[Discussion] Your opinion: "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays"?

[⊗Slenderman⊗]

This seems controversial among people. Which do you say and which do you prefer to be said to you? If you don't celebrate Christmas (or agree with it because of your religion), do you find it offensive to be told "Merry Christmas" during this season?

(Please excuse my typos. Spellcheck is being weird and it randomly takes half of a word, thinks that it's a separate word, and claims that it's spelled wrong.)

[Toujours]

I really, really, seriously don't care. I don't say any of them to people, I always just say "Have a nice day", and if someone says either to me I automatically reply "you too" without thinking of what it is.

[Sydian]

I say Merry Christmas cause that's just what we say here. It's not like it's a bad or offensive message, nor is it given in a rude fashion to where even if you don't celebrate it, you shouldn't feel the need to get all upset over it. And the same goes for Happy Holidays. It doesn't freaking matter. Both are positive messages, so why the fuss? It's not like people are saying "go **** yourself." That's a reason to be upset.

[jellicentfan1]

I say Merry Christmas because the Holiday we celebrate is Christmas. If you don't celebrate it, just ignore it and move on.

[Keiran777]

I don't attribute modern Christmas to any religion, and I think it's silly to do so, but I still say "Happy Holidays" because it's a term that encompasses every holiday happening around the same time. I don't take offense to Merry Christmas.

If any holiday has the ability to be offensive, it's Thanksgiving.

[KingCharizard]

Originally Posted by ⊗Slenderman⊗

This seems controversial among people. Which do you say and which do you prefer to be said to you? If you don't celebrate Christmas (or agree with it because of your religion), do you find it offensive to be told "Merry Christmas" during this season?

(Please excuse my typos. Spellcheck is being weird and it randomly takes half of a word, thinks that it's a separate word, and claims that it's spelled wrong.)

Happy Holidays, because of the different religions, not everyone celebrates christmas and I dont want to offend anyone. Me personally IDC which one is said to me because I celebrate christmas..

Also I wanna note I work for the salvation army, when I'm helping with the kettle work, I am supposed to thank someone for their donation and wish them either a merry christmas or happy holidays, I always say happy holidays

[Mario The World Champion]

Whichever works for me. If you're so sensitive over this due to your religion and get offended, loosen up. It's the Holidays and good will towards all men and women. I would use a quote the Angry Video Game Nerd said about Christmas greetings, but I can't say it here.

Personally, I never say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays when I go out and buy something. If someone does say that to me, I at least thank them for that

[Patchisou Yutohru]

I celebrate Christmas, so I say Merry Christmas unless someone says Happy Holidays to me first, then I'll say it back. Even to people who don't. I really don't care how they take it. If someone gets offended from me saying that, honestly, I would be thrilled. I love offending people in stupid ways like that, because it means that they have some things to take care of if they take things that seriously.

[Harlequin]

It's Christmas time so....I'll say Merry Christmas...because it's Christmas time?

[⊗Slenderman⊗]

Interesting. (:

I myself say "Merry Christmas". After all, that usually is the holiday in "happy holidays"!

[TRIFORCE89]

I use "Happy Holidays" if I'm referencing the entire season (like from... American Thanksgiving through to New Year's).

If it's the week of Christmas or thereabouts and I won't be seeing someone or won't be in contact with them by the actual date, then I'll wish them a Merry Christmas.

I have no problem wishing others a Merry Christmas, even if they aren't of the same religion or any religion. I'd have no problem if someone wishes me a Happy Hanukkah even though I'm not Jewish, for example. It's giving someone well wishes for a day that's important to you. Although, I'd likely wish someone who is Jewish both a Happy Hanukkah and a Merry Christmas. (And whatever else is applicable for other religions and cultures and whatever)

And over all, "Happy Holidays" and "Seasons Greetings" doesn't bug me at all. Seeing "X-mas" does though.

[Curious.]

I say Merry Christmas. People can take it in whatever way they wish to.

[AllyJacqui]

Merry Christmas. If someone is going to get torn up over by a few little words then let them. It isn't worth it, honestly.

[Went]

Here in Spain, it's the Christmas Holidays, and it doesn't matter whether you believe in Jesus or not, it's the name these two weeks get and that's it. If someone says "happy holidays" so he doesn't "offend" non-catholic people, we look at him all "uuuh... 'Christmas' doesn't offend anybody".

It also helps that the Spanish word, 'Navidad' doesn't have 'Christ' anywhere, I guess?

[Hikari10]

I say Merry Christmas, cos I'm catholic.

Also, I second what Went said. Christmas doesn't offend anybody, not even non-catholics.

[FreakyLocz14]

I say "Happy Christmas" unless I know for a fact that the person I am greeting does not celebrate Christmas. I'm not ashamed of the fact that I'm a Christian who celebrates Christmas.

[Gerokunz]

I say Merry Christmas because Happy Holidays is er... my opinion it's weird. :p

[AWsquared]

I say Merry Christmas because of my religion , but also because I don't get how people can get offended by two words. It's silly if people do.

[⊗Slenderman⊗]

Originally Posted by TRIFORCE89

I use "Happy Holidays" if I'm referencing the entire season (like from... American Thanksgiving through to New Year's).

If it's the week of Christmas or thereabouts and I won't be seeing someone or won't be in contact with them by the actual date, then I'll wish them a Merry Christmas.

I have no problem wishing others a Merry Christmas, even if they aren't of the same religion or any religion. I'd have no problem if someone wishes me a Happy Hanukkah even though I'm not Jewish, for example. It's giving someone well wishes for a day that's important to you. Although, I'd likely wish someone who is Jewish bother a Happy Hanukkah and a Merry Christmas. (And whatever else is applicable for other religions and cultures and whatever)

And over all, "Happy Holidays" and "Seasons Greetings" doesn't bug me at all. Seeing "X-mas" does though.

I agree with you. It makes sense saying "holidays" before Thanksgiving, but the thought never occurred to me before.

Exactly. I mean, my family is Christian, but if someone were to tell us "Happy Passover" (wrong season, yes), I wouldn't be bothered (and frankly, my family celebrates it anyway).

[LilJz1234]

I say Merry Christmas, I don't relate this holiday to religion at all. I just find it's a fantastic holiday to hang out with your family and friends and give presents to each other and have a good time together.

[Sydian]

Exactly. I mean, my family is Christian, but if someone were to tell us "Happy Passover" (wrong season, yes), I wouldn't be bothered (and frankly, my family celebrates it anyway).

To be honest, if someone came up to me and told me "Happy *insert holiday I don't celebrate*" that would be awesome. I would really love it if someone told me "Happy Hanukkah" you don't even know omg. I would just love that seriously.

Just a different phrase for once would be nice! lol

[Scarf]

Does anyone really get offended when they hear "Merry Christmas?" (Personally, I hate Christmas, but I despise the music and commercialism and not someone's attempt at being nice, although really, to say something like "I wish people Merry Christmas. I don't care if they get upset." isn't really getting in the Christmas spirit, is it?)

I thought the controversy over this was about how people started saying Happy Holidays ('cause, you know, they realized not everyone follows Christmas and they were trying to be nice), but some people said "No! You're trying to destroy Christmas!" and got all hurt that not everyone in the world was saying Merry Christmas.

[F1refly]

I don't celebrate christmas per se. Here in South Africa, wether you're christian or not, we celebrate christmas. My mom thinks it's all just a money making scheme, I agree but I think it's the illuminati behind it. Nah, just kidding. The real truth behind christmas would probably offend christians so I shant say it out of good faith.

On topic: I say Merry Christmas as it's that time of the year so why not.

Off topic: I do however get offended when people say "Bless you" when I sneeze. I always say "Gesundheit" if anyone sneezes, regardless of religion.

[Kura]

My opinion? Someone is just wishing for you to have a great month or great time and new year.. so what should it matter what exact terminology they use?

I think I pretty much summed up what I wanted to say just like that hahaha

[Kanto_Johto]

Originally Posted by Scarf

Does anyone really get offended when they hear "Merry Christmas"?

Yes. Whenever someone says "Merry Christmas" it sends me into fits of ungodly rage.

But in all seriousness, I say Merry Christmas just because that's the name of the holiday we celebrate. Happy Holidays is fine too. I had no idea there was controversy over a modified phrase. I'm assuming it's to do with religion and the like. Never bothered me though.