To prefer Merry Christmas to Happy Holidays!

[kittya]

Its too American isnt it? Its just something my friend told me about her workplace, that they arent allowed to send Happy Christmas cards to clients anymore but, Happy Holidays.

Maybe I just need to move with the times

You just knew that Winterval had to be an idea of the progressives

"The winterval fiasco, in 1998, came to be seen as one of the last, fatal, mistakes of Theresa Stewart's period as the left-wing Labour leader of the city council."

I think the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, was close to the mark, when he said

"Most pointedly, John Sentamu said he believed the purpose of winterval was to "systematically erode Christianity from public view"."

I think some people just think too much and are offended too easily tbh

I suspect the people that are apparently going to be offended by 'Merry Christmas' probably couldn't give a flying f*ck yet someone has decided to be outraged on their behalf!

Yes, of course Americans say Merry Christmas! And Season's Greetings. And Happy Hannukah. And Happy New Year. And Happy Kwanzaa.

And, if someone is sending a whole load of cards out (and/or photos of the kids and/or smug Round Robin letters :) ) at this time of year, and if they have friends or family who might be from diverse backgrounds or beliefs, they might just say "Happy Holidays" so as not to exclude anyone.

Terribly vulgar, those Americans. And twee and unpleasant. All the same, all 307,000,000 of them.

onceamai -

no, I heard it today with my own ears. One of those financial companies in the city which Im sure has many international clients.
Im sure its the norm in many big companies these days. Its abit sad, I think. I dont bother to send cards at all which must make me really miserable! I always buy them, just dont get round to sending them but I do get them from my workmates who are Jewish, Muslim and Hindu as well as Christian and, they all say Merry Christmas on them! I dont think its the individuals, just these big companies dictating to everyone.

'Not all Americans are the same y'know!'

of course they aren't. People are the same the world over. It's the officials that are different.

winterval myth

Quote from page linked to:

"Towards the end of my Winterval essay I point out that the reason the myth was still around after 12 years was because there would always be a public figure stupid enough to repeat it."

but is the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, a stupid figure? Or does he know something that the progressives deny?

Kittya - you heard it with your own ears - but was your friend actually being completely straight, or misinterpreting what she heard or read?

And I work for a v large v America company atm. Nothing but Christmas so far - although Diwali was quite early this year so no crossover in celebration. And Hannukah's a fixed date so no confusion there.

It's all bollocks you know

Claig - what's he saying? Don't know him.

Oh, your earlier quote Claig. Well, if one lot of people decide to call something Winterval once 12 years ago - then what of it? It's not like it's any kind of campaign.

Quick Poll - has anyone EVER directly been instructed to refer to something as winterval or the holidays?

Or have we all ONLY HEARD OF THIS SECOND HAND in a Daily Mail isn't it dreadful Mavis kind of way?

Holidays = holy days. This is actually recognised and honoured in America by the phrase 'Happy holidays'. All the various holy days that are celebrated by a huge number of people in very diverse workplaces all over the US are covered by one simple salutation. Tis most economical, and respectful too, not necessarily PC gone mad. 'Season's Greetings' is more secular. Any cards I send out have Merry Christmas on them unless I know the recipients do not celebrate Christmas.

Sentamu is the second highest cleric in the Church of England. He said

"Most pointedly, John Sentamu said he believed the purpose of winterval was to "systematically erode Christianity from public view"."

He also said

?This systematic erosion is subtle . . . Examples can be seen all over officialdom: the change in official government cards from ?Happy Christmas? to ?Season?s Greetings?.?

PerEgg - No, I've heard of the real thing, but, as I discovered, attempting to enlighten people desperate to find conspiracies against Christianity often fails.

I don't think it matters how many times poor Birmingham city council remind people there were big "Merry Christmas" signs up around Christmastime, someone will still come crawling out of the woodwork claiming that it wasn't an excellent economical stimulus to tie the festive, wintery season together between the major religions and secular people, but a conspiriacy to wipe Christianity off the map and put mosques everywhere or some such other dastardly deed.

maybe if I did ever get around to sending cards I should make sure I send Seasons Greetings to my friends who dont celebrate Xmas then? Ive never thought about it because its never been an issue. It was my muslim friend who decorated the Secret Santa box!! I honestly just think its the heads of companies who start all these rules off when no one is actually bothered!!

Talking of the States, for those of you in the know, is Thanksgiving a biggar deal then Christmas and, when you all go home for Thanksgiving weekends (like in the movies!) how long is that weekend? Our Christmas weekend this year is blinking four days!! Although, some of us will have to work

It looks like the Birmingham progressives were true to form

"Now it has emerged the local authority?s PC-brigade has struck once more and again attempted to flout tradition and stop workers from using the word ?Christmas?.

Official notice boards set up to allow the Council House staff to leave goodwill messages and cards during Christmas were officially labelled ?Holiday Season Notice Boards?."

Winterval creeping back in Birmingham

I'm sure he did Claig. I don't see what he's basing that opinion on, and I don't see what his ranking in a religious body has to do with his ability to construct an objective report on media trends. Although I might have an opinion on that myself...

Happy Holidays Claig.

His position near the top of the Church of England means that he knows quite a lot about religious matters and understands the politics involved.

Merry Christmas comrade

"Now it has emerged the local authority?s PC-brigade has struck once more and again attempted to flout tradition and stop workers from using the word ?Christmas?.

Official notice boards set up to allow the Council House staff to leave goodwill messages and cards during Christmas were officially labelled ?Holiday Season Notice Boards?."

Oh, I just can't leave this alone. But seriously - is there anything wrong with letting people use the same flippin space for Hannukah or Diwali or whatever greetings? Or are you only allowed public demonstration if your sky fairy is one of the christian denominations?

'sky fairy' is that a new progressive term that will soon be used on Winterval posters?