Larry D. Lauer

Every year I seem to run into this same issue somewhere:

Is it better just to say “Happy Holidays”  than to run the risk of saying “Merry Christmas” to someone who does not observe the Christian holiday?  This year I had a colleague raise the question rather seriously. His position was simply: “It’s Christmas time damn it!”

I must confess that most of the time I have made what seems to be the safer “Happy Holidays” choice, especially with professional colleagues where there might be some mystery as to their preference.  But I must also say I am very much aware that “Christmas” for many people is mostly “a season,” a season of celebrations and parties, of giving gifts to friends and family, of going to see Santa, of taking countless trips to the mall, and of feasting on wonderful traditional family recipes.  And so saying “Have a wonderful Christmas” these days might very well be an acceptable greeting for most everyone.  Yes, Christmas day is indeed a Christian holiday, but those who say “Merry Christmas” can  mean to deliver a positive message of best wishes to everyone.

From a professional communicator’s perspective, I submit that making sure your intent and sincerity comes through what you say is what matters most at this wonderful time of the year.  It is a season to celebrate our common humanity, and not our differences.  It’s a season for us all to call for Peace among all men and women, in all parts of the world.  

So I say, go the extra mile to communicate all of what you really mean. If  you do that, it shouldn’t matter whether you also add Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, give another religious holiday greeting, or mean all of the above!  Come to think of it, my friends, all of them is what I really wish for you!  And a better 2012, as well.