While many of us are still unable to get over how fast this eventful year has gone, Christmas is now upon us. When we make merry with those we love and get into the festive spirit in a professional or wider social context, I believe it is important for us to understand and be conscious about the language we use. Indeed, the joy of the season lies in the celebration of diverse beliefs and traditions!
Merry Christmas
Christmas has a fundamentally religious connotation to it—it is the festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. However, to a lot of non-Christians who celebrate Christmas as a holiday for getting together and gift-giving, “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Christmas” may be nothing more than an appropriate seasonal expression. Also, those who do not feel affiliated with any religious tradition are nevertheless likely to be familiar with, and possibly even sing the carol “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”, or to say the phrase “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year” or write it in greetings cards.
Season’s Greetings
Speaking of greetings cards, you may have seen “Season’s Greetings” printed on them before, but what exactly is the “season”?
According to the OED, “holiday season” is chiefly used in the US and is defined as “the period of time from Thanksgiving until New Year, including such festivals as Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa”; whereas it is more likely to be spoken of as the “festive season” in the UK and other English-speaking countries—a phrase which loosely refers to the period from the days preceding Christmas until the start of the New Year.
Happy Holidays
Bearing the above in mind, how did the phrase “Happy Holidays” gain its prominence?
In view of the various ways that people observe the season in the US (late November till early January), “Happy Holidays” has become an increasingly popular salutation because it is considered more inclusive than “Merry Christmas”. However, this shift has also sparked controversies, despite Christmas having been influenced by a powerful corporate-driven material culture. The move is seen by many as “anti-Christian”, and a cultural and political battle—“War on Christmas”—at large.
Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
It’s simple!: Happy Holidays.
Think of it this way: When we don’t know enough about someone’s beliefs (if any), or indeed, what they celebrate, it might be preferable to use a broader, more inclusive term rather than taking a guess or making assumptions that may potentially make others feel uncomfortable. No one wants to offend anyone, not least at this time of year!
Having said that, if you know the person you are interacting with is a Christian, say “Merry Christmas”; likewise, say “Happy Hanukkah” to one you know is Jewish. The whole point here is to acknowledge that different people celebrate different holidays. As far as I am concerned, this kind of politeness and respect is essential when we are living in today’s pluralistic society. By educating ourselves and using a more inclusive language, we are doing our own bit to make sure everyone’s holiday is as happy as it can be. After all, ’tis the season to be jolly.
And all that remains is for me to wish you very, very Happy Holidays and many good wishes for the New Year!
Edison Tam MA MCIL CL is a Translator, Proofreader, and Copyeditor (zh-hk/en) who works with students, independent non-fiction writers, academic researchers, and clients from businesses and organisations of all sizes.
He is Chartered Linguist and Member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL), and has undergone wide-ranging academic training in Business, Modern Languages, and Applied Linguistics in Hong Kong, London, and Barcelona.
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