'Addressing' the Holiday Season?

SGM Matthew Quick — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 23:40:59 -0500

Personally and professionally...how do you address the holiday season?

I.e., Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, etc...

Discussion point: If you personally say 'Merry Christmas', do you 'professionally' say 'Happy Holidays' within groups (or vice versa)?

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2013 11:45 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 23:45:30 -0500

Just as you said with family and close friends I'll say Merry Christmas ....while in uniform around people I don't know, I'll just say happy holidays. Not knowing what someone celebrates I don't want to insult anyone.

Response by SSG Andrew Dydasco made Dec 25 at 2013 7:15 PM

SSG Andrew Dydasco — Wed, 25 Dec 2013 19:15:59 -0500

MSG, I find it a little silly that people get offended when the general, "Happy Holidays!" is used. I feel as though the phrase 'happy holidays' encompasses and includes everyone, and therefore should be perfectly safe in a professional environment. Even personally I use both phrases, Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays. I really don't see what all the fuss is about.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Dec 25 at 2013 9:48 PM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Wed, 25 Dec 2013 21:48:18 -0500

MSG(P) Quick:

I say Merry Christmas, and this year I have heard many
Happy Holiday responses. This pulled my
curiosity, and I asked others what motivates you to say
Happy
Holidays? Many have been told by their employer not to say Merry Christmas.

For many this may seem like a little issue, but it is a National Struggle on not offending anyone. The irony is for many our own Spiritual rights are being challenged.

The Bill Orielly factor has covered this subject extensively.

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Dec 27 at 2013 6:06 PM

CMDCM Gene Treants — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 18:06:09 -0500

It IS Christmas, at least for me. It may be another day for you, but, I do not take offense to someone wishing me a Happy Hanuka or Kwanzaa or even Festevas (as ridiculous as that is). This is the holiday I celebrate and not another so, Merry Christmas to you and if you want to answer Happy Holidays, I will not take offense. BUT, do not ask me to modify my greeting or response.

By the way, not all of us are even going to agree about Happy New Year. Do you want to rename that to be politically correct too?

An it used to be BC and AD. Now it is BCE and ACE: Before the Common Era and After the Common Era. Please tell me what the heck that even means?

An Old Master Chief - just sign me OD - Old Dinosaur

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2013 8:23 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 20:23:54 -0500

I say Merry Christmas on and off post. That's the holiday I celebrate.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2013 9:17 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 21:17:49 -0500

I say, "Merry Christmas". My only exception is to friends who're Jewish. No one's ever even implied that they've taken offense or recommended I do otherwise. I personally believe the "War on Christmas" is a tempest in a teapot. It's folks getting overly sensitive about other folks getting overly sensitive.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2014 3:55 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 15:55:54 -0400

If in a family scenario...the usual holiday pablum. If in a professional setting I grunt something unintelligible and move on. I do not participate in any exchanges of gifts - even when command directed - and I do not go to any parties - especially those "command appearances". Even as a mere E-3 I challenged the command to punish me - they backed down on each occurance.

I tend to go to the watch standers positions on the day of the holiday and relieve the youngest, married servicemember and stand their watch.

'Nuff said.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 24 at 2014 8:17 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 20:17:53 -0400

Some people are sensitive about their religious beliefs around this time of the year so if I don't know them it's Happy Holiday. Around my family and friends its Merry Christmas and when in doubt,

"Happy Festivus for the rest of us!"

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2014 8:47 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 20:47:49 -0400

Merry Christmas... if I don't know them I'll act like the Grinch.

Response by LTC Paul Heinlein made Aug 24 at 2014 8:59 PM

LTC Paul Heinlein — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 20:59:17 -0400

I say, "Thanks for your Service and Merry Christmas!"

Response by SSG Rafael R. Rodriguez Sr. made Dec 16 at 2021 6:49 PM

SSG Rafael R. Rodriguez Sr. — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 18:49:17 -0500

I personally in my family always say Merry Christmas because we believe in the birth of Jesus Christ.