They're Not Holiday Trees, They're Christmas Trees!

Merry Christmas!

There it is, I went and said the unthinkable. The Holiday-That-Must-Not-Be-Named. Run for the hills!

Why has it become PC to wish people “Happy Holidays” instead of the specific holiday that you celebrate? Is that so wrong? Am I really offending a Jewish person, a Muslim person, a Hindu person, or a Kwanza person if I wish them a Merry Christmas? Just because they don’t celebrate that day (although, a lot of people have hopped onto the Santa Train) doesn’t mean that I can’t hope that day is merry and full of joy for them too.

I totally respect other faiths and traditions, so this year I’m not wishing people Happy Holidays. The generic “Holidays” has become synchronous with commercialism and shopping, not faith and family. Saying “Merry Christmas” is saying, “This day actually means something to me, and I wish you the best on that day.” In turn, friends of other faiths and traditions, it would mean a lot more to me if you wish me a Happy Hanukkah than a Merry Christmas. I know that day (or days) means something to you, and I appreciate you including me in your tradition through that phrase.

So Merry Christmas, everyone. And to all a good night.

0 thoughts on “They're Not Holiday Trees, They're Christmas Trees!”

  1. I think the idea is that you wish someone whatever celebration YOU wish them. For you, a “Merry Christmas”. I like the “Happy Holidays” myself, but I’m a heathen so that’s the way I roll…

    It’s 11pm on Christmas Day in India and I’m bored. Can you tell?

    Reply
    • Thanks for sharing this link. That post–albeit strongly, if not aggressively worded–has a great point. The one tricky thing is that Hanukkah is going on right now. It’s one of the “happy” holidays. So if you celebrate Christmas, what do you do when you encounter a Jewish person. Do you wish them a happy Hanukkah–because that’s what they celebrate, or do you wish them a merry Christmas, because that’s what you celebrate? Perhaps that conundrum is why so many people have resorted to Happy Holidays.

      Reply

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