The Great Holiday Debate

Saturday, December 20, 2008






It's childish nonsense, that's what this is.






Please, tell me how that could possibly be wrong?


ender said...

heh. this is one of my favourite rants as well.

which, to be quite honest, is why i'm using a menorah as my twitter and IM icon through the 28th. and, it's why i wished the cashier who said "Merry Christmas" to me the other day a Happy Hannukah in return.

supposedly i'm "oppositional." i think i'm just ornery.

excellent post. i wish more people would try to be universally kind. (and i hope you get over the sick very fast!)

terrifik said...

I too have been thinking about this. My own solution is to say both Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah to you and your husband. I am not actually traditionally Christian, more into Santa and love of fellow mankind than anything else. Still, the sound of words Merry Christmas in my head when I hear or read it sets off some physiological reactions in me the the sound of Happy Hoilidays doesn't. I am most pleased when someone will tell me enough of their beliefs that I can greet them as they themselves like best, and hope they will do the same for me. I wouild rather say Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanza, Hope Santa treats you well, Pagan greetings on the return of the sun, AND Happy Holidays so that all are touched and included in the clebration.

Monkling said...

I have no problem with the greeting 'Happy Holidays', in general. I don't say Merry Christmas to my Jewish friends nor do I send out cards to them that say that. What I do have an issue with is people who I know celebrate Christmas and who know I celebrate it saying 'Happy Holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas'. Or people who act like there's something wrong with saying Merry Christmas. As with everything else, they've taken the whole thing way too far.

Colleen (ladyeunicorn) said...

I have the same rant. I am Pagan, but was raised Catholic. We celebrate "Christmas/Yule" with the tree and presents. I have many friends of many different religions and choose to say Happy Holidays to everyone in order to include not only all the religious beliefs, but also New Years.

What many "christians" tend to confuse here in the US is the whole "In God We Trust" with their wish of "In Christ We Trust". Last I learned in church, God is the father of Christ, not Christ himself. (And I use the lower case c and "" to denote a difference in true Christians and those hypocrites who make the big stink.)

So, Happy Holidays to you and yours. Keep ranting away.

And I hope you feel better soon.

Anonymous said...


Thanks for touching on this topic. I am Jewish. And it angers me to no end when everywhere you go you are wished a Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays cover everything; Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza,La Posada (and I am sure more). When someone wishes me a Merry Christmas, I reply by saying and Happy Holidays to you too. If they take it further by again wishing me a Merry Christmas (I am as mad as hell now). I reply, Happy Hanukkah. People get all “weirded” out and say, "Well, I don't celebrate Hanukkah." And I say well I don't celebrate Christmas and that is why Happy Holidays cover everything.
But, some people still don't get it. Like today, this exact scenario went on and the cashier said well everyone celebrates Christmas to some extent. I just said, "Whatever" and walked away. Why can't everyone say Happy Holidays or even have a safe and Happy New Year? And what is this EVERYONE celebrates Christmas to some extent? Does anyone have any idea what that means?
You bring up a great topic today, Katie, one I struggle with every year. I don't send out Christmas Cards or Hanukkah Cards, I send out a card with a greeting for a Happy Healthy Holiday Season and New Year (or something close). They are hard to find but I manage to buy 6-7 boxes at the after Holiday sales for the next year. I do this every year and always have a large stash of multi-holiday cards. This year due to illness, a hospital stay, newly started on TPN through a PICC line and an upcoming surgery to replace my feeding tube (it eroded due to a severe infection) I don't think cards will go out this year. If I can get them done tonight and tomorrow I will send some out on Monday (but it will be after the holidays--which is fun anyway).

Rant over.

Jodi, IL

Melissa said...

I concur...myself, I go with the newly traditional, "happy movie & chinese food"!

But I suppose, I would accept a happy holidays, which being a member of the Tribe, does not really bother me all the much.

However, I am blinded with rage by the sheer volume of people on the road for the holidays that make it impossible for me to drive in any sane manner.

Flea said...

I love your take on this. I can't imagine Jesus walking around saying happy birthday to Himself. But I'll still say Merry Christmas, unless I know it offends someone, or I know they don't celebrate Christmas. Then I make accommodations. Most people I know DO celebrate Christmas. But happy Hanukkah to Dr. Slappy!

Carleen said...

I'm a Muslim and even though I don't celebrate Christmas, it has never offended me when someone wishes me a merry one. Instead of being upset that someone has wished me happiness for a holiday that I don't celebrate, I see them wishing the same happiness for me that they want for themselves. And that's never a bad thing in my book. :)

Becs said...

All this sensitivity...well, we all go our own way. I wished the folks at my library "Merry Christmas" and one responded with "Happy holidays". Fine by me.

I am tired of all this walking on eggshells. If I know someone is Jewish, I will wish that person happy Hannukah. If I don't know, I go with my version, which is "Merry Christmas".

Overflowing Brain said...


I see your point, and it is a good one. I don't have a problem with being told Merry Christmas, and I don't think my Jewish husband does either. My initial point that I guess I did a poor job of relaying was with people who were upset with other people for asking them to say "Happy Holidays" instead. I'm sure that people who don't celebrate Christmas aren't constantly offended, but I just don't think it would hurt anyone to acknowledge that other people are celebrating other things.


I don't see it as walking on eggshells, or if is, I guess I don't see while that's wrong. When you say "Happy Holidays" you're still wishing people a Merry Christmas, it doesn't take away from the sentiment at all. I think it would be walking on eggshells if you had to try and change your greeting for each person based on their religion. But that's just me.

Jennie said...

Just saw a funny video from Jason Mraz where he is singing a quasi-holiday song and wishing everyone "a happy next couple of days..." Seems to say it all, doesn't it?

Anonymous said...



jojo said...

Debate aside...
Happy first night of Chanukah.