i'd like to ask your opinion on Merry Christmas versus Happy Holidays. I'm very respectful that people celebrate different holidays, have different religious views and have personal beliefs that make them who they are - that goodness for that as it makes the world an interesting place.

I am not a religious person, just someone who grew up celebrating Christmas as our december holiday. So, I'd like to ask is Merry Christmas offensive or is Happy Holidays offensive or, is neutralizing the holiday to a happy holiday really an insult to both parties since neither can feel free to express who they are.

what's a person to do?

Here's my thought. Those who are offended by someone giving them a wish of happiness or merriment should not be offended and just simply say "thank you". Wouldn't that be the good manners that our parents taught us?

I have a good friend who doesn't celebrate Christmas, before she became by good friend I wished her a Merry Christmas, and she said, thank you for the good wishes, I'm Jewish so I wish you a a happy Hanukkah. We both laughed, but the spirit of our good wishes for each other was not lost in the choice of what holiday one choose to celebrate.

what do you guys think?

I'm right there with you on this one.The way I look at it is whatever is said just means you want to wish a person happiness, good cheer etc.
I'm PC about some things but I never understood the offense people take at this time of year.
I take whatever someone says as a kindness and answer accordingly!!- like, thank you!!! :D

I have a good friend who doesn't celebrate Christmas, before she became by good friend I wished her a Merry Christmas, and she said, thank you for the good wishes, I'm Jewish so I wish you a a happy Hanukkah. We both laughed, but the spirit of our good wishes for each other was not lost in the choice of what holiday one choose to celebrate.

You and your friend have it right! You are both being who you are and that is the best it gets. Good for you and Merry Christmas and a blessed and prosperious New Year. No one should be offended at honesty.

When I worked in the food business my cousin was waiting tables two days before christmas and wrote "happy holidays" on the back of their bill. They flipped out on her, they don't celebrate holidays. I thought they were just being mean. Why not just say thanks. All it means is you wish them well and you took the time to say so. Some people are way to sensitive about this season. I would never be offended if someone said "happy kwanza" (I think I spelled it wrong) or anything that was not the usual for me. I would find that endearing and say thank you. I guess it all comes down to their true inner beauty and kindness. So I say from my life to yours, "Merry Christmas."

I don't know when the "politically correct" police got involved but i believe whenever you wish someone happiness is should be okay no matter which phrase you use! Some celebrate and some don't but everyone could use a little good cheer these days :!: Happy Everything!!!

Christmas is the celebration of Christ's birth. I always wish you Merry Christmas

Actually, both are correct if you think about it. "Holiday" is a substitue for "holy day" altho it's come to mean anything that's celebrated. So I think it's great when people wish me happy holidays or Merry Christmas-they're thinking of my happiness and Lord knows this world can use some more happiness --and some just plain common sense!
Peace & joy to all!!

Jan, I'll take that peace with THANKS!! I need it :D:D

I don't take offense to either one. What gets me is when I see Merry Christmas written as Merry X-mas as if they are trying to remove Christ completely from the picture. Now that's when I get mad.

If anyone wishes me happiness I'm all for it. If you're Jewish you can wish me Happy Hannukah, if you're Christian wish me Merry Christmas, if you don't know what you are, wish me Seasons Greetings. It's all good. It seems to me that Political Correctness should be to have a little diplomacy, politeness and good manners.


BTW, here's wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

"Imagine all the people living life in peace...you may say I dreamer but I'm not the only one....I hope someday you'll join us...and the world will live as one...."

To those who choose to be offended I wish them a "Happy Festives Day!"

I used to wait tables, we always wrote Happy Holidays to! Luckily no one ever freaked out on me, lol!
Why cant people just say Thanks, someone is wishing them a HAPPY DAY< anyhow!

i tend to look and look until i find greeting cards that say Merry Christmas rather than Happy Holidays. i had enough of having to say happy Holidays when working. on the telephone recording that was all i could put too.

being forced not to say it just didn't go well with me.
otherwise anyone can say what every holiday they are celebrating to me and i'm fine with that. this is one small round world.

I say Merry Christmas with no apologies. If someone wishes me Happy Holidays, I respond with Merry Christmas.

I have no religion, but take no offense at anything said in the form of good wishes. I have always celebrated Christmas as a winter holiday, because it always happened around me, and it is easier to join in than not to.

But I wish folks Happy Christmas, because the word Merry, to me has connotations of alcahol included in it, and I don't drink either.

Ohhhhh I love your John Lennon lyrics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I agree!

Too many other "important" things to worry about in the world today other than "political correctness" which was established by those who have nothing better to complain about!

Merry Christmas!!!

No Christmas trees,no Nativity displays,no Santas at the mall,just to name a few.
I don't accept the economy as the reason. Seems no one wants to offend.
Personally, this year when someone wishes me Happy Holidays. I respond by saying I wish you a Merry Christmas and very Happy New Year.

I am a Merry Christmas person. I am a Christian, I am proud of my religion, I beleive in my religion, and I am not forcing my faith on you by saying Merry Christmas. I am just being kind and giving you a warm greeting.

If people don't like what I say, I will smile and give the "doe in the headligths look" and walk away. What I said was not meant to upset anyone, but to be kind and friendly.

I don't get why, as a Christian, I am supposed to be sypmathetic towards others that may not believe the same as me, and keep my greetings to myself. They surely don't keep their beleifs to themselves when they get offended over a simple greeting. JMO

I use " Xmas " alot. It always reminds me of the cross? It is amazing how everyone can look at things so differently. I am a Christian, I am celebrating Jesus's birthday. but no matter anyone's religious views I want them to have a wonderful holiday with love in their lives and happiness in there hearts.

I say Merry Christmas because I am Christian. If some one said Happy Hannukah or Happy Holidays, I would not be offended. I would take it in the good spirit it was intended. In a world where we are suppose to be accepting of other religions, then please be accepting of mine and allow me to wish you a Merry Christmas!

lol, I know people who get bent when you tell them to have a nice day. I guess some people just don't know how ;-)

I have finally decided that the PC police have been a good thing. In the old days, most of us would say Merry Christmas without really thinking about it. When 'Merry Christmas' or the baby in the manger, etc. became politically incorrect, the good thing it did was remind us of how important our faith is, and of the true meaning behind the Christmas spirit. I doubt if there would have been a thread on this board discussing holiday greetings if we hadn't been made to feel it was 'bad' to say Merry Christmas.

I have seen more people showing more identification with their faith and beliefs since we were told we couldn't express them. So in the end, instead of ridding the world of the true meaning of this holiday, the PC Police have actually strengthened our need to share whatever our beliefs are with others.

Meh...I send light and love to everyone I meet. I fully believe my intent shines through, and if someone is offended I just know that they're "not there yet" and could use some compassion.

Last year was the first Christmas without my DH. My heartbroken kids pulled out the faded plastic nativity and put it in the yard. It's all we want. I'm seeing more crosses in yards, too. It is comforting and a small symbol of our faith. Could care less about politically correct..Merry Christmas.

Myself, I always say Merry Christmas and the ones that say have a happy holiday I just say thank you and the same to you. The only thing I don't like is when the company tells you you can't say Merry Christmas.

God Bless and Merry Christmas to all.

I don't get offended when folks wish me a merry christmas or happy hanukkah or whatever. I just ask that if you wish me a merry christmas that you don't get your panties in a wad if I wish you a Happy Solstice....

What is politically correct anyway? Isn't it a phrase a politician uses so as not to offend anyone so they can get your vote? I am not a politician, since when am I required to stoop to lower myself to be a generic person, hiding who I am so as not to offend someone else? I don't go out of my way to offend anyone and certainly have no desire to do so, but some of the offense is the other persons responsibility. Merry Christmas! Christ is the reason for the season.

I think that there's entirely too much "political correctness" in the world today. I'm not religious but wishing me a Merry Christmas doesn't offend me at all. Unfortunately, Christmas, Thanksgiving and any other major holiday is so commercialized that the REAL meaning of the holiday is forgotten, it's about how much money they can get you to spend and go into debt for.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A GREAT NEW YEAR TO ALL.

I agree with you completely except I am a Christian and I say Merry Christmas or Christmas Blessings. I am glad that even though you say you are not religious, you accept the Merry Christmas greeting without offense. I wish everyone would do the same. Oh, how right you are about the real meaning of the holidays being forgotten by so many...it makes me sad...but they are not lost to me and my family and friends and we do celebrate the real meaning of Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. I wish you all a Blessed Christmas and a Blessings beyond measure for the New Year.

I think some people like to be offended.

I am guilty of using Xmas a lot, but it is because it is difficult for me to write or type, not because I am leaving out Christ. I guess I never thought about that being offending to anyone. As for being PC, I am 71 years old, I am who I am, not about to do much different for the rest of my life. If I offend, I am sorry, not my intention to offend anyone, and I doubt if others mean to offend me. Why walk around with a chip on your shoulder all the time. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! BTW, I have a dear neighbor who is Jewish, and she sends me a Christmas card and wishes me merry Christmas , and I respond in her faith.

I agree! my one DD works as a waitress and had someone go off on her because she dressed up for halloween(requested to do so by her emp.)she wasn't dressed as anything evil - a raggedy ann - but it "offended" these folks

Hear, hear!

I say Merry Christmas, but I will also reply with Happy Holidays too.
I know in my heart what this season means to me, and I try and be respectful to other's beliefs too. :D:D:D

I haven't had anyone go off on me yet. I think if they did I would apologize and tell them I only meant to wish happiness and for things to go well for them during this season but if it would make them happy then have a rotten holiday.
So sick of politically correct.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

I'm with you!

I am a "Merry Christmas" person from early childhood. But, I do have some Jewish friends on my holiday list - I always try to find two different card styles - one says Merry Christmas and one says Happy Holidays. I try to be mindful of the beliefs of my friends when sending cards. Not sure why anyone would take offense at Happy Holidays - does that mean they don't recognize New Years as a holiday? I wonder if they volunteer to work Christmas and New Years at their jobsso that those who do celebrate can have the day off? My guess would be "NO". That said - Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all on the board!!

My opinion is this: I cannot be expected to know the personal beliefs of everyone I meet. I don't necessarily assume that everyone celebrates Christmas, but I assume that well-wishes are to be taken for what they are - which is well-wishes, so I wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I have no particular problem with "Happy Holidays" but it just sounds bland to me.

Christmas is celebrated as a secular holiday by some and a religious holiday by others, so to me wishing "Merry Christmas" has no particular religious overtones.

I would not be offended if someone wished me a happy day on a holiday that I don't celebrate myself.