What holiday greetings do you use?

[Quacktoon]

Do you say Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah or are you liberal and say Happy Holidays?

EDIT: This thread was originally called "The War on Christmas" but the staff ironically changed it to "What holiday greeting do you use?" I then changed it to "What Christmastime Greetings Do You Use?" because no matter what you say or what you celebrate, it happens during Christmastime. Everybody happy? :sweat:

[Michael24]

It's Merry Christmas in this household. (And this area, apparently, as a store greeter said it when I walked inside yesterday during some Christmas shopping.) Have never said Happy Hanukkah, then again, I've never known anybody who was Jewish.

[MonkeyFunk]

I'm pretty left-leaning and say "happy Christmas".
(It's a British thing...)

[HG Revolution]

I'm a liberal and I say both, generally holidays to people I know less and specifying the holiday to people I know better.

And I expect this to get locked soon if you're politicizing this.

[peacebyanymeans]

I say, "Festivus for the rest of us!"

[Speedy Boris]

Neither? I generally just say "Have a good one". Works in any circumstance. :)

[Blackstar]

It depends on who I'm saying it to. To my family who celebrates Christmas, it's "Merry Christmas". To my Jewish friends, it's "Happy Hanukkah" (didn't that word used to be spelled with a C?). To anyone who I don't know and therefore don't know what they celebrate, I just say "Happy Holidays" to be on the safe side.

[Michael24]

I say, "Festivus for the rest of us!"

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/Michael24/Holidays/happyfestivus.jpg

:D

[Movie06]

I say thme either way. Whether it's Christmas, Hannukah, whatever.

[purplehairedwonder]

And I expect this to get locked soon if you're politicizing this.As long as we keep this from dissolving into a political and/or religious debate, it can stay open. So play nice guys and gals.

I'll say whatever is appropriate for the situation. If it's someone I don't know, "Happy Holidays" it is since I don't know what they celebrate, unless they say "Merry Christmas" first. I don't take offense one way or another. The sentiment is the same no matter what you say, after all.

So... cheers! ;)

[Angilasman]

I usually say Christmas. It's pretty much a totally secular holiday anyway. I mean, it was the Christians basically stealing the holidays everyone already celebrated - If it's good enough for ancient Pagans than it's good enough for me!

[Radical Raven]

I say whatever I feel like at the time. I've said "Happy Hannukah" to a few people I know to be christian, and wished a "Merry Christmas" to atheists. Also, I say "Happy Kwaanza" to everyone except African Americans.

I'm not sure about the title of this thread...

[The Wolverine]

Neither one, really... unless someone says it to me first.

[Dr.Pepper]

I say "Happy Holidays" to people I don't know that well and "Merry Christmas" (or "Happy Hannukah") to friends and family.

[Shawn Hopkins]

The way the question is worded politicizes things from the get go and seems to be using "liberal" in a negative context, considering it links them with a "War on Christmas." It's a valid topic but it's the wrong way to go about it. Just saying.

I would usually say Merry Christmas because most of the people I interact with here in Eastern Kentucky are Christians. But I see nothing wrong with saying Happy Holidays because there are, you know, other holidays during the season. Doing so doesn't make you a liberal and it makes perfect sense for businesses like department stores to use Happy Holidays to avoid alienating some of their customers. The "War on Christmas" only exists in the minds of the oversensitive and eagerly butthurt and talk radio blowhards who want to stir up false controversy.

What is the real problem with Happy Holidays, anyway? Seems like the only way these people will feel fairly treated is if their traditions are put first at the expense of all others. And they don't see any irony in that.

[lemonhead75]

I just say "Merry CHristmas" since i really don't know anyone of another religion.

[SirLemming]

I'm going to copy and paste from my blog, not because I'm a shameless self-promoter, but because I wrote it specifically to have a prepared stock response to this topic.

At one time or another you've probably seen someone rant about people saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". Well, get ready to see it again. But this may be more even-handed than you're used to, because I have two hands, and two is an even number.

I understand what stores are trying to do at this time of year. There are other religiously derived celebrations in December aside from Christmas, and so if you want to maximize your consumer appeal, you try to include everyone. I can accept that. And I can accept an office party being called a "Holiday Party" or saying "Happy Holidays" to someone you don't know too well. (On the other hand, I think it would be ridiculous for anyone to feel shame for accidentally wishing someone a Merry Christmas. Some people act as if this is the same thing as walking up to a Jewish guy and doing a Nazi salute.)

But the real problem I have is when people take things that are obviously Christmas-related and substitute the word "Holiday" in there. If you call a Christmas tree a Holiday tree, you are delusional. Sure, it may have nothing to do with Jesus, but it does have to do with Christmas, one way or another. What the heck else is it? Stop lying. It's just silly. Would you call A Christmas Story a "holiday" movie? Who does that help?

Anything that celebrates Jesus or Santa Claus in December is a Christmas thing and the word "Christmas" should never be removed from it. And no one should feel afraid or guilty about celebrating Christmas as much as they want. Sure, those who celebrate other holidays might feel left out, but what do you expect? That's what country you're in. Christmas is deeply ingrained in American (and much of European) culture, both for Christians and many non-Christians. The great thing is that you're free to celebrate whatever you want to celebrate. But for that to work, you have to accept the possibility that you'll be outnumbered.

Let's not be babies about this, people. Everyone's responsible for their own holiday cheer. Celebrate the season in whatever way feels right to you (as long as it doesn't involve murder) and let the rest work itself out. Incidentally, this is also good advice for those who feel that Christmas "just isn't doing it for you" anymore.

I'll also add that saying "Happy Holidays" is something I've done all my life, long before I'd heard any disputes of this sort, just because saying "Merry Christmas" over and over for a whole month gets tiresome. Also, "Happy Holidays" works better before the 25th. I usually save the actual "Merry Christmas" for the very day.

[Mr. Wednesday]

I just say Merry Christmas, but I have nothing against the other seasonal greetings. I just feel that anyone who believes in the "War On Christmas" is being whiny. If people want to say Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays or vice versa, it's their right to do it. But I just feel that they shouldn't force that belief onto others.

[G. Wen]

Should it really matter? It's all just wishing people a positive experience. If someone said, "Happy Ramedan" to me, even though I'm not Muslim, I would still be happy because they are wishing me a positive experience.

[Shawn Hopkins]

Should it really matter? It's all just wishing people a positive experience. If someone said, "Happy Ramedan" to me, even though I'm not Muslim, I would still be happy because they are wishing me a positive experience.

It would be like that if people didn't let their prejudices and hang ups rule them. It reminds me of the old Lenny Bruce routine where he talks about how telling someone "F you" could be a positive thing if people weren't uptight and eager to think of sex as dirty.

[Baby Naruto]

I'll say whatever is appropriate for the situation. If it's someone I don't know, "Happy Holidays" it is since I don't know what they celebrate, unless they say "Merry Christmas" first. I don't take offense one way or another. The sentiment is the same no matter what you say, after all.

^ This is exactly how I do it as well. If I don't know them well enough and/or if they don't say Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah first, I say Happy Holidays.

But, if they do say Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah first and/or if I know them well enough, I will say Merry Christmas.

[SSJPabs]

Happy Ramahanakwanzamas!

Yes I know Ramadan was over months ago. For Islamic Toonzoners I say, happy Second Eid which was over yesterday I think.

I always say Happy Holidays cuz I don't feel like repeating my self with all them that are around so it's a catch all.

[Shawn Hopkins]

Happy Christmahanakwanzaka to you!

[Fifi Fanatic]

"Merry Christmas" for me. I figure if someone gets huffy about it, then they, not me, are the one that's trying to be Scrooge.

I have no problem with someone wishing me a "Happy Hanukkah", or myself doing the same in return. But I'm not going to be afraid to say "Merry Christmas." So, like my little avatar up there currently says: "Joyeux Noel." :)


I thought Festivus was the deputy on "Gunsmoke" *rimshot*.

[Silverstar]

If I know 'em and they're Christian, "Merry Christmas".

If I know 'em and they're Jewish (I have a lot of Jewish friends for some reason), "Happy Hanukkah".

If I don't know 'em or don't know what they adhere to, "Happy Holidays". Or I just say "Have a Happy" and let 'em fill in their own blanks. ;)

[Mynd Hed]

Should it really matter? It's all just wishing people a positive experience. If someone said, "Happy Ramedan" to me, even though I'm not Muslim, I would still be happy because they are wishing me a positive experience.

Exactly. If it's Ramadan, and they're wishing me a happy one, I'd rather take that in the spirit it's meant. It's the same thing as saying "Have a nice day," except that they're being slightly more specific about which day it is.

Last year after getting back to work having been off for Christmas, I was making small talk with a coworker and asked her if she did anything for Christmas. She went off on me about how she doesn't celebrate Christmas and how I shouldn't make assumptions and winter solstices and blah blah blah. Which would have been fine, except that I DIDN'T make any assumptions. That's specifically why I phrased it as a QUESTION, to give her the opportunity to nicely say, "Oh, I don't celebrate Christmas, but this is what I did with my day off."

But yes, the phrase "War on Christmas" greatly overstates the nature and urgency of the thing.

[Lynxara]

I like Happy Holidays because it also covers New Year's, and that awesome lazy week between Christmas and New Year's.

[Ed Liu]

I say "Bah, Humbug!" :mad:

Just to the whole concept of a "War on Christmas," though. For the rest, I go with what I know about the person I'm saying it to, or "Happy Holidays" if I don't. "Holiday" is a concept that encompasses "Christmas," but not the other way around, so it works no matter which holiday you're celebrating or how devoutly you celebrate it. It's more of a linguistic statement than a political one. The only case "Happy Holidays" doesn't cover is if you don't celebrate anything at all, in which case I'm wishing you a happy holiday because nobody else anywhere really seems all that concerned about what you think ;).

That being said, it's a Christmas tree just as it's a Hanukkah/Chanukah menorah.

-- Ed

[Swordfish_II]

I wish everyone here a joyful Saturnalia. :)

[Speedy Boris]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/Michael24/Holidays/happyfestivus.jpg

:D You better have a damn good reason why you gave me a -fake- Christmas gift.

[Michael24]

Last year after getting back to work having been off for Christmas, I was making small talk with a coworker and asked her if she did anything for Christmas. She went off on me about how she doesn't celebrate Christmas and how I shouldn't make assumptions and winter solstices and blah blah blah. Which would have been fine, except that I DIDN'T make any assumptions. That's specifically why I phrased it as a QUESTION, to give her the opportunity to nicely say, "Oh, I don't celebrate Christmas, but this is what I did with my day off."

A similar thing happened to my mom several years ago, I think the first Christmas we were living in our new neighborhood. She'd bought some bottles of sparkling cider to give to several neighbors. When we went to the last house, my mom said something like, "Here's just a little Christmas gift for you and wife." The husband informed us that they were actually Jehovah's Witnesses, but he was polite about it and didn't take offense to our assuming, and my mom said, "Oh. Okay, well, you can at least still just enjoy the cider over dinner."

You better have a damn good reason why you gave me a -fake- Christmas gift.

"Well, sir, I gave out the fake card, because, um, I don't really celebrate Christmas. I celebrate Festivus. Festivus. And I was afraid that I would be persecuted for my beliefs. They drove my family out of Bayside, sir!" :D

[Scythemantis]

Everyone else is doing a fine job keeping this apolitical, but the original wording of this topic felt like a personal attack against my demographic. There was obvious contempt, and I'm surprised it wasn't locked.

[SirLemming]

But the issue has already been addressed, so you should probably just let sleeping dogs lie. Believe me, I've seen plenty of posts (over the years) that offend my somewhat right-leaning ways, but aside from reporting them (which I do, depending on the severity) all I can do is let the mods deal with it in whatever way they see fit.

[Shawn Hopkins]

Nobody else I know has any problem with it either. I have never felt so personally attacked by a TZ post since I first joined.


You must have stayed out of the election threads.:p

[Tenku]

Well, I reworded the topic to better reflect the poll questions instead of 'war'.

War on Christmas is just silly.

Honestly, I say Happy Holidays. It's more of a cover for Christmas, New Years, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day for Canadians and Australian friends, Festivus, Hanukkah.

[Daxdiv]

Hmm... no nod to Decemberween?

[Scythemantis]

My sentiments as a liberal agnostic are that everyone has the right to celebrate anything they want, at any time, as openly as they want as long as they don't intend to make other cultures feel unwelcome, which is rarely the intent behind public Christmas displays.

Most of the people I personally know who advocate "happy holidays" are actually conservative Christians who are sick of the word "christ" on all this soulless marketing and consumerism every year.

There's a wide, wide range of reasons why people get offended by public holiday displays, and I can honestly understand where ALL of them are coming from, but in the end, why does anybody care how the local mall or Mcdonalds is decorated? Why does it matter what word a commercial uses to hock seasonal sales? Whether all, one or no religion is represented in public, the only thing that matters is what you do in your own home with your own family.


But the issue has already been addressed, so you should probably just let sleeping dogs lie.Quacktoon sure hasn't addressed it yet, though. I opted to tone down my reply and PM him instead.


You must have stayed out of the election threads.In recent years I've frequented TZ less and less, very rarely checking the general discussion forums. I didn't realize there'd have been any election threads with politics expressly prohibited :p

[GWOtaku]

Merry Christmas is a fine thing to say, which I do most of the time. Sometimes people say Happy Holidays, and that's just fine too. In point of fact, most of us are very inclusive and that's for the best. Hence the phrase "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year," I would suppose.

Funny story though: at one point Amazon had a "12 days of holiday" sale which I noticed later became Christmas. Yeah, guys, the whole 12 days thing actually does reference a song that actually exists. :p

[Radical Raven]

They made an exception. It didn't go too well.

You know, I think the only real losers in this argument are the people who choose to make a big deal out of it. If a christian tells me "Merry Christmas", it's obvious they weren't trying to insult me... and if a store has a "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" sign up, who really cares? Getting insulted by any exclamation of joy and goodwill is pretty ridiculous, as has already been covered.

[The Cartoon]

I'm liberal, but I say Merry Christmas.

[Sapphire Sky]

I don't know what Happy Hanukkah means [i'm guessing it means similar to Merry Christmas since it's on the same line..] but I usually say Merry Christmas.

[Michael24]

I don't know what Happy Hanukkah means

:eek:

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that's celebrated for eight days around Christmastime.

[SirLemming]

I just want to take this opportunity to disassociate myself from anything that suggests I may have agreed with the original intentions of this thread.

[The Landstander]

As a general in the War on Christmas, and I don't take any joy in this statement, I am beginning to feel the war may be unwinnable.

[purplehairedwonder]

Everyone chill. No political discussion and make sure to respect your fellow posters. Failure to do so WILL lead to infractions.Now, let's stick to the general topic of the holiday greetings you use. Thanks.

[Desensitized]

Greeting wise, always Merry Christmas.

When it involves partings, I usually wait for them to say whatever they want, then I say 'you too' or something.

[Captain Highwind]

As a general in the War on Christmas, and I don't take any joy in this statement, I am beginning to feel the war may be unwinnable.

That's because elves are healers. They're useless on the front lines.

Christmas needs more orcs.

[Tenku]

Christmas needs more orcs.

Needs more Dakka (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MoreDakka).

Oh! Orcs with a C not a K...

Eh, Dakka works for everyone.

[GWOtaku]

That's because elves are healers. They're useless on the front lines.


Useless? Nonsense! I say thee nay! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq57KYOL8fI) :p

Yes, I am happy to report that the war ended favorably. ;)

[Rolling Cloud]

Depends on who I'm talking to...

-if it's one of my friends..I'll say "Merry Christmas"
-if it's someone in my family, I'll say.. "Happy Hanukkah"

[Baby Naruto]

Depends on who I'm talking to...

-if it's one of my friends..I'll say "Merry Christmas"
-if it's someone in my family, I'll say.. "Happy Hanukkah"

I didn't know that you were Jewish man, that's cool :D. Some of my most fave actors and celebrities are Jewish too ^_^.

[DarthGonzo]

Considering just about everyone I know celebrates it...

Merry Christmas.

[Mr. Pedro]

"X-Mas" greetings go to those who I know celebrate it and the "holidays" for when I can't confirm that information and don't want to feel presumptive. Nothing more.

[AlgeaX]

I prefer to wish everyone a Glorious Feast of The Bi-Sexual Mongoose!

[Ishtar]

Usually I say Merry Christmas, because that's pretty much what I've been raised to say and Christmas has always been something I celebrated. I will say "Happy Holidays" to people I don't know or people I know but aren't sure what holiday they celebrate.

[Light Lucario]

I'll usually just say Happy Holidays to people if I don't know them too well. I usually only say Merry Christmas to my family members. If someone says Merry Christmas to me, then I'll say it back to them. That's about it really.