I like that Disney says "Christmas"

[crisi]

I celebrate the Solstices, and I take off from work for them too. Gee, and I guess I was wrong when it seemed all my Jewish friends were excited to be celebrating Hanukkah. All that prep time and tradition they put into it - made it seem like a big deal to me.

While "majority rules" is the basic premise in the United States, it does not cover religion, thank goodness. Of course Christmas is just the way Christians tried to win over the Pagans way back when... I have no problem if someone says "Merry Christmas" to me, as I'll take all the good, cheerful feelings sent my way, and I hope they don't mind when I respond "Blessed Yule".

Do you get Solstice off? My company makes me take Christmas off, but Solstice I have to take off if I want it. And yeah, a lot of Jews enjoy celebrating Hanukkah, but it was a minor holiday in the Jewish calendar that has - in some ways - been promoted by American Jews to provide Jews with something like parity.

If Pagans and Wiccans were the majority, we'd get Solstices off and when people call Halloween a Harvest Festival we'd say "you are trying to take the Goddess out of the Seasons!" (Which DOES seem to be a driving factor behind Harvest Festivals - I think Season's Greetings and Happy Holidays is less about removing Christ from Christmas and more about having an inclusive greeting that will cover the half a dozen holidays and celebrations that happen between Thanksgiving and the Superbowl - you can leave your Happy Holidays banners up in the mall until the first week of January - the Merry Christmas ones are dated on the 26th

(Disclaimer - as a Unitarian I've been known to celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. Halloween as a religious holiday. Solstice as a religious holiday. And even Hannukah. I don't make a habit of fasting through Ramadan though. We like our holidays - and since we come from a variety of religious traditions, we claim many of them.)

Halloween and Christmas are secular holidays - celebrated by some Americans as religious holidays. You can't read too much into a secular corporation choosing to market to either of these holidays.

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

we chose to say Merry Christmas, because we celebrate the birth of Christ. HOWEVER if someone would say to me Happy Hannukah, I would not be offended in any way. If I know someone is not a Christian then I will say happy holidays to them. But in general I say Merry Christmas. We attended the MVMCP this past Friday and we enjoyed it very much.

 

[MightyMom]

I'm a strong Christian rooted firmly in my beliefs. I say Merry Christmas to everyone..... and I even have a stash of mini candy canes in my purse that I hand out to random people during the day. Peoples faces light up when you hand them a candy cane and say "Merry Christmas".

I also say "God Bless You" when I hear a stranger sneeze in a store. It's a habit.... and I don't believe it is a bad habit.

I hope no one is ever offended by what I say, but rather take it in the spirit in which it was offered.

With that said...... I do not celebrate Halloween. But when a stranger wishes me a Happy Halloween I am not offended. I smile and say, "thanks".

To the OT.... don't be so naive to think Disney celebrates the Christmas season to stand firm in religious beliefs. Disney celebrates Christmas because the vast majority of people celebrate and flock to WDW to be a part of it. I guarantee they would stop celebrating Christmas if people didn't come. Disney is a money making machine and Christmas is a money maker.

 

[GEM]

For the record.....I say "Merry Christmas" most of the time and I'm not a Christian. My celebration has nothing to do with Jesus' birth. It has to do with family, and tradition, and the spirit of giving, and general holiday fun. But, I still say "Merry Christmas" most of the time because that's the name of the holiday and that's what I grew up with. I do use "Happy Holidays" too, though. Although, I usually mean that as in ALL the winter season holidays - Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, etc. The card we're sending out this year says "Happy Holidays", but that's just because we liked the design of that one better. So....don't assume all us "Merry Christmas" folks are making a religious statement.

 

[LadyShea]

don't be so naive to think Disney celebrates the Christmas season to stand firm in religious beliefs.

Agreed, especially since the current CEO is Jewish, as was the last one.

 

[badblackpug]

With all the Political Correctness now-a-days having to say "Happy Holidays" and "Seasons Greetings", I think it is great that Disney still says "Merry Christmas". I like that they have the candlelight processional and the "Very Merry Christmas Party" and the choirs singing Christmas songs. My wife and I have our first born on the way and we like the fact that Disney is so family oriented. It is one of the reasons we bought DVC.

Thank you Disney for not caving in to the PC crowd!

I don't see "Happy Holidays" as "caving" to the "PC crowd." I don't see it as "PC" at all. I see it as being polite. Regardless of what you, personally, celebrate, it is a little short-sighted to assume that everyone else celebrates the same holiday. "Happy Holidays" is a nice way to include EVERYONE in your good wishes.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I think we Americans are spending far too much time these days taking offense at petty things (or getting offended on behalf of others). I think it's safe to assume that no matter what phrase is used, no ill will is intended.

 

[StephMK]

I don't see "Happy Holidays" as "caving" to the "PC crowd." I don't see it as "PC" at all. I see it as being polite. Regardless of what you, personally, celebrate, it is a little short-sighted to assume that everyone else celebrates the same holiday. "Happy Holidays" is a nice way to include EVERYONE in your good wishes.

I agree & that's how I operate too. It was interesting last year though. DD & I were ringing one of the Salvation Army kettle bells & wishing people Happy Holidays. We got quite a few annoyed looks & a few indignant "I celebrate Christmas". We moved from a very diverse area to one not as diverse & it was eye opening that people would get upset over a general sentiment. We celebrate Christmas too but I still use Happy Holidays because I feel it's more welcoming to any & all.

 

[Schmeck]

DD & I were ringing one of the Salvation Army kettle bells & wishing people Happy Holidays. We got quite a few annoyed looks & a few indignant "I celebrate Christmas".

To which I would have responded "Oh, Christmas isn't a holiday? I can't wish that your holiday is a happy one? Sorry!" with a great deal of smiling and cheer.


crisi, my union contract states that we can take any religious day off that is not already a day off from school. Since most of our celebration takes place in the evening, I've only had to take a day or two each year for preparation time, mostly for the more involved nights of Samhain, etc.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

To which I would have responded "Oh, Christmas isn't a holiday? I can't wish that your holiday is a happy one? Sorry!" with a great deal of smiling and cheer.

 

[LadyShea]

I love to hear "Merry Christmas". If it's honestly the Christmas season, say it.

I say "Happy Chanukah" to those that it applies to. I'm sorry, but it has become too P.C.

Since I extend wishes to strangers regularly-store clerks, customers, people I meet, I use Happy Holidays because I don't know what they celebrate and it's inclusive.

I have European friends that celebrate December 5-6 under different names, some of which I can't pronounce. I have acquaintances who celebrate Epiphany (Twelfth Night) on January 5-6. Pretty much everyone celebrates New Year. As I mentioned before I work for a Jewish family. I have Pagan friends who celebrate on the Solstice rather than the 25th. These are all holidays and I wish them happy ones.

Why is inclusion and sensitivity labeled PC, and why is it considered such a horrible trait?

 

[LisaMommy]

I couldn't care less what someone says to me when it comes to holiday greetings, I prefer to focus on the fact that they wanted me to have a good time, no matter what my religion or culture.

And, for anyone who cares to listen, the holiday greeting for Kwanzaa is "Joyous Kwanzaa".

 

[Lady V]

I do too....Merry Christmas and everything else everyone!

 

[srwarden1928]

Personally, I HATE "Happy Holidays." I think that it cheapens ALL of the holidays. We celebrate Christmas, and normally would say Merry Christmas. If I know that a person celebrates Hannakah, I say Happy Hannakah to that person. I would much prefer someone saying Happy Hannakah to me. I respect that that person celebrates Hannakah. But I really dont like hearing Happy Holidays.

 

[#1 Pocahontas]

I think it's gotten way to PC. The majority of the USA celebrates Christmas, no matter if for religious reasons or not. That is why people say "Merry Christmas". It isn't some scheme to make others feel left out, we are just celebrating. I only think it's rude to say it to someone if you know they don't celebrate it and you tell them it anyway.

I'm not Jewish but I have been wished Happy Hanukah before, I have even been to a Hanukah celebration before. I in no way felt disrespected. I was glad for the kind greeting and warm wishes.

 

[alyssa810]

I think we Americans are spending far too much time these days taking offense at petty things (or getting offended on behalf of others). I think it's safe to assume that no matter what phrase is used, no ill will is intended.

I agree 100%!!! We are an mixed faith family; when we're with my husband's family, I say Merry Christmas, when we're with my family, it's Happy Chanukah. The only time I get offended (it's offended it a strong word) is when one of my Jewish relatives wishes me a Merry Christmas. And even then, I'm not really offended, it's just more of an eye roll. Also, my brothers will call to wish me a Merry Christmas just to be wisea**es, but it is also a holiday so everyone is home....My in-laws are always so careful to wish me a Happy Chanukah on Christmas, and I feel like "it's Christmas, your home, I am a guest in your home celebrating Christmas with you my family, it's not necessary to also wish me a happy Chanukah, but again, they're so concerned that they don't offend me- I know their hearts are in the right place.
As far as holiday cards, I send Chanukah cards to my friends and relatives who are Jewish, Christmas cards to my friends who are Christians, and for those of my friends who I specifically know don't celebrate, I try to find something wintery and not holiday specific. None of my African-American friends celebrate Kwanzaa, and trust me, I've asked.

Like PPs, when someone wishes me a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays when I'm out and about (since I don't think anyone's ever wished me a Happy Chanukah who I didn't know ) I just say "thank you."

And Disney has made some lovely Chanukah items; I have a cute menorah with a snow globe that has Mickey and Minnie playing dreidel! And we have one of those wall hanging things that says Happy Hanukkah too.

 

[tlbwriter]

I think we Americans are spending far too much time these days taking offense at petty things (or getting offended on behalf of others). I think it's safe to assume that no matter what phrase is used, no ill will is intended.

I agree. I don't think anyone should be offended at a polite, innocuous greeting such as "Happy Holidays." No ill will is intended.

 

[tlbwriter]

I hate to resurrect an old thread, but I just got back from the Word and noticed that not everybody there says Merry Christmas. For example, the tree at Epcot said, among other things, Happy Holidays and Merry Kwanzaa (or was it Happy?) I also saw menorahs at DS Guest Services and at the concierge desk at the BC. Even Art, the greeter at BC, welcomed us with "Happy Holidays." So you'll be glad to know that WDW is, in fact, inclusive of many different celebrants. Good for them!

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

I'm sorry if you interpreted it that way. It just means that religion promotes strong family values and Christmas is a religious holiday.

It's just nice to see at least one corporation remembering what Christmas is actually celebrating and celebrating it.

Don't you find it strange when you see commercials for "Holiday" shopping with a background of decorations traditionally used for Christmas? Or a commerical advertising a "Holiday Tree"? Everyone knows what "Holiday" the tree is for, why don't they just say it?

What is "sad" is some people go crazy shopping for Christmas gifts and they don't even know why they are doing it. What are they celebrating? Do they know why we give gifts at Christmas? Do they know what the word "Christmas" means?

Yes, lets not forget that Disney IS a corporation, and they are making $$$ on everything - Christmas Mickeys, Christmas Donalds, Christmas Minnies, Christmas Goofys...... Corporations have a lot of $$$ to make on Christmas, and not so much on Channukah or Kuanza (SP?)..... Theres really no point to putting up a Manorah in Disney (we were just there, and they were few and far between - and sad looking to say the least) because it won't make them money. Lets live in reality people, and the bottom line is the bottom line - M-O-N-E-Y. Disney would have every Rabi in existance in Disney on Channukah if they thought it would make them money, just like they have every Santa for every country in Epcot.

 

[3boymthr]

You know the world has gotten too PC when a catholic college sends out a "Happy Holidays" greeting to all it's alumni. I received this message yesterday. Having this message come from a school where courses in religious tradition are a required part of the curriculum and priests and nuns occupy a large portion of faculty positions it's rather ironic and speaks to how PC our country has become. In fact there is a huge email criticism of the college for being PC about the holidays circulating among the alumni which is why this thread caught my eye.