"Merry Christmas" vs. "Happy Holidays": How to wish people cheer

Posted: Dec 16, 2011 6:40 PM by Nancy Chen
Updated: Dec 16, 2011 8:52 PM

The Christmas Controversy: Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas?

It turns out even wishing someone happiness can leave folks tongue-tied.

The debate on whether to tell someone "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" comes around every year, but it seems like the tide has changed in recent years, with more stores reclaiming Christmas greetings and sales.

Others say, better safe than sorry; walk around any downtown streets, and the colors of the season are likely there: red and green, with a Santa hat or two sprinkled in.

But finding the word "Christmas" can be hard--even in Santa's House in downtown San Luis Obispo.

"Say 'cheeseburger!'" Santa said while posing with children.

In the past ten years, San Luis Obispo's downtown Christmas Parade has become its downtown Holiday Parade, and its Christmas tree in Mission Plaza has instead become its holiday tree.

Some say they'll stick to saying "Merry Christmas," whether or not it's politically correct.

"If they want me to accept who they are, then I do," said Dean Moore, the owner of Forden's. "But I am who I am."

And Bertha Garcia says she calls there's no question what she calls the green things she sells at AC Farming.

"Christmas trees because we don't sell them all year round," she said.

The trend toward happy holidays is aimed at respecting different cultures, but Arroyo Grande resident Allison Portney is Jewish and says even she wishes people a "Merry Christmas."

"I think people are taking it a bit too far," she said. "Because I don't have a Christmas tree or a holiday tree or a Hanukkah bush."

Still, Reverend Stephanie Raphael is president of the San Luis Obispo Ministerial Association, which includes leaders from multiple faiths.

She says she sticks with "Happy Holidays."

"I know that almost every culture has some kind of ceremony at this time of year," Reverend Raphael said. "It covers everything."

But it's all in good faith, whether or not you have it.

"Knowing that even on the darkest day and the darkest time of year that there is hope," she said. "And that's what we celebrate."

There is also, of course, Kwanzaa, Festivus from Seinfeld, and the Winter Solstice, among many, many others.

We put the question on Facebook a few days and got more than a hundred responses.

Some highlights:

Jim Fosnaught: "I think they should be called their rightful name--winter solstice trees."

Reilly Newman: "It's called Christmas. A holiday is what British people take when they want a vacation."

Kim Rohrs: "If you wish me a Blessed Yule, Happy Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, I will say it right back and mean it. I refuse to get upset over how you wish me a happy season. The fact that you took the time to wish me joy is all that matters to me."