Why do people care if you say 'Merry Christmas' or 'Happy Holidays?

Answer 1

Because some of the religious people think whichever expression you use shows your opinion about Christ, Christmas and other religious holidays. Some folks do indeed use it in that way but I think for most people it doesn't carry such a distinctive deeper message.

I used to use these two expressions for a much simpler reason; if I wished someone a Merry Christmas only and would see them again for New Year's, I'd say 'Merry Christmas' (and I'd wish them happy new year the next week), but folks I didn't see so often I'd simply say 'happy holidays' rather than the 'merry christmas and a happy new year' which is a bit of a mouthful and makes me feel like a talking christmas card. Because Christmas and New Year make two, 'holidays', plural. Makes sense, doesn't it?

I also used to select Christmas cards by the pretty picture and I never cared what exactly they said, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Yule, Good Tidings... who cares, I always saw it as a lot of different ways to say the same thing, to me they're all synonymous. Only the past several years do people suddenly make an issue out of it, think such a simple choice of words has a deeper meaning.

Answer 2

Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah occur at roughly the same times. Some religions / people don't celebrate either one but just enjoy the season. That's why Happy Holidays is better, if you know that some one is Christian then say Merry Christmas, or if Jewish, Happy Hanukkah.

The ones that make a big deal of it are probably the same ones that secretly abuse their kids, cheat on their husbands, are closet drinkers. They are generally holier than thou, have no lives and want nothing more than to be able to tell you how YOU should live.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyful Kwanzaa and Bah Humbug!

Answer 3

Have you ever had someone say" Merry Christmas to you?" Did you return by saying "and you too!"
Our Society has been disolving for about 40 years now..The value place on being an American is lossing its high rank ...Its not being taken from us ,OH NO!! It's being given away ...An American is so proud and so upstanding that we often choose the Apologetic way of answering problems instead of being bold as our forefathers were. If this society had been in place during World war I or II ..we would be speaking German and excusing ouselves from ever thinking about taking a real stand for anything that is right or just...

Now It is the "Christian Conservatives" I just read this and feel that perhaps thats not such a bad place to be . Using that Noun-Chain though is rather like saying ...Its the Christian Intolerables or perhaps The Christian Impossibles..either way it is the Duty of a country that was founded on Christian Beliefs whose very declaration of independence is Aquired by God's grace and who's constitution is written One nation under God..to Adhere to the fact that our lives are whether we want it or not Christian Based. ...So in this Seemingly untied country ,spilling out in all directions be a part of the Christian Conservative group is only a way of showing that I am a member of the core that founded this honorable society...and at Christmas when the young folks are all at my home and when I meet people on the Street I personally am PROUD to say "MERRY CHRISTMAS" .It is my holiday greeeting of choice , my holiday badge of honor and my holiday remberance of what we founded our country upon.....I do hope that giving these away to "happy holiday" will be long in coming...
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MERRY CHRISTMAS........from the E.....

Answer 4

Some people prefer Happy Holidays because it is an inclusive, non-religious specific greeting that recognizes the diversity this country espouses. Others prefer Merry Christmas is recognition of the spiritual significance of the holiday in the first place. It has become a hotly contested issue. I can see the legitimacy of both points of view, still, I prefer Merry Christmas to ensure we are mindful of the spirit of the occasion beyond Santa and shopping. Whatever your perspective, have a safe and joyous season!

Answer 5

There are alot of people in the world who arent Christian, and since Christmas is the most celebrated holiday during december, they get upset when told " Merry Christmas"
Then, there are the people who if you say " Happy Holidays " to get upset because Christmas is the "right"holiday
Say what you want
I usually say " Happy Holidays" and im Catholic! I realize that there are other people in this world, like Muslims and Jews, who have their own holiday. And Happy Holidays isnt wrong because its using " Holy-day" ( holiday) as in Christmas.

Answer 6

This is sad but society has become too political and tend to push their ideas on others even if their opinions are trivial and it suddenly becomes a big deal. I thin everyone should have the right to express themselves any way they want. I like to say "Merry Christmas" because i believe the holidays are revolved around Christmas. Without Christmas, there would be no holiday.

Answer 7

Merry Christmas is for Christians, Happy Holidays does not imply to any religion in specific.

Answer 8

Happy Holidays is a universal term encompassing several holidays. Merry Christmas is really only polite when said to someone who celebrates Christmas.

Answer 9

Changing the names of CHRISTMAS trees, CHRISTMAS lights, CHRISTMAS wrapping, CHRISTMAS cards, CHRISTMAS gifts, CHRISTMAS music, CHRISTMAS shopping, etc. to "Holiday" or "Winter" is pretty lame. If they're really dead set against acknowledging Christmas, let them also refrain from using those things just to sell their products.

Today is the 2nd day of Hanukkah. I know that, and I wished my Jewish friends Happy Hanukkah. Do you see equal numbers of dreidls and menorahs in the stores?

Kwaanza, is just a harvest celebration event that was thrown together by a professor at the University of Southern California a few years ago. But do you see any brown and orange, harvest-related symbolism in the stores?

Nope. They bootleg the Christmas symbolism. Right down to Santa Claus and his reindeer.

Personally, I shop only where Christmas gifts are sold. I'm not interested in Holiday gifts at all. I am not offended by "Happy Holiday", but I will always respond with "Merry Christmas".

Answer 10

Not everyone in the world celebrates christmas. Its's like if someone comes up to a christian and says "Happy Haunakuca!" Happy Holidays is just more politicaly correct, altho i do confess i use merry christmas.