First and foremost, I can tell you this, it wasn’t the Grinch. Over the past several years, it seems like saying “Merry Christmas” has been replaced, slowly, methodically and purposefully. At first it was innocuous, almost innocent, but now it seems to have grown to an overt avoidance to tell someone “Merry Christmas.” Instead, we hear the phrase “happy holidays.” At first it was so innocent that we hardly noticed, now anytime we hear happy holidays, we seem to feel compelled to reply the same thing back.

While Christmas shopping at the mall, whenever I’m at the cash register paying, and someone tells me happy holidays, I purposely reply, (with a smile) “Merry Christmas.” But, most of the time the person would respond with a big smile, look back and say, “Merry Christmas.” It’s as though they are waiting for permission to say, “Merry Christmas,” then once the invitation is granted, they do boldly and joyfully reply with, “Merry Christmas.”

On occasion, when someone says to me, “Happy holidays,” I have replied back, “So which holiday in particular are you referring to?” Think about it, we wish people a happy Thanksgiving, or say, “Have a safe 4th of July,” or even, “Happy Easter,” but we don’t want to use the phrase “Merry Christmas” for the Christmas holiday. A couple of days after Christmas you’ll hear people saying, “Happy New Year,” so it’s not the combination of Christmas and New Year’s being so close together.

Christmas trees, holiday decorations and Christmas sweaters have been replaced with holiday trees, holiday decorations and holiday sweaters … Really?!!!

So, what is it? I have a pretty good idea why “Merry Christmas” is avoided, but I’ll leave that alone for now. But know for many of us, we do know what’s happening. And for me, I’m going to do everything I can to bring Christmas back. How about you…?

Merry Christmas to all!