Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, or Merry Xmas? What to say to Americans?

Do you have a favorite holiday? Mine is Christmas.

I love the festive atmosphere in December.

Houses have outdoor lights, and you can often see pretty Christmas trees through windows.

Holiday music is easy to find on the radio, and you hear it in stores too.

There are a lot of social events at this time of the year, at school and around town.

There may be winter concerts and cookie exchanges.

Some offices have gift exchanges among workers.

Parents take small children to visit Santa Claus in shopping centers so that they can tell him what’s on their Christmas list.

So although Christmas is one day out of the whole year, it’s really a whole season. Christmastime refers the period around Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Christmas today here in the U.S. has both secular and religious celebrations.

“Secular” refers to things that aren’t religious.

So, for example, we have Christmas songs that are religious and are often sung in church,

and we have secular Christmas songs that are just about holiday fun.

When I was growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, all I heard was “Merry Christmas!”

It was a friendly holiday wish that we said to everyone.

Over the years, we've become more sensitive to cultural differences

and we try to be more inclusive now, meaning we don’t want to exclude people from events and experiences.

My children have learned in school that there are other celebrations at the end of the year...

-- other holidays bsides Christmas. Like Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

This is one reason why the greeting “Happy Holidays!” has become so widespread in the U.S.

Some people can be sensitive to receiving one greeting rather than another.

Is “Merry Christmas” only for people who go to church? Is “Happy Holidays” not specific enough?

I think what’s important in communication is the meaning of our words, our intention.

So should you say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays”?

I like to see the goodness in people. My personal feeling is that if someone is wishing you goodwill, meaning kindness and friendship,

and if it’s coming from the heart, then it shouldn't matter which greeting they're using.

I think we should just accept either greeting as someone’s intention to share their holiday happiness with us.

I think you should be aware that some people prefer one greeting over the other,

but if you speak with kindness, then I think your intention and your meaning will be understood regardless.

And, by the way, don't be surprised to see the abbreviation "Xmas" on a store sign or in an informal online text.

The abbreviation is readily understood - "Merry Xmas!" for example, in a text between friends. But it's not what I'd write on a holiday card to my neighbors.

I would choose the full form. "Merry Christmas!"

Do you remember all the words I highlighted?

Let's review them. I'll show you a definition. You recall the word.

Here are a few tips for using holiday greetings among American English speakers.

So in our small New England town here in the U.S.A., which greeting do you think we hear more at this time of the year?

But what do I hear a the stores, at the post office, and from my neighbors?

More often, it's "Merry Christmas!"

Either greeting is said with a warm, friendly smile.

And we respond:

You can also return the greeting:

So now I'll end with my holidays wishes:

Because this is the season to feel merry and to hope for peace among all people,

I wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Holidays, and a very Happy New Year!

I wish you all the best today and every day of the year! Thanks for watching and happy studies!