As for Christmas vs. holidays, people on both sides need to get over the PC crap and stop looking for excuses to be offended. Christians - show some sensitivity and if you know for a fact someone isn't Christian, modify your language in expressing wishes for the season. If someone greets you with "happy holidays," don't automatically take it as an insult or try to force the person into saying the word "Christmas."

Non-Christians - same as above. If someone greets you with "Merry Christmas," don't take it as an attempt to convert you. Also, like it or not, the majority of the US identifies as Christian. The celebration of Christmas is a deeply rooted tradition here, so please stop trying to force stores to stop using the word "Christmas." (I agree with separation of Church and State.) I have heard complaints that you feel "left out" during the season, but, honestly, I've never seen anyone try to prevent a store from promoting Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan or whatever. In fact, if you feel so left out, perhaps you should start a letter writing campaign encouraging stores to market to your holiday of choice. That way you, too can be relentlessly inundated by marketing campaigns promoting an impossible to achieve ideal targeted specifically to you!

I work at Starbucks, and I really don't want to offend anyone.  At work I probably will not say anything until the customer says something to me.  If they say "Happy Holidays," I'll reply "same to you."  If they say "Merry Christmas," I will reply with "Merry Christmas."  Or I might say "Merry Christmas" if it is very evident that they celebrate the holiday.  Also, at Starbucks, we have the Christmas Blend coffee, which is a huge favorite of customers.  We also have something called Holiday Blend.  These are both the same blend of coffee, but we offer it in Holiday Blend for people who do not celebrate Christmas.  We try to be as PC as possible, but it's hard at Christmas time.  Seriously, people just need to chill.  I celebrate Christmas, and if someone said to me Happy Chanukah, I would not be offended.  I would just know they are Jewish.  It's really not a big deal. 

One other thing...kind of ridiculous that a Christian organization was going to sue a company because there wasn't enough "Christmas" in the store.  Just get all your friends to send in their comments to the store, and next year, they will fix it.  In all reality, all companies want is to make their customers happy so that they continue to return.  People just gotta chill out.  Christmas/Chanukah/Kwanza/whatever is supposed to be a happy time, not a time to get all PC with people.  If someone tells you merry Christmas, and you celebrate Kwanza, just say so.  No one is going to be mad at you.  For real. 

They should be greated with Merry Christmas as that is what it is.  Holiday is a bartardization of Holy Day.  So when you say Happy Holiday, which Holy Day are you referring to?  You can say Happy Kawanza, Happy Chanukah with no problem, so why not Merry Christmas.  This PC stuff is really getting rediculous!

I'm Christian but I honestly don't care if I get wished a Merry Christmas or happy Holidays.  Christians shouldn't be so picky.

On the other hand, I wouldn't care if i got wished a Happy Chanukah or Ramadan (I got wished a good Roshashanah earlier this year.

The intention of the statement is to wish you well, or to capitalize on your holiday (whichever one you celebrate) spending.  You should treat it by its intention and not by the specific words.

I absolutely agree with Miss Anthropy! Actually, I always thought that either was correct because there are several holidays lumped together, Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year's, Kwanzaa, Yom Kippur, etc. and so happy holidays was always correct. I personally don't care and I'm getting sick to death of all the political correctness in this country. How about saying "have a nice day" and meaning it?

Surveys show that about 98% of Americans are going to celebrate Christmas in some form or another. I was also taught that there is such a thing as freedom of religion in this country. Why, when so many people are going to celebrate Christmas, would you refer to it as any other name.

Who cares - per the Bible, Christ was born in the summertime. Just call it Shopping Month Madness.

It is a silly discussion period. It just shows how petty we are in today's world to even worry about it when there are so many other things to worry about that are more important.

For me, the "holiday" stretches from Thanksgiving to the New Year.  During that period, there are many events ranging from the lesser-known- Yule, St. Lucia, etc;  to the more mainstream- Christmas and Hanukkah.  During that time I feel happy, and I enjoy the festive mood everywhere.  It is a time of positive energy and good feeling that the world is ok.  it is a time when I feel that small kindnesses can really make a difference to someone in need.

Who really cares how someone sends me good wishes.  Why make it a religious thing when not everyone is a Christian?  (I AM a Christian by the way).  If I say "Happy Holidays", I am merely wishing you a great month of holidays.  If I say "Merry Christmas", I wish you one day of happiness only.

Get over it people- it is silly to worry about.  With how rude people can be to one another nowadays, isn't it nice to simply get a positive greeting period?

Happy Holidays to all!

Well said!

I am also Christian, but it annoys me that people insist on taking "happy holidays" as some sort of anti-Christmas attack.  It's stupid.  WE DO NOT OWN THIS TIME OF YEAR.  Have some sensitivity to the fact that the other person might be shopping for Hanakkuh or some other holiday  

I'm a Messianic believer, so I find myself on a unique side of the issue.  I don't believe that the tradition of Christmas is a legitimate way to celbrate the Messiah, so I don't celebrate Christmas.  I also associate with many mainstream Christian organizations in my work, so my family is constantly bombarded with Christmas "stuff" for months, but I have to respect that they believe their traditions are valid.

I used subscribe to Focus On The Family and the American Family Association and I stopped because of their relentless Christmas campaigns.  When are so-called Christians going to realize that forcing "Christmas" down everyone's throat does not improve the holier-than-thou perception that non-believers have toward Christians?  They are behaving in a decidedly un-Christlike manner.  Faith is a decision that each person makes on their own, not a behavior that you can control with negative campaigning.  Do they really want people to be forced to say and advertise "Merry Christmas", but not really believing it?  Mass conversions went out of style centuries ago.

Most Christians I know feel like their Christmas experience isn't spiritual enough- that there is too much commercialism and materialism.  Yet they give billions of dollars to Christian organizations like FOTF and AFA that put the focus back on shopping and materialism.  The money that these organizations spend to force commerce and the media to put a Christian perspective on everything they do would make you sick.  If they really cared, they would put that money to better use.

Look, Christmas "season" is just that, the Christmas season. The whole retail industry for ...well forever .. here in the US... got the whole thing tied to Christmas. To take the "holy" meaning out of Christmas they even created Santa Claus (or should it really be CLAUSE?). Anyway, its a Christmas based season... not the other holidays of other religions. Also, for those who are not Christian, why are you not on your soap boxes about NEW YEAR! Happy New Year is Christian based too! Jewish have their own, Islam, Chiness, etc.... Yet they all don't make a big deal out of that. But I have had some people correct me when I say Happy New Year ...tell me its not their holiday. Even though they have to deal with that calendar. Bottom line Christmas season and New Year are Christian based. The retailers should stick to that, since they marketed the Christmas season. The other holidays do not have gift giving as part of their holiday. Gift giving is based on Christ getting gifts from the 3 wise men. So bottom line, Merry Christmas! or cover your butt and say... "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!" (adding Happy New Year will stop the PC stuff!)

As for your hubris, Jesus Christ WAS a person that DID exist, and records validate his existence via Roman records in Jerusalem.

I'll be anxiously awaiting to hear from you as to exactly which records these are, because while Christians regularly invoke their existence in order to provide a justification for belief, they've never once been shown to actually exist.

It's interesting to me that, in one breath, you criticize me for being a "pompous reason-based prick," but in another breath you try to use reason to prove to me and others that your beliefs are historically justified. Furthermore, the fact that you see a "reason-based" outlook on life as something worthy of insult says a great deal about you and your aberrant beliefs.

Merry Christmas!

I do not see how wishing someone a Merry Christmas would be insulting?! It's not like calling them a dirty name or somemthing! I have been wished Happy Hannukah or Kwanzaa and never felt insulted even though I do not celebrate THOSE holidays! I will say, for me personally, Happy Holidays means Thanksgiving/CHristmas/New Years...maybe we could just say "Happy" no feast, no holiday...just "Happy"---I will admit I do not like that either. I my house it's Merry Christmas!

Personally,  Happy Holidays is versatile.  It's a safe house for stores.  How anyone can take offence to it when it refers to any holiday there is.  If they do take offence to that then they have a problem. 

I have been a retail employee since 1999 with only 1 year as an exception. For 7 of those years I have been the manager of a toy department and work an extended number of hours in November and December.

Personally, I use the phrase "Happy Holidays" simply because made a personal choice not to affiliate myself with any one particular church or belief system. However, each season brings forth people who will be offended that I did not use "Christmas." My immediate response is to inform them that I am either Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or Atheist. I then say (polietly) that I would never expect them to wish me a "Happy Hanukkah" unless they believed in it so please do not ask me to do the same. (I have close friends or family within each area.)

The purpose and the point is not to be confrontational, but to remind people that they are not alone in this world even if they are the majority. More importantly, I hope to remind our shoppers that employees are people with their own beliefs and ideas. To force a phrase on us that we do not believe in would transform our work into a personal prison where we cannot be ourselves.

However, like anyone else, we want be ourselves and enjoy what we do. As such, the phrase used is and should be left to that individual. Just as you choose to say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays", so do we. Regardless of the words used, the greeting is one of compassion, happiness and goodwill.

It is my belief that those who are offended by what word is used to wish them happiness and goodwill, regardless of their beliefs have entirely missed the point. In a world so full of sadness, why must you choose to refuse something given in peace? Why must this become a source of division among people?

In closing, if you have a problem with the words use by other people in an effort to spread goodwill, I encourage you to step back and ask yourself why you promote anger and hatred within yourself. I also encourage you to understand that you are not alone in this world and you cannot dictate the beliefs of those around you. Finally, I ask that everyone try to understand that the workers you encouter are trying to do their job and, just like everyone else, they want to be happy at work. Forcing them to use a phrase that go against their personal belief can make this very difficult. It is not that we don't respect your beliefs, we do, but we expect that you can respect ours as well.

Just because the majority of shoppers are Christian, other religions do not need to be excluded.  Try using all of the holiday messages, just in case, the shopper is one of them.  For example, I'd be happy to hear "Happy Yule."  I'm pagan and am offended by traditional Christmas ceremonies, greetings and music.  If greeted with "Merry Christmas," I'd let them know they were insulting me and may very well not come back to that store.  I am tired of pagan needs and issues being ignored, just because it is not mainstream.  We shouldn't have to tiptoe around and try to avoid being discovered.  Rather, we pagans should be proud of our beliefs.  By the way, I have never seen holiday greetings for other religions in stores.  It is a Christian monopoly.

question:  why would you wish anyone "Merry Christmas" on any day but December 25th? I mean it's 3 weeks till Christmas Day, but if you don't mention the holiday to perfect strangers , what? O'Reilly tells us we must acknowledge the National Holiday. How many weeks in a holiDAY?  The Congress says December 25 is the Holiday. Okay?

Merry Christmas Everyone!

My management was one of those companies who said "You have to say Happy Holidays!" I believe if you come to our countries, (I'm from Canada) then you have to respect OUR holidays and traditions. It's not going to hurt you to smile and say "To you too.", even if you don't celebrate. No one needs to know other people's business, religion, or culture. It's a generic hello and goodbye here in North America at this time of year. Accept it!

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.  
If it were not for His birthday, we would not be celebrating Christmas.  So the appropriate comment is Merry Christmas.
Whether or not you believe in God and His son Jesus is not the point.  If you choose not to celebrate His birthday, that is up to you.  It does not negate the fact that is what is being celebrated.
So I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  And when your birthday rolls around again, have a Happy Birthday (not Happy Holiday).

"Holidays" are vacation.  The job provides this time whenever employees decide to take it or split it up.  "Thanksgiving" is Thanksgiving, and "Christmas" should remain Christmas whether it is preclude with "Merry" or "Happy".  Not everyone can afford to take "vacation" during the Christmas season, and it is a Merry and Happy time of the year!  Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Well said, leave the Christians alone and start your own holiday and call it happy holidays if you want or happy Tet or whatever, us Christians don't care and will not try to make you call it something other then what it is. 

I think happy holidays is something retailers should use. People often argue that chritmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ. That is a very valid agrument but they have to also keep in mind that in the US as well as in many other countries that do celebrate the occasion there are also people from other religions, both christian and non-christian. Some of these religions also happen to have some sort of special festivity that happes to coincide with the season and is also set close to December 24/25. People of Jewish faith do not celebrate christmas but they celebrate Hanukkah (sorry if the spelling is off). Stores cater to people of all religions and they need to remain neutral.

I just think that people should keep in mind that it is a season fo joy, no matter what the religion and that discussions like this really are of little use. If anything they just dampen the spirit of the season, whatever religion peole come from. In the end, no one is really going to care whether or not the present they got from thier loved one came from a store that said "Merry Christmas" or something lese, or maybe even nothing at all. What they will care about however is wheter or not the present came from the giver's heart or not.

Just my two cents,

littleamber

It has been Christmas from the VERY start.  These rediculous people are on this "lets be sensitive" thing.  Well, if you want things to be different from HISTORY, then take your happy tail, go to some uninhabited piece of land and start your own country.  I'm sick of it.  If you want to celabrate it as something different then by all means DO so, but don't expect the entire country, or world for that matter, to change history because your "feelings" get hurt because of a WORD.  How about YOU be NOT  so sensitive and let the words pass over you, and just be on your merry way.  Please.  Why does this even have to be an issue.  The people who get offended, instead of enjoying the season regarless of the nature of it, are the one's growing up who were always boo hooing because things weren't going their way.  Grow up already, get couseling, and stop being so sensitive. 

If retailers want to satisfy their customers and increase their sales, then they should use "Happy Holidays", as simple as that. It's true that America is predominantly Christians, but that was then. Now is what matters. America has grown into a melting pot and people just need to accept that whether we like it or not. Using or saying "Happy Holiday" is not about being politically correct, but its about respecting one's belief and heritage. This is America, people!!! Whatever happens to free speech, religion and all? I'm a Christian and I deal with customers everyday and I'm sure most of us do, so grow up and accept the fact that Christians are not the only ones existing in America. "Happy Holidays" to all!!!

In my humble opinion, what does it matter who says what during this time of year. We, as Americans, have become soft and take everything that is said to heart. MY GOD people, WAKE UP!!. This Country was founded on controversy and if people are so thin skinned as to be offended by someone expressing THEIR IDEALS, Then I suppose soon the justice will soon be overcrowded with inane slander and libel suits that are frivolous. OF course the Attorneys of the world will be happy as they will be only ones to make any money.

As a person who has worked retail for over 25 years; I can say that things have changed. During my first christmas season; as a 17 year old- we were directed to wish every customer a "Merry Christmas".  Now we are left to our own judgement. To somehow gauge each customer and respond as we see fit. It is a difficult tightrope to walk. I have found that if you say "Merry Christmas" most will respond in kind. Those who are offended will offer a Happy Holiday. There are those who will take the time to "forcefully" and often "colorfully" let you know that the sentiment is not returned. But thats usually after you tell them that all the WII's are sold out!

Shoppers should be able to hear a hearty "Merry Christmas!"  The neutral greeting of Happy Holidays is ok, but that's just it; neutral.

Get over it.  How can anyone anywhere be offended by some one wishing them a happy dayW we are too full of ourselves.  Get over it.

It comes down to one single thing.  AMERICA was founded on Christianity.  So, no one should be able to take that away. 

Say you were traveling to a new country, would you be able to have things YOUR WAY or would you have to respect their way of life and beliefs?  YOU WOULD HAVE TO RESPECT THEIR BELIEFS AND GET OVER IT.

We as a nation are giving in to much.  This is America, this is how it is.  So, if you don't like how we live GET OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh yeah, it is MERRY CHRISTMAS.  See the word CHRIST in there.  There is a reason for it.  That is what this nation was founded upon CHRIST. 

Hey, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

We as a society have veered off the beaten path when it comes to tradition.  What in the world are people and businesses thinking when it comes to changing the traditional saying, "Merry Christmas"?  We've been saying it for well over a century with no adverse affects, now they want to change it.  I say, "HELL NO", and let's stick with tradition.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

  It is not so much what I think but what I believe was the origin of the holiday and why it is celebrated in America.  Just as our country was based on a culmination of tradition and things held dear, it also included traditions and beliefs based on Christianity.  As we all know a person that stands for nothing will fall for anything.

  All persons to eventually migrate here found peace and happiness in the holiday but found a way to interpret it to their liking.  Eventually the origin for celebrating the holiday became a watered down personal and largely comercial view than the religious beliefs that surround the holiday when it appeared here.

  If you wish to interpret the holiday as anything other than based on Christianity, do so in your own home or among friends. If you disagree with the idea what exactly brought you or your family here to begin with? Just take what you want and foget the rest? No!  Celebrate your own way with those close to you but acknowledge the origin and appreciate it for waht it was and should still be.  A celebration of Christ!

  Therefore, if we have had  "tolerance" crammed down our throat the last couple decades we should teach those that disagree with Christanity to tolerate the meaning of the holiday and include Merry CHRISTmas!  So merry christmas to all and to all a good night! amen!

This debate irritates me and I have no idea why its perpetuated.  

Not everyone shopping in December is celebrating Christmas, so get over it and say nothing.  The standard have a nice day is fine--if you have to, go with holiday---It is about the sentiment not the words---typically the store peoples sentiment is sooooo empty I would prefer them say nothing and just work on some customer service skills. 

 Dont be so ignorant in thinking that everyone celebrates Christmas and dont be so politically correct that you think you have to know every holiday being celebrated.  To be honest --- I dont want to hear anything, just keep the lines down, keep it moving and have a nice disposition.  Just remember the 3rd day of Hanukkah is on December 25th ....there are 8 days and what a surprise gifts are given out during that long holiday----people celebrating that HOLIDAY will be shopping too.  

I feel that the whole country has forgotten what we were founded on.  And forgot what the whole reason for the season is to begin with.  Jesus was born to die for our sins.  It doesn't say holiday on the 25th of December, it says Christmas.  I'm sorry if that offends you, but I'll never be sorry for saying Merry Christmas to someone.  If it offends you maybe you should pray about it...I know a God that loves you no matter what you have ever thought or done in the past. 

Personally, I understand that everyone my not be christian and that is fine, to each his own.  I do feel that the reason (meaning) of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus (Even though we know Dec.25 isn't his actual birthday).  Therefore, it should be "Merry Christmas".  If you are not Christian or do not believe in Jesus, then I ask you why are you celebrating Christmas?  Or are you just celebrating the gifts, commercialism,  and materialist views that have become associated with Christmas? 

I still am shocked at the events that happend on Black Friday in that Wal-Mart where the man was trampled to dealth.  The fact that none of those people had the decency or were considerate enough to stop and help him us says to me that saving $5 on a Hannah Montana doll was more important to them than a human life, and anytime that some molded plastic toy is more important than a life we need to step back and ask ourselves "what have we become?" Then to complain when they were asked to leave so that they could attend to the man, that is so sad.  I feel all those people should be held accountable for the dealth of that man.

So Christmas or Holiday?  if you are simply celebrating buying presents and stuffing your self with food and treats then go with Happy Holiday's, but if you are truley celebrating the birth of Jesus, undoubtly you say "Merry Christmas".

I think that people should say Merry Christmas!!  We live in a society that doesn't want to offend anyone, but people forget that without JESUS there would be no christmas!!!! 

Who cares?  There are plenty of other things that are more important to worry about than this and it's a ridiculous argument anyway.  Some people don't even care to celebrate any of the "holidays", which is also absolutely fine, and would rather to hear "Have a nice day" than anything else. 

I think what is the big deal about saying "Happy Holidays".  This way everyone is covered.  There are several Holidays in December so this way no-one is offended and left out.

I agree with .  The comment about Christmas being part of our hertiage and being able to celebrate it was spot on (paraphrasing).  Other posters said it well that being politically correct is considerate but where is the consideration of a fine tradiiton that has worked for our country for over 200 years?   Ultimately it is a matter of choice on how you greet someone or advertise a holiday, but in a country that is founded on Christian beliefs and prints In God We Trust on it's money, if a company chooses to use Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays, then people sould respect that choice to follow a tradition and find some other petty issue to get offended by.

We can find a way to make an issue out of anything. Personally, I don't care if they say Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah; Accept it! A simple "Thank you" will do. No need for correction, no need to take offence. People are being kind! Just accept it.

what ever happen to freedom of speech.this is my life , i will say what ever comes out.its x-mas , some people (you know who i mean) just got to stick there nose into everything. children ask , what is a holiday, get to the point and say merry christmas.

It should Merry Christmas hands down. Our founding forfathers were christian and to this day, the majority of our nation is christian. Drive through any city, and the majority of churches you see are christian. Therefore, majority overrules. If the person who finds "Merry Christmas" offensive an immigrant, simply tell them to go back to where they came from, because freedom of speech only applies to american citizens.

You're an idi0t. A pompous reason-based pr!ck

Just pull your head out of your a55

, judging by your above comments, you are either not a Christian, do not know how to act like one, or do not follow your religions own teaching and are therefore a hypocrite.   Are you sure your Jesus would approve?

i grew up in this country as an american. i servered this country during the vietnam conflict. i always said "merry chriistmas". all the people said merry christmas in the past present and i hope in the future as well. this is my country, if you dont like how i live here, and i am not willing to change, get the hell out and go some place else.

Why is it only Christians that feel they have to be apologetic for their religion.  I don't get the same vibe off Jews, Moslims, Hindus, etc.

I have been on this planet 70 years and have always said  "MERRY CHRISTMAS"  that is what it is. Why should I change or anyone else change this like taking out God in schools or what ever, I feel if one doesn't like it and it was here first so be it. Don't try and change what most of us grew up with.  Sorry, but it is and always will be     MERRY CHRISTMAS forever.

Do these PC people realize why we even have "Christ"mas - da - it is to celebrate "Christ's"birthday hence Christmas and so if you do not want to say Merry "Christ"mas maybe you should not be taking time off work and celebrating this holiday.  This is very simple!  I am fed up with people like some of those commenting today saying that they celebrate Christmas but do not want to recognize it for what it is.  You know what - DON'T celebrate the season at all then - that's my advice.  Furthermore - if you are insulted because someone thinks you are of a different ethnicity or religion for example - that tells me you are the one being rude (as one person who wrote in stated) - just think about it - that means you think the other ethnicity or religion is inferior in some way - why else would you be insulted.  If someone mistakes you for the most beautiful woman in the world or the greatest athlete or the best built man in the world - or whatever - something considered favorable - would you be offended!  I don't think so...  What if someone mistakes you for someone else that they were meeting face to face for the first time would you be insulted?  No! (or you shouldn't be) Anyway, PEOPLE WAKE UP AND GET REAL! 

P.S. "MERRY CHRISTMAS" TO ALL

Born and raised in Canada I apreciate what my country has done for me and also for immigrants from around the world. When Canada gives an immigrant a canadian citizen ship it's because they want to be part of our beautiful country and freedom and not to come change this country.  Merry Christmas should stand and and not be changed to happy hollidays. If u live in canada please embrasse our country and stop trying to change it.  This is Canada and will always Be.  Canada stands For PEACE AND PRIDE IF U CAN'T HANDLE IT LEAVE.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! I don't see anyone censoring the name of other religious Holidays. What is so interesting and sad is why are people so threatened by Merry Christmas, Jesus Christ and Christians. We aren't a bad bunch. With so much out there challenging us today, our economy, etc. you would think we would want to pull together instead of this constant pettiness. I will be saying Merry Christmas.

I celebrate Christmas.  I buy Christmas presents and a Christmas tree.  I prefer Merry Christmas, but don't really get offended if people offer Happy Holidays - if they aren't worried about political correctness.

My issue comes from things like going to buy my tree and the seller offering Happy Holidays - you're selling me a CHRISTMAS TREE!!  If you're selling a Christmas tree, just go ahead and offer the Merry Christmas - it's ok.

Happy Holidays????????  If thats the case then lets put an end to Kwanza and Hannakuh too.  Just because you are not a Christian do not infringe on a our religious holidays.  I don't infringe on yours.  I respect your beliefs please respect mine.  Christmas is named for Christ our Savior, to celebrate his birth.  Its MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!  and I celebrate with a CHRISTMAS TREE, and I send CHRISTMAS CARDS, and I attend CHRISTMAS MASS.  If you have a problem with that then oh well!!  There are 11 other months you can celebrate your religious holidays.  Leave ours alone.

I have already posted one comment to someone else's reply but I would like to make one other here.  When I wish someone a Happy Birthday, it is not because it is my birthday it is because it is their Birthday.  I believe this applies to the Holidays too.  I am sending someone best wishes for their Holiday season not mine.  So if I know someone celebrates a particular holiday during this season those are the wishes I send them regardless of the Holiday I celebrate during this season.  If I do not know, then I wish them Merry Christmas because that is the Holiday I celebrate at this time of year.  Either way, my point is to give someone my best wishes for a Happy season. Let the person behind the counter wish you a happy season regardless of how they choose to phrase it, the sentiment is still the same.

First I must address a comment I keep seeing, not only regarding this question but one I kept hearing over and over in the recent election, that this country was founded on christian faith and values, this is completely false.  If you actually study your history you will see that this country was found on freedom of religion (amongst other freedoms) all religions, not just the christian religion.  They left Europe to escape religious persecution.  Unfortunately when they got here they sugjected the natives of this land to the same persecutions they were trying to escape, rather hipocrital wouldn't you say?  Further, since this country is made up of many different people, cultures etc, afterall isn't this country suppose to be a great melting pot of all peoples seeking freedom?  So recognize all or none.  And, to all you "christians" (my father was a fundamentalists baptist precher so I know of what I speak) I say to you who have been saying for generations to others, if you don't like it go back to where YOUR ancestors came from.  I wonder what kind of reception you would receive.  To all Happy Yule, Blessed Be

Wow! What emotion over a couple of words. Back off and go with the flow! When someone says "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas" they are only trying to be polite. No deep, hidden agenda. It's kind of like "How are you today?" They don't really care how you are. Just being polite. I would prefer if the beast we call Christmas would be renamed The Holiday. I would like to reclaim Christ's birthday and return it to a meaningful celebration of God's plan to reach down and save us from our sin. And that includes selfishness and pride. We are all selfish and prideful, every last one of us. So stop assuming people have an agenda and just smile and try to love the person in the same manner that God loves us. Unconditionally and BEFORE we loved Him. Have a great day! 

It is Merry Christmas - nothing else.  Political correctness is offensive to me, and it's really tiring that we need to watch every word we say right down to greeting someone.   I'm saying Merry Christmas ... not Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings or Merry "X"mas (because it's NOT Merry Allahmas or Merry Brahmamas or Merry "fill-in-your-god's name here" mas!).  Christ is the reason for the season and has been since about the 4th century.  While Jesus was probably not actually born on December 25th, Christmas was the Christian answer to the pagan Saturnalia rituals.  It is a time when Christians celebrate and acknowledge the birth of their Savior, despite all of the commercialism where it's no longer appropriate to say Merry Christmas.

So Merry Christmas everyone ... and Happy New Year too!

Oh, and as an afterthought to my previous posting, all "christian" holidays were fashioned out of the old pagan rituals to encourage people to turn to christianity without all the bloodshed that was typical at the time by perverting their beliefs, as a matter of fact there was no such thing as christians or christianity until the birth of Jesus, there also was no such thing as satan or the devil.  The virgin mary was the pagan goddess, satan or the devil is a pervison of the horned god of the hunt, for all you christian hunters out there.  Just as many wise people have said history is written by the conquers not the conquered so how do you know what anyone has declared as truth since christianity was invented is truth or just of bunch of greeding men long ago who saw the opportunity to exploit this for their own ends and to control people.  Don't believe me look at all these "churchs" with some many riches, their pastors living high on the hog while many of their congregations are struggling to just make ends meet.  I always say the only honest preacher I ever meet was my father.  When his church tried to give him a raise for $100 a week, he refused it, he said was he was making was enough to take care of his family.  There's a thought for all you money hungry false prophets out there.  That's enough for now, again Happy Yule, Blessed Be

North America (including Canada) has been and continues to be a Christian country: our calendar (we follow a seven day work week) and our school systems are all Christian based. I do realize that the school systems are changing or are trying to be changed to no longer reflect this system but no one seems to be opposing caledrical systems. We can't pick and choose what we like and what we don't like because our history is older than we are and it is so ingrained in who we are that we often don't even realize how Christian it is. If we were to go to other countries, we would have to change to fit in there so why do we here try to change to make them fit in here? I'm not suggesting that they fit in or go home, but their arrogancy over making our countries more suitable to them is ridiculous.

And it's not an assumption of other people sharing your beliefs so much as celebrating in a warm tradition at this time of year. So you don't believe in Christ? Don't say Merry Christmas! But don't expect everyone else to not say it to you. I am Christian and if someone wished me a Happy Hanukkha during this time of year, I wouldn't mind because I wouldn't have the audacity to feel that that person is imposing his or her Jewish faith on me. I would wish him or her Merry Christmas in return and we both get to celebrate our beliefs and our traditions.

Basically, if something of tradition offends you, don't look at it. Just because you can't accept that the majority of Americans celebrate this holiday doesn't mean that the majority of Americans don't. We do. To see "Happy Holidays" spewed across storefront windows isn't something that I agree with because it isn't traditional: it is a new-world culture clash phenomenon that is slowly destroying everything that our countries are built upon. If we take Christmas out of Christmas, where do we stop removing what our societies are based on? We need to preserve our cultures and stop assimilating them with new-Americans'. We have been here, we are here, and we will continue to be here... unless we slowly sell ourselves out on the national streetcorners.

And by the way, to write "Merry Xmas" isn't a victory for the anti-Christmas brigade. It is actually solidifying Christ in Christmas because "X" stands in for "Xavier" and "Xavier" means "Saviour". You're not crossing out Christ but reaffirming the faith.

I think that the whole thing is ridiculous.  People have turned a wonderful time of year, where people are expressing goodwill towards others, into a political quagmire for retailers and everyone else.  I'm Christian.  I do not believe retailers should ignore that it is Christmas bringing most shoppers into their stores at this time of year.  Yes, there is Hanakuh, too, and I've never been offended by seeing dreidels or menorahs advertised as what they are, nor would I be offended if someone said "Happy Hanakuh".  I understand they are expressing a happy, joyful, greeting to me.  The same goes for "Merry Christmas", people should NEVER be offended because it's not said to convert you, or insult you, it's said because people are joyfully expressing themselves during what they find to be a time of celebration.  As for "Happy Holidays", that is perfectly fine to say, as it, too, is expressing goodwill.  Why would anyone be offended by that?  So Christians need to get over that.  That being said....

The only frustration I find is when people complain that things should not be called "Christmas lights", or "Christmas trees", etc., because these are CHRISTMAS traditions.  The fact that other non-christian people have adopted their use does not make them any less Christmas.  And to be honest - people who are non-Christians but celebrate Christmas and then complain about "Christmas" everywhere need to get a clue.  Christmas IS Christian, it is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ our lord, and if you don't believe, don't celebrate, but let everyone else be.   You can't adopt all the Christmas trappings and then complain about the people who are celebrating the REAL reason for Christmas, that's hypocritical.  Believe it or not, Christians have rights, too.  Or are we the only ones that aren't supposed to have religious freedom of expression?  So non-Christians need to get over it, too, and let us have our Christmas.  Don't be a scrooge.

First, I would like to say I am a christian.  Please correct me if I'm wrong, but this is a christian holiday. This is marking the birth of Christ. Therefore, the correct thing to say is Merry Christmas. I'm not trying to be some extremist christian but if that saying offends you in any way then I feel you have no right to be celebrating the holiday. Also while I'm at it, how has this even became a discussion in the first place? Once again the root of the problem as with most things in today's America is corporate greed. It really makes me sad to think how things have changed since I was a child, which wasn't that long ago. So, in closing Merry christmas! And on earth, peace, goodwill towards men.   

Christmas is supposed to be a celebration of Christ's Birthday.  It is supposed to be religious in nature, and "Happy Holliday" is a slap in the face for those who still believe!

The fact that this matter has come up is testiment to the fact that we no longer see this as a religious holiday, but as another excuse for gluttony and greed.  The religious quality of the holliday has been so burried in the Mass Marketing Machine that perhaps it no longer matters.  What a SHAME.  And the stress that we experience durring the holiday is definately anything BUT Joyous!

The other fact is that this "Holiday", as we celebrate it, has never been about Christ's Birthday.  It is a collection of Pagan beliefs that the Christian/Catholic Church took on to make it easier for the "Pagans" to accept that they must be converted.  The tradition of the Christmas tree came from a pagan holiday. The tradition of giving gifts came from a rich man, "Saint" Nicholas, who gave to the poor.  And, guess what.  Christ was NOT born on December 25!

I quit celebrating most Christian Religious Hollidays a long time ago.  They have lost their meaning for most that do celebrate them.  WHat I do is donate my time, either baking for a holiday dinner, or helping with cash, or even helping out with serving the dinner.  It means much more to me and is FAR LESS stressful!

However, it is still "Merry Christmas" for me.  I am unashemedly christian and I wish that others would respect my beliefs.  Still, if I had a friend that did not share my beliefs, I would say "Happy, or Merry,.......(what ever)" to them!

We, as Americans, have the right to express our personal beliefs.  If you were to go to ANY OTHER country and tell them that "I do not believe as you do, so do not express your beliefs because it is insulting to ME" I Think that you would be laughed into embarasment or perhaps Deported or even jailed!

MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!

This whole political correctness thing drives me nuts.  I'm just fine with hearing Merry Christmas, because as far as I know December 25th is Christmas, or so it says on my calendar.  And no, I'm not a Christian.  I celebrate a different holiday.  Big deal.  Is the wisher of Christmas tidings purposely trying to offend me, step on my toes and cram their religion down my throat?  Of course not.  The wish of Merry Christmas to me is more in the spirit of enjoying the happiness and family togetherness of the holiday season - not a reason to get offended and take up arms over a cause.

It simply astounds me that humans could turn a time of peace and goodwill and giving to others (REGARDLESS of what your religious affiliation is) into a hissing and spitting match over whose religion was here first and when so and so was really born, and the list goes on ad nauseum.  Personally I'd rather enjoy myself and my loved ones instead of listening to the political correctness police and a pack of Scrooges that are laboring under the delusion that they have some kind of "right" not to be offended try to ruin the spirit of things.

Jesus Christ is the reason for the season. Gift giving was started by the 3 Wisemen to pay homage to the new born King "Jesus Christ" therefore we should not take Christ out of Christmas as in Xmas or omit using or saying Merry Christmas. If there wasn't Christianity there would not be a Christmas or (Holiday) shopping season. Although I respect Freedom of Religion, I don't want anyone not giving me the same courtesy. The other religions do not spend lots of money on gifts for gift giving. It is the Christians who do this. This is also the time of year that most retailers depend on to make it or break it for the year. So retailers keep this in mind.

So, as a Christian, should I be offended if someone wishes me a Happy Haunnaka even tho I celebrate Christmas?

I think the greetings offered should be taken as good wishes There aren't many who can just look at a body and "know" what they celebrate this time of year.  I find Happy Holidays to be generic and it leaves me with no warm fuzzies - which I like this time of year.

I have been offered an occasional Happy Haunnaka and not been offended because I don't feel the person offering the greeting is saying "Hey, have a happy Jewish holiday or go butt a stump".  I feel the greeting is offered in the spirit of the season and I will respond with Merry Christmas.  No need to hysteria or anger - just accept the good wishes and offer your own!

Christ was born and died for our sins.  Not just my sins or a Catholic's or a Baptist's.  He died for our sins whether you be Christian or not.  This country was founded on Christianity and we celebrate Christ's birth on the 25th of December.  I personally am not offended by the wording be it Christmas or Holiday.  Do you really think that Jesus/God is sitting up there in heaven keeping a list of those who say one or the other?  Jesus loved all people, but especially the sinners, I don't think he really minds whether or not we say Christmas or Holiday.  When children ask their parents what the big deal is...  perhaps  Christ's will is being done.

Karen

customers should boy cott any business that restricts their empoyees from wishing us a Merry Christmas during the Christmas season.  Wal-mart learned from this and others stores can too.  Please boy cott L.L Bean for their telling employees that they can't wish callers a Merry Christmas.

It's pretty ignorant to assume that only Christians celebrate Christmas.

Go watch "The Santa Clause". No Baby Jesus in there.  It's an AMERICAN CULTURAL holiday. Peace on Earth, Good Will yadda yadda. It's about sharing and giving and opening your hearts etc.  There is so much anti-Christianity going on these days that anything even remotely associated with it is aggressively attacked by those who think it's there lot in life to rid the world of Christians ......  Do your kids get chocolate for Easter or do you get all freaked out about THAT being an evil right wing conspriacy too?

Why is it that you PCers go out of your way to value everything and everyone right up to those who celebrate Christmas?  Let's here you crap on Muslims and their holiday - or maybe Jews and their holiday. Does "Happy Kwanza" offend you? I want to hear you get all in the face of someone who wishes you a Happy Kwanza. ....... yeah...I didn't think so......

Merry Christmas. Peace on Earth.

Simple. This is America "One Nation under GOD!!" We say MERY CHRISTMAS!!!

However, the smart thing to do, as a retailer who needs to appeal to everyone, is to have signs that say both. There can also be signs that have other specific greetings, such as Happy Hanukkah, etc.

I'm sick and tired of seeing "Happy Holidays" everywhere.  Although diverse, this is a primarily Christian country.  I have no problem with other religions and their traditions, but by the same token, I want this upcoming significant Christian holiday to be acknowledged and celebrated by the proper terminology and greetings.  This is THE CHRISTMAS SEASON and retailers make the majority of their money because of CHRISTMAS.  Why is it that Americans are CONSTANTLY catering to other ethnicities and religions by not "offending them".  Well, you know what..I'M OFFENDED, as a Christian, that I can not be wished a "Merry Christmas"!

I agree with happy hollidays. Its safe its better; if its a bigger deal and someone say 'merry christmas' you can correct them and be like 'actually I don't celebrate christmas but merry christmas to you.' As for the person who said that 'happy hollidays' was a bastardization of the holy day.  a) your a intolerant idiot. B) in that cause you should keep your mouth shut and not wish anyone anything until December 25th, because christmas is on the 25th- not the whole month of december.

Happy Holidays is the most heartfelt and kind way to appropriately address complete strangers.

Christmas is ONE day people. To be correct, only say it ON Christmas, ok? Merry Christmas.

Hannukah is eight...go ahead, say it for eight days, Happy Hannukah!

Kwanzaa...I admit I know nothing about, I believe I heard it is several days, but I could be wrong. Happy Kwanzaa!

And the actual beginning, the Yule. Celebrated on the longest night of the year, celebrated in honor of the sun's re-birth...Winter Solstice. The burning of the Yule log, and a time of peace and contemplation. Merry Solstice!

What does it matter? How can so many of you be so very angry with the world? People who are so offended by a heartfelt "Happy Holidays"? People who would walk out of a store where they did not bow down to their perception of the holiday?

Really? Is that really what Christ did?

Christ, who you are supposed to EMULATE since you are CHRISTians and all that, LOVED EVERYONE. HE was LOVING and kind to ALL.

Good job acting exactly the opposite.

For those of you claiming "this country was founded on christan principles" blah blah blah

THIS COUNTRY was STOLEN from the native americans. NATIVE americans. Read it. Understand it.

We killed them and stole from them until they are nothing but some people on PIECES, tiny little pieces of land, when they have the right to all of it. We only have it because we were bigger and stronger and more heartless.

This country, as it is, was founded in a sincere desire to get away from RELIGIOUS TYRANNY. Oh yes, I said it.

There is a reason seperation of church and state was put into the constitution.

Read that document again sometime. I think you all forget where we really came from.

Finally, for those who like to say Jesus is the reason for the season?

No.

Sorry.

The reason for the season is the Earth's tilt on it's axis. It causes this little thing called winter in this hemisphere.

Happy Holidays to all of you. I truly hope you have a lovely time, and a wonderful new year.

During a time when I did not celebrate Christmas, I worked during the Christmas season in retail.  When customers wished me a Merry Christmas, I responded "Thank you, you too."  They weren't offended, I certainly wasn't offended, and no one went away angry.  Makes me ask what's the big deal!?

The thing about this debate that gives me a pain is that a SMALL percentage of the population has decided they don't like to hear Merry Christmas or see the American flag waving or hear public prayer (you get the picture), and the REST of the population, thanks to the ACLU, has to give up their rights to say, see, or hear.  What happened to protecting all Americans' right?!?

I also happen to respect others who don't celebrate Christmas and don't force my beliefs on them.  My husband is Muslim, and I know a number of other Muslims.  They don't celebrate Christmas, but they respect the rights of others who do.  They are NOT offended if wished a Merry Christmas.  My husband, who has never really celebrated Christmas until now, is excited about the whole experience.  He wants to see it all.  And his Muslim friends are very supportive of that.

I say Live and Let Live and don't stomp all over someone else's beliefs and rights.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year! or Happy Holidays!

Why are Christians angered when "Merry Christmas" is taken out of stores? Shouldn't we really be angered when Christ is used as a marketing strategy? When Christ is used to entice millions of people further into debt? To distract us from the celebration of His birth by saying "Merry Christmas, buy more?" Christmas, to Christians, is not about presents. When we shun stores for their removal of "Merry Christmas" from their marketing strategy, we aren't seeing the beauty in the decommercialization of this holy day. Instead, we are pleading with stores to endorse sales with a Christ stamp. We are asking them to capitalize on Christ's birth! Think about it. Isn't this the very thing Christ would turn the tables on?

I haven't read all the comments here, but I agree with the general points of the few I have read; the PC crap IS ridiculous; this distinction is just another way in which we can promote polarization; and, sorry, but this particular "holiday" was Yule long before it was Christmas - just another tradition/symbol the Christians stole from the Pagans, but I won't get into that.  Bottom line, the "spirit" of the season is nondenominational - we ALL can feel more loving, forgiving, generous and expansive if we choose to, no matter what, if any, deity we believe in.  It would serve us all well to focus on that, rather than devicive semantics!

CHRIST is the reason for the "holiday."  Therefore, we should say Merry Christmas. 

I feel sorry for all of you who are so adamant about denying Christ.  I know there is a heaven and a hell.  Do you want to suffer and be in pain for eternity or be in paradise?  I strongly encourage you to actually sit down and read the Bible. 

There are some traditions that are worth keeping. "Merry Christmas" has been the traditional greeting for this holiday season for centuries in most parts of the world. This isn't about what is "Christian"; it is about what is accepted. If we change the standard greeting to "Happy Holiday's"; what makes this "Holiday" any different than Easter, Labor Day, Independence Day or even Ground Hogs Day? Each Holiday worldwide hold significant meaning to the citizen's of that region and "Christmas" is no different here.

Granted, "Christmas" represents the "Birth of Christ" that other religions and atheists find unacceptable.  However, this is where tolerance comes in. Using America as an example, are we going to do away with Jewish Holiday's such as "Rosh Hashanah" or "Yom Kippur"; or the African American Holiday's such as "Kwanzaa "or "Juneteenth". Plus, let's not forget the American Muslim Holiday of "Ashura", Japanese "New Year"; Chinese "Lunar New Year"; Baha'i "Naw Ruz"; Buddhist "Vesak"; Mexican "Cinco De Mayo"; Hindu & Sikh "Lohri"; and India Republic Day. These are just a few "Holidays" celebrated in America and the list goes on.  Are we, in the interest of equality and fairness, willing to do away with all ethnic group holidays, using only one banner "Happy Holidays"?  I don't think so.

The founding principle of this country was "Freedom of Religion". This country was created allowing individuals to express or not express their religious beliefs freely.  In the ever increasing age of apostacy sweeping this country, to discontinue one "religious" symbol is opening the door to discontinuing all religious expression and beliefs. This is not about separation of "Church and State"; what we are facing is a growing movement to discredit and destroy public expression and foundation of all religion, starting with the Christian.

Looking at this attitude from a cynical "retail" point of view; why should shoppers spend more in December when the "Christmas" holiday; becomes just another "Happy Holiday" generalized in the American economy. What Atheists and "Christmas Haters" tend to forget; "Christmas" may symbolize the "Birth of Christ" to many; however, "Christmas" also is a physical remembrance each of us has to make an others life a little better and be kinder to others. This personal obligation would, I fear in a short time, be lost in the "Retail Industry" generalized "Happy Holidays".

In conclusion, this is where "free agency" comes into play. We can continue a season of "Merry Christmas" that allows us to express a kinder, spiritual side of our nature; or give in to the growing apostacy trend, pleasing disgruntled atheists and greedy retailers, by generalizing the season to "Happy Holiday's". The choice is yours - I've already made my choice.........."MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!".......................

Christians need to stop being so insecure with their faith! Yes, Christmas is the dominate holiday in the winter season, but it is not even close to the only one!!  The holiday season starts with Thanksgiving and goes through New Years, so in my opinion the best greeting is Happy Holidays as it is inclusive to all.

However, I would never be offended if someone wished me a Merry Christmas, and I have a hard time understanding how anyone could. I would, however, be VERY offended if some 'Holier-Than-Thou' Christian took offense to a greeting of 'Happy Holidays' and have seen several store clerks berated by customers for saying that.  The holiday season should be a time of joy and not this petty battle over words.

It seems to me that only people who are very insecure with theirselves and their faith (or lack of a faith) would take issue with either greeting.

Seriously, don't people have bigger things to worry about? This reminds me of a couple who sued the state of California because their marriage license said "party A and party B" instead of Bride and Groom. High class worries, I guess. Seriously, get over it.

Really????  Of all the things in the world, "Merry Christmas" is that offensive to you.  Get a life, you really are not that special.  I suppose you will get offended if you are having a bad day and I say "Good day to you."  Is your life that pittiful that you have to bring down someone elses generous cheer. 

If someone says "Merry Christmas" and you are not a Christian, or another believer in the Christmas spirit, than say "Good day" and leave it at that. 

Get over yourself, and by the way.....

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Quite frankly, it does not matter how people greet you in the season. Isn't the true spirit of the holidays one of peace and love? Maybe if it offends you that some one says "Happy Holidays," or "Merry Christmas," you need to serious take a survey of yourself. How many people would be offended if when they said, "Merry Christmas," they were in turn greeted with a "Happy Kwanza!" Would they freak out? It is meant in the same spirit.

No one should be forced to greet anyone in any way, so take a greeting for what it is: A Greeting of Peace and Love and Joy. Everything else is just worthless and our lives are too short for this nonsense.

Christmas is a Christian holiday so Merry Christmas or Happy Christmas as some people say is the appropriate greeting. I always say Happy Hanukah to my Jewish friends and they say Merry Christmas to me. I'm sick of the PC crap.

I would choose a common sense approach.  Not everyone is celebrating during the Christmas (I'm a christian) season -- even some christians (Jehovah's Witnesses, etc) don't celebrate Christmas.   So a neutral "Holiday" theme should be adapted for the storefront with celebration specific signage located at celebration specific product locations.  Then if cashiers see someone buying Christmas items, it's safe to wish them a Merry Christmas IF the cashier is comfortable with doing so.  If the customer is buying a season neutral item -- they'll probably be happy with the usual "Thank You."   If the customer appears to be celebrating something that the cashier isn't sure about, "Happy Holidays" should be fine.  If the customer's purchase demonstrates that they are celebrating some other holiday, jewish, etc and the cashier is familiar with that, by all means wish the person a happy whatever. 

People really need to get over themselves and understand that it's not all about them -- what they believe or don't believe.  Common courtesy and common sense should rule the day.  It's really that simple.

I think its stupid that we are talking about this. It's AMERICA! We shouldnt have to be told that we are to only use Happy Holidays. My problem is with these athiests who have nothing better to do than to act like a bunch of children to try to get their way. Its fine if they don't believe in any God but they don't need to make things worse for everyone else! Christians don't try to take your rights away, so why try taking our rights to saying Merry Christmas away. Its really dumb in my opinion. Just like Under God! Dont worry about it! One day you athiest will be judged on the day of Judgement! MERRY CHRISTMAS and MAY GOD BLESS EVERYONE!!

As someone who isn't christian, I think it's ridiculous that anyone would be offended by "Merry Christmas".  To me, it is a holiday, not a religious celebration.  Embrace it as a holiday and you won't be offended.  The word only has special meaning to a christian.

I'm 72 yo and I'm sick and tired of being so d----- politically correct.  I think it is time that the majority ruled.  We are far and away a Christian nation.  When in Rome...

Christmas is Christmas.  If you don't like it, then celebrate something else.   Christmas is a Christian holiday.  Deal with it. 

Merry Christmas is and has been the traditional greeting .There is no need for further discussion. The End. Merry Christmas.

I completely understand a worldly view of not wanting to offend anyone who may not celebrate Christmas or what have you. In my own personal opinion, I believe that this nation was built in God's name... It's on the Dollar you spend at that very retail shop. Christmas is the celebration of God's birth. Why on earth would we take Christ out of Christmas. People who come to America, People who were born right here in America know that. I would lose my job before I took Christ out of Christmas and bow down to an individual telling me to do so. It is not my wish to offend anyone. It offends me to not be able to speak my belief either. As said perfectly above it's very simple. Merry Christmas! and A Happy Holiday! No offense to anyone. Have a wonderful season and may all of you be filled with the peace, joy and love sent from above! Merry Christmas all.

This entire debate is doing nothing but creating contention between those in favor of "merry Christmas" or "happy holidays."  Whether you are celebrating Christmas or a holiday, isn't the creation of such feelings in violation of the point of either?  Grow up and realize that most people whether they say "merry Christmas" or "happy holidays" are not trying to make an opinion changing statement but simply wishing you well.  Take it for what it really is.

why do we always have to change stuff leave it the way its always has been, "merry christmas". i say it even at work i dont care who i offend cuz thats my way of saying it if you dont like it then suck it up. life isnt always perfect, deal with it, cuz im not making any arrangements to accomodate someone else.

It is a greeting!!!!! It is absolutely rediculous that people these days need something to sue people over. How does this offend anyone. Pretty soon we won't be able to say hello to eachother, and we will wonder what happened to make people so bitter. Come on people!!! If you are too stupid to accept a cheerful greeting, then you need to talk to a professional about your social anxiety.

I am a non-Christian and I don't cringe when someone says, "Merry Christmas."  We all know that the whole Holiday Season started because of Christmas.  We get a day off on Christmas and not on Chanukkah or Kwanza or Eid or Diwali. 

Although, I believe the Government Agencies should refrain from focusing on Christmas, private sectors should embrass Christmas.  I'm not a Christian yet I buy Christmas gifts for my family members and exchange them on Christmas eve.

I think the US is becoming too Politically correct.  God is God be He/She Yaweh, Allah, Bhagwaan or whatever you want.  I don't think anyone should be offended by "Merry Christmas."  What people should be offended by are bigger things like letting our young soldiers die in Iraq for a useless cost.  Or the killings in Sudan.  Or innocent people dying because of terrorist attacks.  Who in the world gets offended by a warm greeting of "Merry Christmas?"  I know, people who have nothing better to do.

Merry Christmas to all and God Bless!

This discussion should not be taking place but ridiculously is. Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is good that you do celebrate the season if you are a non-believer but should not disrespect our celebration by changing our traditions. The majority of America is Christian. Let the retailers say "Christmas" in anything that is sold in preparing to celebrate the birth of Christ. May you, the non-believer and unknowledgable in the power of the Lord, find him before your life's journey is complete.

I worked 36 years with the (in those days)  largest retailer. We had signs everywhere, all sizes, that used both. We used the Merry Christmas theme, but we did use Happy Holidays too. The majority of this country wants to keep the real meaning of Christmas, but we can't offend the minority. It's ok if they offend us.

What is the season for which we say "Seasons Greetings?" Are we celebrating the season of gray days, shorter periods of sunshine, longer nights, freezing roads and higher than average utility bills? Why are we spending money at retailers? What's all the gift giving about anyway...is it everyone's birthday ALL at once. NOT! Its a celebration and not just any celebration. Its one that's celebrated all over the world for a man, born of a virgin, conceived from the Creator of ALL things tangible, man, animal, material, and existential! The season has traditionally been to celebrate the birth of this man, Jesus, considered the Savior of all those Christian. Oh...and another point, I don't of any non-Christians that refust to take the paid time off from their jobs for the Christmas Holiday so why is it so politically uncorrect to call the holiday what it actually is...Merry CHRISTMAS!

A person can say whatever they want to say.  Some people might just say the first thing that comes out of their mouth, like me.  It's a time to be happy.  A time for family.  for a lot, a time for faith.  But how can their be joy or faith when everyone has to worry what they have to say?  What needs to be said hasn't been changed because of the "towel heads" (which, by the way, is the dumbest thing ever.) or the "muslims"; it's been changed becase people won't stop whining about what can be said!  Be happy!  They're are people in worst places that don't worry what others will think of them, if they happen to say "happy holidays".  Walk it off.  The month is almost over.  If you can't handle it for a few weeks, then maybe you should go on a long, needed, vacation.

When referring to a religious holiday one would say Merry Christmas....When referring to a commercial holiday one would say Happy Holidays. Christmas really has nothing to do with commercialism....unless you are a pagan....

Well, this is "CHRISTMAS" time and I think that we should be celebrating "CHRISTMAS".  If people are offended at the things of Christmas and want to celebrate the "Holidays", I don't see anything at all wrong with designating a different day for celebrating the "Holidays", whatever that may be.  Then all the retailers won't have to choose what to say.  I haven't seen people getting offended at the words "Happy Halloween" or "Happy Thanksgiving" but when it comes to a day we celebrate the birth of Jesus some people just find it so offensive when this is the reason for Christmas in the first place.  Let's just add the "Holidays" to the calendar and leave Christmas alone. Yes, Darlene-760141, Merry CHRISTMAS!

I always say Merry Christmas ...but the "holiday season" actually starts on Thanksgiving and goes through New Years Day. So therefore it is Ok in my book to say Happy Holidays but don't leave Christmas out of advertising or change Christmas tree or other Christmas stuff to Holiday tree. I mean we don't make people who celebrate Hanukkah or Kwanzaa change what they say or buy to "Holiday". I also don't start saying Merry Christmas until a few days before. (Unless I know I'm  not going to see that person again before Christmas). We don't start saying Happy Valentine's Day or any other holiday a month before that day so why not say Happy Holidays during the month of December. 

"The season has traditionally been to celebrate the birth of this man, Jesus, considered the Savior of all those Christian."

*Sigh*

Jesus was not born on December 25.  I know this seems irrelevant, because that's the day you celebrate his birth anyway, but it's not.  When the fledgling Christian religion was attempting to gather followers in Rome, they conveniently moved their holidays to already standing Pagan holidays.  You celebrate Easter directly on the Spring Solstice, and while we've finally set a date for Christmas, for a long time it fell on the same day as the pagan Yule season which begins during the Winter Solstice.  Somehow, after the religion became popular, other religious holidays migrated towards the same date.  If there's a party going on, nobody wants to be excluded.  That's why so many holidays fall at the same time.  You don't get to claim that date as "your day."  It didn't start off as your day, it belongs to everyone, no matter what they celebrate.

Comments like this are what cause this rediculous debate to begin with.  At first, as an athiest, I assumed that somebody's wishes of "Merry Christmas" were simply wishes of goodwill during a festive season.  Now, with this whole Christmas vs. Holiday war, it's hard to tell if somebody's wishing me well or condemning me to hellfire, which strikes me as completely against everything this season is supposed to stand for.  I'm not going to judge stores one way or the other, based on what holiday term they use.  I, of course, would appreciate more religious diversity, but... seriously, Holiday Trees?  Can't we strike a middle ground?  And, since this is America, it is naturally the choice of the business' owner, not the choice of some lobbying group or the government or the "will of the majority."

My point is simply this.  Share your season.  Share the joy and happiness and good will that's supposed to come with it.  Don't use it as an excuse to beat somebody else over the head with your views.  And when somebody wishes you a "merry christmas" or a "happy holiday" consider smiling and thanking them for their polite well-wishing.

Christmas has been celebrated for hundreds of years. America adopted the season of Christmas from its early settler days. Why it should come in to question just amazes me. Political correctness is all about silencing the American majority in favor of any daft upstart group or haters of Christians. Christianity and belief of God has been the strength of America. Now it is popular to laugh at the very faith that gave America morals and ethics. Look around and see where greed, immorality and lack of ethics is leading our country.  Americans need to speak up for the truth of our heritage.

I have worked in the Shopping Center industry for the last eight years. I worked for the second largest Real Estate Investment Trust in the U.S. Suffice it to say, that I have encountered arguments on both sides of the fence.

The Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas "debate" is really the least of the concerns I have come across. You have to figure in Hannukah (or Channuka) and Kwanza. I am sure there are others as well.  This company was built by, and owned by a Jewish Family in a country (USA) that is predominantly Christian of one form or another.  The easiest, most innofensive way to greet consumer when entering one of the over 200 regional and super-regional shopping centers is to say either "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings."  This way, you do not run the risk of offending anyone and do not assume they share the same beliefs as yourself.

Christmas is a holiday celebrating the birth of Christ.  If non-Christians don't like it being called Christmas let them go have their own holiday and call it whatever they want, just leave our holiday alone as we honor our Lord and savior.  I don't believe we ever asked you to participate in the first place!!!  So if you choose to take part call it what it is and celebrate what it is all about.  I for one am sick and tired of Godless people trying to hijack our celebration.

How are holidays determined? Does the Federal Government, the Congress, vote to pass a statute proclaiming a certain date as a holiday? Does the statute give the holiday a name? What does the statute call the holiday for December 25th? I grew up knowing it as Christmas. I think it's an official holiday thus I think it would have to be authorized by statute. Can anyone provide this info? I think it might put to rest the question of Christmas vs Holiday.

merry chritmas to all of you and happy new year.