Say "Merry Christmas" - And Mean It.

How To Get The Most Out of Xmas - Greetings and Gretting Cards.

Greetings: It's ok to tell another person "Merry Christmas" because it is , after all, Christmas. It's not a winterfest, a parade of lights, a winter holiday or a have a nice day.  People say it because they are happy and they want others to be happy to.

For the person recieving the greeting: If you celebrate Christmas, say it back. If you don't celebrate Christmas, accept it in the spirit that it is offered. It's a wish for  happiness, a sharing of good feelings. No body is trying to convert you or to browbeat you with the fact that its not your holiday - they say it because they mean it: they want you to be merry. You don't have to echo the same words, be combativie in rejecting the  wishes or make a stand for non-celebraters everywhere. Accept it in the sprit that its offered and say something like "thanks", "ok then" "um- hmm" or "happy new year" and get along with things.

For those giving the greeting: Don't be stupid about it. If you KNOW someone is not a celebrant or is the type to become offended, then don't say it. The point again is to wish someone well, not to force something on them. Someone else will come along in a minute or two and you can say it to them. If you get back a 'happy hannukah', accept it in the spirit that it is offered and say thanks. If your greeting gets you back a"I'm an atheist" that is someone who is trying to browbeat you and they want you to be uncomfortable*.  That's not the in keeping with Chriistmas spirit at all.

Greeting Cards: Back in the day, there were so many Christmas cards that the mailman was obliged to deliver twice a day, even on the Sunday before Christmas. You could line every doorway on both sides with the cards and they became part of the holiday decorating scheme. Now - not so much. Sure, there are cards to be exchanged but really, not so much.

Didja ever notice that you can predict based on previous years what kind of card your acquaintances will send you? Janet always sends me something with the three kings on it, Babrbara goes more for the anthropomorphized animals scampering around a snowdusted evergreen. Year after year. I go in spurts: I used to look for cards that had 4 of the same thing on the front - 4 bears, 4 stockings, 4 birds - to symoblized the 4 of us in our family, then when I fell under the spell of Handel's Messiah, I searched for cards that had "For Unto Us A Child Is Born" on them.  Sam always looks for a card that carries a scene of Bethlemhem. This year, glitter was important to me. But no matter what style the card is, it has to mention Christmas somewhere on it. I'm not sending a holiday card, I'm sending a Christmas card. And by the way, those oversized, expensive, foil-embossed Seasons Greetings cards that I get from business sources? I throw them away.  I don't want anybody thanking me for my business in a Christmas card.

Also, you should write a short note inside, especially if the cards have your name imprinted as the signature. Something simple but sincere, even if it's only a cheery "Hope to see you sometime in 2005!" this is not the forum to announce things like your cat died this year (nobody cares).  Newsletter get my seal of approval, though. I love those things! We only get 2 and I do so enjoy them even if they are myopically cheery and phoney.

*

Comments

[The Prop]

For years now we have been doing photo cards of Daughter and Dogs. This year the pictures didn't turn out so well. Long story short: no cards this year, my fault.

[shelley ju]

I never reject a "merry Christmas" greeting and typically reciprocate, but I can't say it doesn't bother me, just a smidge, when people who know me very well and are aware that I don't celebrate Christmas still send me religious Christmas cards. I understand that no one is trying to convert me. It's just that I face those messages from strangers and shopping malls and the media all day long out in the world, so I would hope that those who know me would send me a non-religious "greetings of the season" sort of card or wish me a simple "happy holidays." And for the record, (1) I don't consider Christmas trees, snowmen, Santa, snowflakes, or reindeer to be religious symbols for card-sending purposes, and (2) nor do I feel that wishing me a happy Chanukah is either necessary or expected. (Chanukah is a minor Jewish festival and is nothing in comparison to the significance of Christmas to Christians.)

All of that being said ... Merry Christmas, Suzette, and a healthy, happy New Year to you and yours! :-)

[schmed]

I read this piece by Charles Krauthammer yesterday. He simply nails it.

[Mary Beth]

In the spirit of the holiday and spreading good cheer, I'm going to make a small sign to use in my car for when I'm trying to leave my mall-job. the sign is going to say:

Santa is watching. Be NICE.

You heard it here first.

[lee]

I adore Christmas but this year my family is scattered far and wide, I'm 3 weeks off having a baby and can hardly walk let alone drive into town and fight it out for presents with the ravening hoards, and anyway all our spare money has been gobbled up with buying baby "stuff" (they need A LOT of STUFF), and the weather- instead of the usual calm sunny beachy days we normally associate with the Xmas barbie- is blowing straight from Antarctica complete with power cuts, snow and hail.
Reading your blog has been my one Christmasy reminder this year, thank you for sharing and making me smile, now next year.... I'm building a crache, sending out cards, buying some bows, putting up lights, buying presents, baking cakes, drinking champagne and doing it right.
Merry Christmas Suzette, xxx

[t]

December 25th is Christmas. Its not Chanukah. Chanukah is over.
Chanukah's 8 days change dates each year.
December 25th is Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Suzette!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[The Prop]

I hereby wish Lee a Merry New Baby. Anyone have a problem with that?

[GrumpyBunny]

AMEN, SISTAH!

[Oouie]

You said it Shelley Ju. That's exactly how I feel. I'm an atheist and feel VERY strongly about, but I wouldn't dream of taking offense to a well meaning Merry Christmas from almost anyone. But my friends and family and coworkers all know that I'm an atheist and that I think religion does more harm in the world than good. So when one of them sends me a religious email or card, I cannot help but be offended.