# The "Merry Christmas" vs "Happy Holidays" conflict is finally resolved. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 16, 2016, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays-conflict-is-finally-resolved/774823 "2016-12-16T00:52:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2016, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays-conflict-is-finally-resolved/774823/1 "2016-12-16T00:52:44Z")
I haven’t heard too much this year about the perennial conflict between those saying that “Merry Christmas” is not inclusive and those who say “Happy Holidays” is bland and joyless. Indeed, as one who feels that everyone should just use whatever greeting they want and no one should be attacked, bullied, shunned, or annoyed because of whatever greeting they pick, I’d be quite happy if the entire debate was over for good. Fortunately Mark Kessler, a professor of multicultural women’s and gender studies at Texas Women’s University, has a solution for how to be more all-inclusive: When planning December office parties that coincide with the Christmas season, it is a challenge for event organizers to make celebrations “all-inclusive.” Not all faith traditions have holidays in December, and not everyone identifies with a particular faith tradition. … Consider naming the party, if it is scheduled for December, without using the word “holiday.” “Holiday” connotes religious tradition and may not apply to all employees. For educational institutions, a December gathering may instead be called an “end of semester” party. For a business office, an “end of (fiscal) year” party may be more appropriate. So it turns out that _both_ those who say “Merry Christmas” _and_ those who say “Happy Holidays” have been oppressing religious minorities. It is true that not every single group on earth has a holiday in December, and thus using the word “holiday” in December is clearly a microaggression. Indeed, urging anyone to be happy or merry is clearly marginalizing. And after all, who’s heart wouldn’t thrill with joy at the approach of the End of (Fiscal) Year Party? Obviously the correct greeting at this time of year is, “Experience whatever emotion is appropriate for you during the end of (fiscal) year.” And the good professor has more advice, such as: [ul] [li]Plan a menu that does not symbolize a particular religious holiday (for example, red and green sugar cookies shaped like Christmas trees).[/li][li]Avoid religious symbolism, such as Santa Claus, evergreen trees or a red nosed reindeer, which are associated with Christmas traditions, when sending out announcements or decorating for the party. Excellent alternatives are snowflakes, snowmen or winter themes not directly associated with a particular holiday or religion.[/li][/ul] This, however, seems to be getting extremely problematic. Wouldn’t decorating with “snowmen” send the message that snowwomen are being excluded? And how are indigenous people from tropical regions without snow supposed to feel about finding their End of (Fiscal) Year party decorated with imperialistic snowflakes associated with oppressive places like Europe and North America? Unfortunately we don’t seem likely to get answers to these questions, as the university [appears to have removed](http://www.twu.edu/news/11-21-16-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us.asp) the advice from their website. (The cached version is [here](http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:XH4MVf5MfP8J:www.twu.edu/news/11-21-16-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us.asp+&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us).) ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2016, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays-conflict-is-finally-resolved/774823/2 "2016-12-16T01:06:50Z")
> [@ITR\_champion](#): > > “Experience whatever emotion is appropriate for you during the end of (fiscal) year.” I can see myself using this one. ---
**Author:** ![Trancephalic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trancephalic/32/380_2.png) [@Trancephalic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trancephalic)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2016, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays-conflict-is-finally-resolved/774823/3 "2016-12-16T01:15:36Z")
“Happy Solstice” has been around for years, is just as inclusive and not nearly as cynical. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2016, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays-conflict-is-finally-resolved/774823/4 "2016-12-16T01:25:46Z")
My former office always did an “End of Year Event.” In a predominantly Muslim country, where many of the invitees are not Christian, a “Christmas party” would indeed be a poor idea. But I always thought that an “End of Year Event” sounded incredibly depressing. Why not schedule a “New Year Celebration”? ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2016, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays-conflict-is-finally-resolved/774823/5 "2016-12-16T01:34:49Z")
wow and I thought _i_ could be a smart ass … ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2016, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays-conflict-is-finally-resolved/774823/6 "2016-12-16T01:45:01Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > My former office always did an “End of Year Event.” In a predominantly Muslim country, where many of the invitees are not Christian, a “Christmas party” would indeed be a poor idea. But I always thought that an “End of Year Event” sounded incredibly depressing. Why not schedule a “New Year Celebration”? Well then you’re just excluding and micro aggressing people from cultures whose calendar year doesn’t end in December. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2016, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays-conflict-is-finally-resolved/774823/7 "2016-12-16T01:58:05Z")
Happy solstice is a micro-aggression against Ecuadorans. ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2016, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays-conflict-is-finally-resolved/774823/8 "2016-12-16T02:05:45Z")
What about those whose Fiscal Year ends on June 30? All this micro-aggression bullshit reminds me of when I was a kid and my father would tell me that if I didn’t stop crying he’d give me something to cry about. Perhaps if the people who are complaining about microaggressions got smacked (figuratively speaking of course) in the face with a macro-aggression they’d shut up and be grateful they aren’t living someplace where people have bigger things to worry about than getting their feelings hurt. ---
**Author:** ![Trancephalic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trancephalic/32/380_2.png) [@Trancephalic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trancephalic)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2016, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays-conflict-is-finally-resolved/774823/9 "2016-12-16T04:31:39Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > Happy solstice is a micro-aggression against Ecuadorans. Oh no, those poor people and their 12 hours of year-round sunshine! ---
**Author:** ![Toxgoddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Toxgoddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxgoddess)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays-conflict-is-finally-resolved/774823/10 "2016-12-17T01:36:13Z")
Happy Festivus to all! And now for the Airing of the Grievances. I got a lot of issues with you people. Who can’t relate to that sentiment? ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays-conflict-is-finally-resolved/774823/11 "2016-12-17T11:48:54Z")
> [@Sahirrnee](#): > > Perhaps if the people who are complaining about microaggressions got smacked (figuratively speaking of course) in the face with a macro-aggression they’d shut up and be grateful they aren’t living someplace where people have bigger things to worry about than getting their feelings hurt. Micro aggressions do seem to be mostly a First World Problem, probably because others are too busy dealing with genuine problems. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays-conflict-is-finally-resolved/774823/12 "2016-12-17T16:38:37Z")
> [@ITR\_champion](#): > > Excellent alternatives are snowflakes Let me help you by fixing your typo & missed word: _Excellent alternatives [del]are[/del] for **special** snowflakes_… ---
**Author:** ![Pixel\_Dent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc8723/32.png) [@Pixel\_Dent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixel_Dent)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays-conflict-is-finally-resolved/774823/13 "2016-12-17T20:08:00Z")
Just another skirmish in the war on Saturnalia ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays-conflict-is-finally-resolved/774823/14 "2016-12-17T20:18:03Z")
[It’s a Kung Pao Buckaroo Holiday](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXjYIs2Mr5U)/Whatever you do watch what you say/If you’re easily offended well that’s okay/It’s a completely non-offensive and politically correct holiday. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2016, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays-conflict-is-finally-resolved/774823/15 "2016-12-18T00:29:12Z")
I use “and have a blessed holiday season.” It satisfies most, and if someone replies with “merry Christmas” I reply in kind rather than list the many religious holidays this time of year. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2016, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays-conflict-is-finally-resolved/774823/16 "2016-12-18T00:35:48Z")
Surely the appropriate saying is: Bah! Humbug! ---
**Author:** ![DaveRaver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daveraver/32/1078_2.png) [@DaveRaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveRaver)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2016, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays-conflict-is-finally-resolved/774823/17 "2016-12-18T00:55:39Z")
You can’t say “end of year”. Not everyone follows the Gregorian calendar. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays-conflict-is-finally-resolved/774823/18 "2016-12-19T14:42:56Z")
I always say something like “No matter what you celebrate, make it a happy one.” I’m often told “Merry Christmas” and I let it pass. This year I’ll be observing the pagan solstice on Wednesday December 21st at 5:44 a.m., and my B-day on Friday. So be it. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays-conflict-is-finally-resolved/774823/19 "2016-12-19T15:06:16Z")
This year, as it does everywhere, my Facebook feed includes people who point out how fearless they are to continue to say Merry Christmas, despite the fact that 99.999% of them have never been asked not to say it. ---
**Author:** ![Teach-me-not](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a4c791/32.png) [@Teach-me-not](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teach-me-not)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays-conflict-is-finally-resolved/774823/20 "2016-12-19T15:10:32Z")
> [@Sahirrnee](#): > > Perhaps if the people who are complaining about microaggressions got smacked (figuratively speaking of course) in the face with a macro-aggression they’d shut up and be grateful they aren’t living someplace where people have bigger things to worry about than getting their feelings hurt. I am sure the same advice holds for people crying about the Starbucks holiday cup being green instead of the traditional red. 🙂 Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-merry-christmas-vs-happy-holidays-conflict-is-finally-resolved/774823.md?page=2)