a different perspective, or why I say Merry Christmas

Time was, everyone said Merry Christmas. It was just a given. But the past few years have brought about an interesting change in our holiday wishes. Folks started trying to be all PC and use the nondenominational Happy Holidays.

I feel kind of funny saying Happy Holidays. It’s certainly a catch all phrase that covers all your well wishes for the season but it seems a lot like saying “have a nice day”. That’s just a rote saying everyone uses to fill in space.

I feel pretty passionate about Christmas. I love how everyone is a little nicer, a little kinder during this time of year. I like to imagine that these folks are getting closer to what’s inside by being a little more patient. Of course, I tend to avoid the hysteria of the mall and the latest must have toy so I don’t usually run into those folks that go to the other extreme at this time of year.

But I really like saying Merry Christmas because it’s a time of peace and joy and I want to spread those tender feelings of mine to all those I encounter. And in turn I love to hear Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanzaa from folks who celebrate those holidays. It’s an opportunity to open up a dialog about the different cultures and maybe even learn a little something along the way. 

So as I go forward this week and set out the decorations and plan out my gift giving, I'd like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

p.s. That's Mr. Candy Cane Stripe up there. He is the star of my Christmas cards this year. If you didn't get a Christmas card from me it wasn't because I don't love you but because I don't have your address. So drop me a line and let me get one in the mail to you.

Comments

[Renee]

Hi Felicia,
Thanks for the comment about my swap experiences. I was really nervous about writing that blog and am even more nervous to tell the swap hostesses. I don't want to be a tattle-tale & bring too much attention to the situation. Do you know what I mean?
Renee

[Chelsey]

I'm glad you find people nicer this time of year. I wish I could say the same.

[Renee]

p.s. Merry Christmas! I love your creatures.

[jeanetta]

i agree that i prefer the merry christmas. its more personal and an expression of your beliefs. i really hate politacal correctness in any form.

[Liz Cadorette]

Hi, Felicia!

I LOVE your wee sweater kitties and such. I see what you're saying about well wishes for the holidays, whatever the holiday may be. For myself, I say whatever the spirit moves me to say in the moment, and I expect the same in return. I don't bother with happy holidays or generic phrasing for the same reasons you list, but I also haven't had any backlash from it, so I concede that if someone replied in a nasty way I might have to rethink my policy. I am encouraged by humanity, however, that at 32 years old I still haven't had anyone ~knock wood~ reply to me with anything but the spirit of the season thus far. :)

(Thank you SO much for the comment on my "new" blog design, I was beginning to wonder if I really had lost all my readers altogether. You made me squee, so thank you!)

[Randi]

Merry Christmas to you to! Being politically correct goes against my nature so I prefer to be real and say it like it is!

[pam]

Oh, I love Mr. Candy Cane Stripe. I have my card posted on my bulletin board at work. It makes me smile.

[Brenda]

Thanks for the Christmas card, I love Mr. Candy Cane Stripe!

I agree, we should acknowledge whatever the holiday is rather than the generic Happy Holidays. I love diversity!

[Sue B]

Love this candy cane man, he is too cute. I got your postcard and it was a very fun surprise, thanks for sending it!

[Oiyi]

Yes, people are way too pc these days. I grew up saying Merry Christmas and I will keep saying that.

I love Mr. Candy Cane Stripe!

[equisetaceae]

I love this time of year for the same festive/positive/friendly spirit.

I find it so strange that when people wish me Merry Christmas and I wish them a Happy Hanukkah and it makes them feel uncomfortable. It's almost as if they were caught being un-PC or insensitive. I don't think that they are at all. I wish people the joy of my season and they wish me the joy of theirs. I don't like how people get all out of joint over this.

I love reading about people's advent traditions and plans for solstice etc... I love the fact that there are these traditions. The beauty of it. the lights, the colour, the excitement, the anticipation. It's not about the specific holiday, its about the feeling.

Although, I do have to say, I kind of like when people wish me a happy holidays instead of merry christmas. it makes me feel like they are acknowledging the fact that i celebrate a different holiday than the masses (i live in the middle of a very christian prairie!)

A happy non-denominational winter festival to all!

[Rachel]

Thanks for expressing what you feel. I did receive your card. I love it.

[Nena]

I love your little creatures! Mr candy-cane is quite adorable!
Thanks for sending me get well thoughts this morning I do feel better!
Merry Christmas to you I LOVE this Holiday! there is just something about it that makes me smile!

[M&Co]

I agree with you! Merry Christmas is soo much nicer :-)Luckily here in Norway we've kept God Jul which meens the same :-) You can not say nice things too many times anyway, so what are we trying to do...be economical about our greetings?
Love your candyman, makes me smile :-)

[Lauren]

Hi Felicia, I love all your Christmas tutorials.. great ideas. Keep up the good work! x

[laura from coconutannies]

Hi Felicia!
Thanx for the congrats! I've popped over to your blog for the first time and I LOVE your banner and sweet softies! Would you like to swap links?
Thanx and hugs, Laura

[Amy]

Thanks for commenting on my blog! I wanted to say I love the eyes on your creations. They honestly seem to be looking out of them.
:)

[michelle]

I loved my Mr. Candy Cane Stripe card, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[Michelle]

Mr. Candy Cane Stripe is so cute!!! Merry Christmas :)

[hazeljoy]

you're right - it's "merry christmas and happy new year"
and to you too xx

[Dr. B.]

Mr. Candy Cane Man is great!

I've actually been struck this year by the number of people wishing me a Happy Hanukkah with a joyous, wonderful smile. (I'm not Jewish.) I think as long as we don't assume everyone else celebrates what we do, but instead do what equisetaceae is suggesting -- simply wish one another true joy -- I think we're all good.

[Sue]

Thanks for stopping by my blog, so glad you did, I'm gonna add yours onto my list of favorites, it's so cute and festive!! And I agree with you, I love saying Merry Christmas and won't stop!

[Carrie K]

I find it a little disconcerting myself but oh well. I'm thinking about walking around saying "Bah, humbug." Cheery! lol.

Your kittie catnip toys are so cute!

[lynne]

Your site is so great! Love your little candy man. Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog today. Merry Christmas!

[Kathleen]

Merry Christmas back to ya. Kathleen

[Dyan]

I was thinkimg about that today too! I really prefer to say Merry Christmas because it has special meaning for me. Happy Holidays just sounds general...I got my card, thank you so much. Mr. Candystripes is sitting in one of my favourite books!

[katie]

love your blog! i could not agree with you more on this post. i always say merry christmas, i love to say it, and i also avoid the malls etc.
thsnk you for stopping by to say hi! i will be back to yours very soon, you are very inspiring!

[Carla]

Mr. Candy Stripe is TOO CUTE, and a VERY Merry Christmas to you too!

[Jennifer]

Merry Christmas to you too. Yeah, there's really no substitute for the greeting, is there?

[Jen]

He is SO cute! So creative...

You are right about "Merry Christmas". In my experience, it's a rare person indeed who is actually offended by that, no matter their faith. They respond in kind or with their own faith's celebration, and the the day is a little warmer.

[Mel]

You've got some really lovely things here on your blog :O)
Melx

[Chara Michele]

Merry Christmas Felicia! I loved your Christmas card by the way, not sure if I told you that or not...

[Danielle Nilsson]

Your candy cane postcard is super sweet!!!!

[Monkee Maker]

I got mine - thank you so much for your kind thought - and a Happy Christmas to you too :)

[London Southern Belle]

I love christmas as well. The spirit of it all ;)

Love the candy cane man. heheh cute!

happy christmas from London

[bethany]

Merry Christmas Felicia!!!

[HildeC]

I really like your Mr. Candy Cane - a great idea :-)

[Mrs.Staggs]

Happy Holidays doesn't bother me in the least. I think it is an expression of goodwill, just like wishing someone a nice day, is good manners. We could use more of both those things in our world today.
I say Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah when I know for sure in personal situations, because I know some who are offended by what they perceive as others assuming they celebrate a particular holiday.
When I wish someone a nice day, or Happy Holidays or anything else for that matter, I really mean it.

[Scrapbooker47]

I love your blog. I am new to blogging. I am looking for any tips that I should know. Thank you for sharing your world.

[Heather Jones]

I love all the little Christmas creatures you have made.

And I agree! I'm not afraid to say "Merry Christmas", and I'm not offended to hear something different. We don't have to be all the same or celebrate one big generic "holiday".