How come I can't just say Merry Christmas, we always have to say Happy Holidays?
923593
Dear friend, I feel this one hits close to home. I know exactly how you feel. This past year at school we were banned from saying merry Christmas. They even stopped putting up the Christmas tree in the lobby because they were afraid they'd offend somebody. To me that's just ridiculous. What that is is people being overly politically correct. Say it how you were raised. If I'm not mistaken isn't it all basically the same thing any way? If you were raised to celebrate Kwanzaa say Happy Kwanza! The message is all the same no matter how you say it. And that is good tidings. I hope I helped, sweetie. \n\nYour friend\n\n~senge~
821095
Christmas is no longer just a Christian holiday. My family is not religious yet we've celebrated Christmas every year. For us it was never about Jesus; it was all about Santa. (Well, for my dad it's about Festivus and the Winter Solstice. He too is a bit of a Scrooge but gave in a few years ago when he decided that he just wouldn't call it Christmas). For me, Christmas is a time to show/tell people that I love them. We live hectic lives and sometimes we forget to tell the people in our lives how much we care about and appreciate them. Christmas is a good time to reiterate how much I love my family and friends. Do your best to ignore our conspicuous consumer society and tell the people that you love how you feel! Plus you can enjoy all the parties and delicious food!
383804
Because it would sound funny to say "Merry Thanksgiving" or "Jolly 4th of July" or "Funtabulous Valentine's Day." As Americans, our vocabularies tend to be sparse. We pick one word with which we are comfortable (happy) and stick to it. Christmas... I guess that's the exception to the rule. I suppose it's because we've heard it our entire lives.
707022
i totally agree with you on everything that you said, that is why my family celebrates the real meaning of Christmas which is Christ.  The world has so corrupted this sacred holiday that it no longer carries with it any meaning!!  the devil has done what he always does, taken Christ out and put something else in His place.
794787
I agree with you......Why do people have to ruin the Christmas Season by complaining about how they are greeted. Does it really matter if Someone says "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays"? I mean..does it physically hurt you or ruin your day?  Why can't people just say "Thank You" and go on with their lives?......I would rather someone said Merry Christmas to me then to ignore me or not say anything...... It's Christmas for God's sake......I still believe that Christ is part of Christmas...and am proud to say it...\nThanks for the GREAT Question/Comment.....and I hope that where ever you decide to shop, that they too will agree.\nI wold like to wish you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS....ahead of the time.
961383
Season's greetings to one and all!\n\nMay your Christmas be a very Merry one, and may the New Year be very prosperous!\n\nWishing you a Merry Christmas. And may the New Year be full of good Health, Love & Friendship!\n\nHere’s to a very Merry Christmas and an even better New Year, which is full of Peace, Love, Friendship and good Health!\n\nTis the Season to be Jolly, so lets get together and Celebrate!\n\nMay Peace and Joy be enstowed to you and your family, this Christmas!\n\nMay these Holidays be a Safe, Healthy and Happy, for you and your loved ones!\n\n\nNot sure this is what you want, but good luck with the Christmas card making. I too make my own cards.
910626
I don't celebrate christmas but have to work and live through the hype which can sometimes get boring because you jus wanna get on with things but then its someones celebration so im not fussed.
11802
Merry Christmas just sounds better...
12615
While I'm a Christian myself (don't hold it against me.  ;) ), I don't object at all to hearing Happy Holidays.  This is a country that, although not based on the principles of true religious equality, has adapted such lately.  It would be consideed rather forceful if Jewish persons went around correcting everyone to 'Happy Hanukkah', for some persons to suggest Kwanzaa, and etc.  As well, there are atheists and other individuals who do not believe in these holidays.  For that reason--it is more politically correct--and polite--to say such terms.  Claiming that you're being discriminated against while discriminating against others is not an excuse conservatives should use.
772647
Good for you. \n\ni applaud you. *clap* *clap* *clap* *clap*\n\ni am glad that some people still feel the true spirit of Christmas, instead of the crazed buying spree type views that the stores want you to use.\n\none more *clap, clap, clap*
782059
Everyone is saying that these days and I feel the same.  It is not only because it is around the time of my birthday but there is a different feel to the Christmas season.  \n\nIt is a fact that people act nicer to one another and things they would have ignored or treated slightly during the rest of the year, they seem to become more attentive to and kinder to each other.  \n\nAs life rolls by, the peace appears to be less and less.  A phrase that is being beaten to a frazzle in these times is "There's is no more love!"  People are very much afraid to talk, be friendly and just live as before.  I don't exactly blame them - it's the times in which we live.  \n\nIt's just a shame, that's all!
727636
happy thanksgiving to you too!\nunless this was some sort of question.....\nbut i just wanted to say happy thanksgiving!\ncheers!
19103
I am an Atheist and have no problem at all with "Merry Christmas" or "Christmas Tree" or anything simular.  If a store wants to display signs that say Merry Christmas than I think thats great.  If they want to have Happy Holidays instead, I see no problem with that either.\n\nFor me, December 25th is Christmas Day.  Its not Holiday Day or Solstice Day... its Christmas Day.  \nOf course the word Christmas may have more meaning to some people than to others.  I dont celebrate the birth of Christ and most Theists dont either.  Maybe one day we will have an ATHEIST DAY and damn to hell if I would let some Jesus Freak make me change it!
6426
You know, i've seen this question many times on  Y! answers and often within the media.  And, to date, i still say the same thing:\n\n1. Saying Happy Holidays is being inclusive of all faiths, and persons.\n2. Saying Happy Holidays does not mean that christmas doesn't exist.  It means that you should have a happy holiday for whatever holiday you celebrate.\n\n3. Christ was not born on Christmas, he was born in March or April (dependant on what calendar you look at).\n4. Putting Christ back in Christmas is perhaps the most idiotic thing i've ever heard.  Not only did this holiday start as a Pagan Festivle, Christ wasn't even close to being born on this day.\n\nIf you have a problem being inclusive, perhaps you shouldn't celebrate the holiday.  The spirit of christmas is to be giving, to work for harmony and peace on that one day, and do our best to have an enjoyable time in an otherwise harrowing time.  Non christians still celebrate christmas.  Many other's celebrate other holidays within that season and day.\n\nI personally celebrate christmas, but moreso the traditional yule celebration.  And, i still say happy holidays to whomever is concerned.\n\nBeing inclusive is very important.  If you want to exclude non christians from the holiday, then you should make it illegal to sell christmas trees, ornimants, wrapping paper, ect to anyone except churches, and churches should pass such items out :)  I doubt, for a single minute, that this type of action will take place; christmas means too much for retailers in our economy :)  So, since it can't be that way, try and be a bit more inclusive eh :)\n\nI twinge, yes, whenever anyone wishes me a merry christmas, and then spouts off christian bias.  It offends me because i'm not a christian.  I don't turn to the same person and tell them about the goddess or the harvest, so what's the point of being so rude like that :)
764033
I fell into the trap around 8 to 10 years ago while working at a large corporation and because of diversity issues I was afraid of offending someone.  Not any longer, I have gone back to wishing people a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  My reasoning is that when you go into most public places, including department stores, they are decorated, and people are working for the Christmas Season!  Therefore I have taken back my right to wish people a Merry Christmas but,  I premise it by saying "May I Wish You A Merry Christmas" 98% of the time people are grateful that I have said Merry Christmas.  Like myself, people are getting tired of offending others by extending our Holiday Greetings in a way that it was meant to be.  If someone wished me a Happy Hanuka, I would graciously say Thank You and be grateful for their wishes.  \n\nSecondly,  Yes, I do not appreciate people writing XMAS,  it is the CHRIST  MAS Season and people are being sucked into the delusion that this is not what it is about.  If people are non believers, than do not participate. I won't be offended.  I am not a religious nut by any means, but I feel stripped of my right to celebrate one of the most important events in our History (as Christians).  \n\nMERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND HAVE A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.
14117
Count me in your bandwagon. Being addicted to Yahoo Answers, I just didn't get any time to carry on with the Xmas celebrations. Why not celebrate it here in the Yahoo community, asking questions on the Christmas theme. Merry Christmas to all of you.
768862
I am with you! I think it is absurd when people say that it is "because they are in a hurry!!!!!!!!!"\n They can take the time to write " Have- A- Merry- love- Tom- Becky- Steve- Cosmo -and The Family. They can even take the time to write X and mas.....but they just might get writers cramp or be late for work if they write the word Christ. \nMerry CHRISTmas to all! Let's keep Christ in Christmas and in all things.   God Bless!