A couple of years ago I had had enough of the whole PC, happy holidays, don’t you dare offend someone by saying “Merry Christmas” nonsense. I started saying “Merry Christmas” to anyone and everyone every chance I got.
Some people smile and say “Merry Christmas” back. Some people (especially in retail) look shocked or bewildered. I’m sure they have been instructed by their bosses to never say “Merry Christmas”. Too bad for them.
So I am continuing my crusade this year and, in an attempt to spread this subversive message, I offer this graphic. If you are a rebel like me and proudly proclaim “Merry Christmas” instead of some inane PC substitute, feel free to lift the graphic and put it on your website. If you want to leave a comment so we can visit your site, feel free!
The more the merrier! 
I always wish Merry Christmas unless I know the person doesn’t celebrate Christmas (ie: a close friend of ours in Jewish, so I wish him happy Rosh Hashanah).
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Sallie!
Jen C,
Merry Christmas to you too!
Definitely! I would not wish someone a Merry Christmas if I already knew they didn’t celebrate. But my thought is if they are selling me a Christmas present… then I’m going to say Merry Christmas! Or if they have Christmas pins on and they work in a retail outlet… they get a Merry Christmas.
David was telling me that a number of companies have gone back to using Christmas as a word because of the backlash. I think it was Lowe’s that had the “holiday trees” a year or two ago and took a lot of flack for it. I notice all their trees online this year are Christmas Trees.
I agree, I think if a store is decorated for Christmas and I am buying a bunch of Christmas gifts and wrapping, I will say Merry Christmas. On the other hand though, I wouldn’t get offended by “Happy Holidays” especially in a situation where the person doesn’t know me.
I think that an observant person of another faith knows a Christmas Tree is a Christian tradition, and a retailer calling it a Holiday Tree is not going to entice them to buy one! They are probably just as confused by the silliness of that.
I guess the bigger issue is the secular humanist type who comes from a Christian background, who wants to have all the materialistic traditions of Christmas, without celebrating the real meaning of Christmas. I have to admit that annoys me, but maybe it’s time to accept the fact that there is a secular “holiday”?
I’ve been doing the same thing for years. Especially since it made the news a few years ago about the big corporate stores telling their people NOT to say Merry Christmas.
I placed the Say Merry Christmas on my blog and linked over here.
Visiting from Coffee Tea Books and Me – Yes, I say Merry Christmas, too! Merry Christmas to you and your family
Thanks to Brenda at Coffee, Tea, Books and Me (and the above comment) for linking here and to your Merry Christmas greeting reminder.
Of course I have greeted my Jewish friend with Happy Channukah. She wished me a Merry Christmas.
Christmas is not a secular holiday and I resist all efforts to make it so or acknowledge it as such. I believe this secularization is an erosion of our faith and American heritage.
[...] Sunday Afternoon Tea post at Coffee, Tea, Books and Me linked to Sallie’s blog, A Quiet Simple Life, about her crusade to greet everyone she meets with a traditional “Merry [...]
I live and work in a small town so I always say Merry Christmas and expect the same in return. =)
I will say Merry Christmas until my dying breath. Jesus is the reason for the wonderful season. That’s what it’s all about. I’m going to use your lovely badge on my blog.
I don’t really understand this way of thinking. Of course if you know someone celebrates Christmas, it makes sense to wish them a merry one. If the other person is a stranger, however, what would be the point of assuming they celebrate that holiday or in fact, any other holiday? Hindus, Buddists, Jehovah’s Witmesses, and so many others, may work in retail because they want to put food on the table and a roof over their head. They would have no control over the fact that the economy of the U.S. depends on Christmas spending. What advantage is gained in wishing a person of another faith a merry Christmas? (I could be misunderstanding this and it could be that you just want them to wish “you” a merry one, if you are buying Christmas supplies from them.(?) Forgive me if I am not “getting” it. Happens to me a lot.)
Brenda, Carla and Carol – Thank you for the links!
Welcome to everyone visiting from Coffee, Tea, Books and Me!
Hope – Hi and thanks for asking. If someone wishes me a happy holidays, I say Merry Christmas. The season is about Christmas, not some vague holiday. If I said Merry Christmas to someone and they said that they celebrate Hanukkah or something else… Then I would give them a big smile and wish them a Happy Hanukkah. If they said they didn’t celebrate Christmas, then I would respond that I hope they have a nice weekend or something else like that. My point is not to be offensive or belittle people who don’t celebrate Christmas. My point is to speak of Christmas which is what I am celebrating, not a vague holiday season. I hope that clears it up.
Thanks!! And Merry Christmas to you as well!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
I couldn’t help giggle as I read your post and thought,”I’m a rebel” too and posted this on my blog.
It’s funny for something that we have grown up with and sparks of cheer and fun, it’s so hush hush…heavens…are they going to change “It’s a Wonderful Life” and dub “Happy Holidays” over George’s “Merry Christmas”?
Thank you sooo Much for sharing this!
My friend (Twinkle Mom) told me about this and I now have it on my blog also!
God bless and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Thanks for sharing this picture! I, too, say Merry Christmas every chance I get!
I came over from SunflowerFaith, which I found on the Simple Woman’s Daybook. Feel free to visit me anytime!