Recently, one of my classes had a discussion about the phrase, "Happy Holidays." While I don't think this is super important, it does bring up a subject that interests me.
Happy Holidays is thought to be a religiously neutral phrase that people use when they either don't know the other person's religion, or when they want to include all religions in the happiness. I find nothing wrong with the statement, it would be odd saying "Merry Christmas" to a Jew or Muslim, or saying "Happy Hanukkah" to a Christian. Why not just say "Happy Holidays."
Recently, there I attended a Holiday Sweater contest and the most surprising thing happened, there was someone with a Hanukkah Sweater, that being said, I thought "Wow, so they really meant "Holiday Sweater Contest." So really, when I thought they were kind of weak for saying "Holiday" instead of "Christmas" I was surprised to see someone with a Hanukkah Sweater on-stage.
What I don't approve of is people using it because they are too scared or politically correct to say something else. You shouldn't be afraid to say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Hanukkah" or anything else for that matter. No one should limit should be able to pressure you into limiting your freedom of speech just because they believe something else. I myself am a Catholic, but if anyone said to me, "Happy Hannukah" I would return the greeting and go on with my life, it's not like I'm going to burst into flames for not correcting them, besides, it's basically them telling me to have a good day, you should only take these mistakes with a grain of salt.
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