.

i usually say merry christmas, christmas has become more a national holliday then a real religious one. most people celebrate being with family and loved ones. a day to spend with those we care about and show those we care about how much we care.

Answer 2

(I celebrate "Christmas," but if I may respond...)

I would return the greeting as it was received, or, if they say "Happy Hanukkah" I would say "thank you" with a smile.
... no, that's not true... I'd say "HAPPY HANUKKAH" even though I don't celebrate "Hanukkah," I can at least greet them as such... there's no harm in that.

Usually they're saying "Merry Christmas" as a postive greeting... I have never come across an individual who has said "Merry Christmas" to be malicious. (...then again, "never say never," huh?)

As for the folks that refer to “Santa” and “Christmas” with your kids... they don’t know any better and are probably assuming your kids have been brought up with the same “beliefs.” Again, I don’t think they’re doing this to be malicious; their intentions (hopefully) are good ones.

At the same time,HOWEVER, if they already know you, and even if they don’t, they should be respectful of your beliefs as well, and not “a*s-sume” your children/you believe in Santa.

Because when you “a*s...sume...” well, you know.

Just as long as your children know, what you would like them to know (not saying I agree with telling kids there is no Santa), then they should be fine, and you should have no problem. And, it seems obvious that your children DO know this.

D*rn it folks... stop over-analyzing “Christmas,” the “Holidays” and just start looking at it as a day, a month, to be extra nice and extra giving (if you don’t do it all year round). What’s the harm?

You don’t even have to LABEL it.

.pEace.

Answer 3

I say, "Merry Christmas!" I don't feel like I need to constantly try to be offended by a polite gesture. I appreciate the greeting. I tend to say "Happy Holidays" when I'm the first to throw out the greeting, only because it encompasses all of the holidays, including New Year's. I just don't think there's any reason to flaunt your religious beliefs or lack there of when someone is being kind and polite.

Answer 4

MERRY CHRISTMAS! I won't do yet another long paragraph like on your different question. Its 22:15 right here, and that i'm surprisingly knackered. So that is over incredibly for me! We had kin around. huge dinner. + Cheese cake, chocolate mousse and ice cream for dessert. actually feeling like a whale. We talked and shared promises for some hours, earlier gazing some action pictures and comedy episodes on DVD. Then they went domicile and that i had warm beverages and toasties with my mom, dad and bro's. sparkling lighting fixtures fixtures and yuletide tree. + A tidy domicile. Love this time of three hundred and sixty 5 days! i admire Christmas! Apple pies and custard for day after today! wish you had a staggering day.

Answer 5

"Merry Christmas" or even just "Thank you, you too" is fine. No reason for anyone to get offended. It's just a friendly greeting or wish. We live in a culture where the majority of people celebrate Christmas, so of course people are going to wish each other a "Merry Christmas". 99.999% of people are just trying to be kind, why not be kind back.

Answer 6

Since their intent is usually just to be "nice" I wish them one right back. Kindness in any form is a treasure in this day and age.

I try to refrain from the self-cherishment of expecting everyone to look into some crystal ball and discover what my philosophy in life is and conform to it. LOL Even when I'm wearing my Buddhism (i.e. jewelry or a shirt or my mala) I can't expect them to know without asking. Lately it generates a lot of war-like feelings when some Christians are challenged by trying to get them to understand that not everybody buys into that, so why destroy their day? I'll challenge them at other times and on other levels.

_()_

Answer 7

"Thank you." It is the wish of good tidings that counts. However, I would use "Happy Holidays" myself if I didn't know which holidays the person celebrates.

Santa is fun. We can play the Santa game while still recognizing he is not real. I never believed in Santa. I just thought it was a fun tradition - like the Easter Bunny or Tooth Fairy. Promoting a little imagination is not going to kill your kid. They read about other fictional characters, don't they?

Answer 8

Thank you and smile and say same to you,,,,very simple it is body movements and tone of voice that implies a friendly greeting{Your child should be taught that is the the holiday event GOD and LO VE and Santa

Answer 9

I don't really distinguish between someone saying "Merry Christmas" and "Have a nice day". Both are offering a somewhat meaningless hope of good fortune, sort of like "Be fruitful and multiply" or "Live long and prosper." It would serve no point to tell them that I don't personally celebrate Christmas, other then to rebuke them for trying to be nice. So, "Thanks, you too" is a perfect response for pretty much any comment.

Answer 10

I say Merry Christmas. It's just like saying Happy 4th of July. I'm English, I don't care about July 4th. Happy Day Off.