Merry Christmas? Happy Holidays? Have a Nice Day?

Merry Christmas? Happy Holidays? What do you say? Say either one and you run the risk of being “offensive,” to someone. How to properly impart good wishes at holiday time is up for debate.

When I was PTA president at my kids’ elementary school, I prepared dinner many evenings with the phone crooked on my shoulder, listening to parents’ concerns, which, oftentimes put them at odds with each other because of conflicting cultures and beliefs.

Some parents didn’t like Halloween, because they thought it was a demonic display. In my experience, most kids think Halloween=Candy, not Halloween=Devil.

Some parents didn’t like Christmas-tree displays, because they thought the trees were religious symbols. So, we placed a menorah in the school lobby along with the tree.

Regarding the Christmas tree, it’s a pagan tradition. You won’t find any references to decorating a tree in the New Testament. A nativity beneath the tree? Religious. A menorah? It’s in the Old Testament and Torah. Religious.

Anyhow, when my terms as PTA president were over, I was glad to remove myself from the middle of holiday disputes. But through that experience, I learned to say, “Happy Holidays,” rather than “Merry Christmas,” to be more inclusive.

Lately, “Happy Holidays” has come under attack, by folks who think the sentiment takes the Christ out of Christmas. They vow to say, “Merry Christmas” wherever they go.

This controversy elevates my stress level at this time of year. Do I say, “Merry Christmas,” and offend someone who doesn’t celebrate the holiday? Do I say, “Happy Holidays,” and have a “Merry Christmas” advocate give me the stink eye?

Here’s what I do. I say nothing. If someone says something to me first, I warmly reciprocate.

But that’s sad.

I used to think that saying, “Happy Holidays” was okay, because everyone celebrates New Year’s, at least, don’t they? Well, if we want to get technical, no. The Chinese new year is in January or February. The Jewish new year is in September or October. The Islamic new year varies even further.

I guess what I’m saying is, whether we use, “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” or “Have a nice day,” the sentiment is the same. It’s one human being taking the time to say something kind to another.

It’s a gift.

And according to Emily Post, “Even if the present is the last thing you wanted, thank the giver for his thoughtfulness. . .”

Ann Silverthorn writes about a wide variety of topics in numerous genres. She’s currently working on a biography of William E. Dimorier (1871-1951), a nearly forgotten poet and educator, who dedicated his life to the betterment of young people.

Twitter: @annsilverthorn   Instagram: ann_silverthorn