https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:23:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays/page/2#post-1983098 Sat, 13 Dec 2014 06:08:05 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1983098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: @swurlygurl: if someone wished me a Joyous Kwanzaa and wasn't holding a kinara* I would be offended. </p> <p>* thank you, Google: kinara is the menorah-like candle holder used for the 7 days of Kwanzaa </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays/page/2#post-1983096 Sat, 13 Dec 2014 05:58:22 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1983096@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I sometimes go straight to Happy New Year's as I think we can all agree on that. I say Happy Holidays way more than Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah, but that's because I don't know everyone's personal beliefs. I love a good old Seasons Greetings because that throws everyone off! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays/page/2#post-1983092 Sat, 13 Dec 2014 05:36:57 +0000 dc yoga bee 1983092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@fairy: I always heard this was the reason it started as well, and not a war on Christmas by Christians. I say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays depending on what comes out my mouth at the time. I choose my holiday cards based on the design I like at the store. These days they mostly say Happy Holidays, because companies are being politically correct. I'm Christian, and don't care which one you say to me, I'm just happy to get the well wishes. life is too short, and I'm little too busy to get offended if you tell me Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas just because I'm Christian. My Christmas/Holiday season won't be ruined. As long as you're not telling me **** you, we're good! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays/page/2#post-1983054 Sat, 13 Dec 2014 01:40:16 +0000 anonysquire 1983054@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I say Merry Christmas because that's what we celebrate. Well and Happy Holidays seems so vague. You could use it for Easter or 4th of July. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays/page/2#post-1983024 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 23:39:42 +0000 fairy 1983024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I might be wrong, but I believe it actually started because a store/company told their employees that they could only tell customers "Happy Holidays" and people got upset about that. I can understand being upset about that, but I don't understand why it has gone so far that people want to crap on Happy Holidays altogether. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays/page/2#post-1983020 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 23:35:16 +0000 fairy 1983020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our card says both, lol. Happy Holidays on the front and Merry Christmas from the ____ family on the back. I couldn't care less what people say to me I am just happy to get a greeting/well-wishes. If I am giving a gift or card that I hand-wrote to someone who I know doesn't celebrate Christmas, I put Happy Holidays specifically, but I don't think most people care. I have seen a bunch of people on facebook posting images like "it's not Happy Holidays, it's MERRY CHRISTMAS" and it just makes them seem like they are really missing the point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays/page/2#post-1983014 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 23:12:51 +0000 daniellemybelle 1983014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: Did you not celebrate Christmas as a child? I know you do now.</p> <p>I say Merry Christmas because in our community 99% of folks celebrate that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays/page/2#post-1982408 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 13:56:26 +0000 shopaholic 1982408@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@swurlygurl: That's so nice and perfect! </p> <p>I usually stick with Happy Holidays just because we have F&amp;F of all sorts of faith (or none at all). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays/page/2#post-1982390 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 13:53:13 +0000 JoJoGirl 1982390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh man. This whole war on christmas thing is ridiculous. I'm Jewish and get MORE offended by people saying it's a "holiday party" when it's all christmas trees and ornaments and fruitcake and christmas carols. Just call it what it is, A CHRISTMAS PARTY. If it's actually hannukah and you want to say happy hannukah, fine, great, but otherwise, I don't find "Happy Holidays" to be particularly inclusive of anything, it's just sort of "I want to say Merry Christmas but I'm scared to piss you off".</p> <p>And no i don't get offended when people say anything because how are they supposed to know what I celebrate? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays/page/2#post-1982382 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 13:51:09 +0000 PurplePeony 1982382@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I say Merry Christmas during the couple days around Dec. 25, otherwise I generally say Happy Holidays. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays/page/2#post-1982348 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 13:41:09 +0000 Anya 1982348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: love this, and the fact that new year's snuck in there haha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays/page/2#post-1982322 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 13:27:27 +0000 Lindsay05 1982322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's something that I have never thought was an issue until someone made it to be! I say Merry Christmas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays/page/2#post-1982306 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 13:21:51 +0000 swurlygurl 1982306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Torchwood: I agree, the whole 'War on Christmas' is ridiculous and privileged. I've heard criticism both ways from people! I told a grocery store clerk 'Happy Holidays', and the lady behind got all annoyed and snipped at me that I need to say 'Merry Christmas', and then the reverse happened the next week. Cranky old ladies need to keep their grump to themselves because now I don't even want to say anything :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays/page/2#post-1982304 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 13:20:47 +0000 PawPrints 1982304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well on gift tags, those are usually going to family so "Merry Christmas" is appropriate. On our card that we mail out, I do either one based on whichever card design I prefer that year, but I think in our own card that we're sending out it's not offensive if it says "Merry Christmas" since it's so personal. Those are, however, about the only two circumstances in which I would use "Merry Christmas" (okay maybe at church). @Torchwood got it correct, this is about privilege, and people who don't celebrate Christmas should be made to feel comfortable as much as possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays/page/2#post-1982296 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 13:17:05 +0000 Torchwood 1982296@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@swurlygurl: I'm an atheist but celebrate (a secular version of) Christmas, and I wear Christmas stuff all the time so there's not really any chance anyone looking at me wouldn't be able to tell what I celebrate. And I definitely wouldn't be offended by someone saying "happy Hannukah" or whatever. That being said, it's an issue of privilege. As someone else pointed out, it actually all got started with (some, certainly not all) Christians getting offended when people told them Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. They were used to being in the majority, having their holiday as the only acknowledged one, in short having a lot of privilege. So now a lot of them make a point of refusing to say Happy Holidays and insisting on Merry Christmas and being rude to those who don't do the same. And THAT'S what's offensive. Though honestly, I do think it's at least a little thoughtless to always say Merry Christmas no matter who you're talking to. Not rude, just... if you don't know the person celebrates Christmas, and you are aware that choosing to say it anyway can be hurtful/non-inclusive/irritating, why not just say Happy Holidays?</p> <p>@bluestriped bee: Ooooh yeah, people get very offended by it. Cause, ya know, this is a Christian country so everyone who isn't Christian just needs to sit down and shut up. It's just bizarre. Though at this point I make more of an effort to say Happy Holidays specifically because of people like that. I think that sort of privilege needs to be challenged, not kowtowed to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays/page/2#post-1982269 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 13:05:35 +0000 Torchwood 1982269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always purchase Happy Holidays cards, but I write in them and I use Merry Christmas if I know it's going to someone who prefers that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays#post-1982231 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 12:52:23 +0000 Greentea 1982231@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I prefer to just say merry Christmas. My intentions are good, so if I am being nonPC I hope they'll forgive me (and if I am sending them a card thy are someone close and it is in good spirits.) It's Christmas for me. If I know for sure they don't celebrate then I might write happy holidays. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays#post-1982229 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 12:52:20 +0000 Grace 1982229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>People that get cards and presents from me are people I know and they all celebrate Christmas. And to be honest, with people in stores etc, they usually say it first, so usually I just respond "you too"! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays#post-1982174 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 12:12:37 +0000 Synchronicity 1982174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am so beyond sick of seeing the war on Christmas crap posted on social media (I'm looking at you, grandma!) :silly: It feels like you can't win with some people no matter what you say. Everyone just needs to learn to play nice in the sandbox! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays#post-1982169 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 12:10:23 +0000 wonderstruck 1982169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: I posted that this year and the other one last year, haha!</p> <p>If you're sending a holiday card to someone I'm assuming you know what they celebrate, so I would address it appropriately. If it was just a customer at work I would say Merry Christmas. If they said something else, even something I didn't celebrate, I just said what that picture does - 'Thank you! You too!" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays#post-1982152 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 11:57:41 +0000 meganmp 1982152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My inner Brit likes Happy Christmas, so that's what I go with (verbally, anyway), and I feel that if someone wished me a Joyous Festivus or whatever, I'd say it right back without a second thought. They are wishing me a happy time with my family, and isn't that wonderful? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays#post-1982140 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 11:53:57 +0000 pui 1982140@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always say Merry Christmas, because that is what we celebrate. If someone is seriously offended by that, well, sorry I guess. I think there are much better things to get upset over. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays#post-1982139 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 11:53:19 +0000 farawayyama 1982139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it's someone we know, and we know they celebrate Christmas, merry Christmas.</p> <p>If it's someone we don't know, or who we know doesn't celebrate Christmas, Happy Holidays. I don't care how people address me. If someone is wishing me good, I'll take it!</p> <p>I find the "War on Christmas" to be incredibly egocentric. Being offended that people acknowledge your holiday along with the others, rather than automatically putting it on a pedestal above the others is ridiculous. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays#post-1982120 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 11:48:25 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1982120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not really worried about offending, I just like to be all-inclusive, so for cards, etc. I usually do Happy Holidays. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays#post-1982108 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 11:44:23 +0000 MrsSCB 1982108@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I don't know what someone celebrates, I say "Happy holidays." I wouldn't be offended if someone said, "Happy Hanukkah" to me. At the same time, I understand that Christmas is by far the dominant holiday this time of year, and I could imagine that if I celebrated something different (Hanukkah for example) it could get grating hearing "Merry Christmas" over and over again.</p> <p>I also think the whole "war on Christmas" idea is absurd. Someone I know recently posted on Facebook something to the effect of, "If you think I'm going to say a PC 'Happy Holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas' F off." Which is a...charming holiday message. That's the spirit! ;-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays#post-1982101 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 11:39:10 +0000 HabesBabe 1982101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>After working at Disneyland all through college, I'm used to saying "Happy Holidays" now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays#post-1982053 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 11:16:24 +0000 Adira 1982053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: haha, same! </p> <p>I say Merry Christmas to people that I know that celebrate Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone else. When I sent out my Christmas cards this year, I wrote "Merry Christmas" on them, except to my Jewish friends, I wrote "Happy Holidays." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays#post-1982038 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 11:11:44 +0000 coopsmama 1982038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I, like PP have mentioned above, think it's pretty silly to be offended by someone saying either Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas or whatever they might say. I consider it a kind greeting - and I'm thrilled if someone takes the time to say something kind to me! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays#post-1982001 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 10:58:23 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 1982001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I say Merry Christmas. My cards also say Merry Christmas. I don't know anyone who doesn't celebrate Christmas so I doubt anyone is offended. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays#post-1981990 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 10:54:28 +0000 BSB 1981990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For cards that I mail before Christmas, I usually put Happy Holidays.</p> <p>For gifts, gift tags and anything else I do IRL with my family and friends, I say Merry Christmas. Saying 'have a great holiday' to strangers and other people is just easier to me so I don't have to worry about what people celebrate. Less thinking for me. ;)</p> <p>ETA: Are people these days getting offended at 'Happy Holidays'? Wow! Yeah, I can't win with those people. </p>