Forum Topic

What is the best greeting to use in Xmas cards?

I want to sent cards to all my neighbours and as I don't know them that well I am afraid of offendng any that are not Christian. An American friend of mine suggested "Happy Holidays" as a safe alternative. I have never heard that before. Will it work, or will it just draw a blank?

John F Stillwell ● 3711d22 Comments

So not even any of the kind that just has a signature.  You don't notice the printed message but you have to decipher the signature and the only conclusion you can have is that "He's still alive then."  There is no more information.

Philippa Bond ● 3695d

I've done the same down or road.I wrote:-Dear neighbourMerry Christmas!!RegardsMeAnd then at the very end in brackets I wrote Allah Akhbar so as not to stir up any mass demonstrations and riotous burning of the Bible(PS not really.... I send no cards at all)

Colin Goodman ● 3696d

just like our elected Prime Minister, be bold, upfront as he portrays in pre election spin.Blank, no reference whatsoever

Peter Yale ● 3705d

Pre blimin cisely,innit?

Tony Wood ● 3705d

Why not just wish anyone you want to wish a Merry Christmas and if they are offended, which I doubt they would be,then that's their problem?

Keith Iddon ● 3705d

There aren't far too much PC issues these days.There are far too many people who have let themselves be convinced by the daily mail and the like that if they send a card with happy christmas in it to a non christian neighbour or colleague they are going to be sent to prison...That's all.

Paul James ● 3706d

Don't buy me a present,I'll have the cash.

Tony Wood ● 3706d

as a nice gesture, like a bag of sugar to a new neighbour.No innuendo or alternative without being dissected or scrutinised, judged & even worse labelled

Peter Yale ● 3707d

Why send a 'Christmas' card in the first place if you think it may offend.

Kevin Hemming ● 3707d

You've offended me with your Xmas .

Frank Walsh ● 3710d

It depends when you send the card!

Philippa Bond ● 3710d

Season's Greetings is meaningless with 4 seasons of about 3 months each.

Fred Hunt ● 3710d

I wish friends and neighbours a Happy Christmas - now who could be offended by that?There is far too much PC issues nowadays. I am sure other religions or groups are not so shy about wishing others Happy Diwali or whatever.We are far too concerned about upsetting anyone, it is becoming ridiculous. As for Seasons Greetings or Happy Holidays - forget it! It is CHRISTMAS

Jean F Fernandez ● 3710d

I think the key is in Xmas as opposed to C.....mas otherwise us atheists may get offended!

Simon Wycombe ● 3710d

It should be Season's Greetings with the apostrophe.  I corrected it!A lot of people complain about Happy Easter because it is not considered a happy time by a lot of people.You don't have to rely on the card to give the message anyway.  Do you own thing.

Philippa Bond ● 3710d

A Christmas time, it's HAPPY CHRISTMAS.  At Easter, it's HAPPY EASTER.  If anyone does not want to be happy at these times, that's up to them.  If I was to receive a HAPPY DIWALI or HAPPY EID card (if they exist), I would be pleased that someone had thought of me.

Brian Davis ● 3711d

exactly Mr Hunt, exactly,"We celebrate " eid, diwali etc etc.Christmas, celebrating the birth of Christ in our Christian country

Peter Yale ● 3711d

I must say "Happy Holidays" is meaningless. Do we send these at Christmas, Easter, Whitsun or every Bank Holiday?

Philip Coe ● 3711d

'Merry Christmas'…  who does this offend?

Fred Hunt ● 3711d

Does not sound as though Happy Holidays is going to hit the spot so perhaps Seasons Greetings would be better.

John F Stillwell ● 3711d

I still have a lot with "Season's Greetings" on them and my Muslim friends often send ones saying "Happy Christmas". Friends of all religions give presents particularly to their children at this time of year because of the holiday and to fit in with their friends who are given them.  It is a great time to keep in touch with family. In fact I wish more companies were more generous to their workers living away from home to give them time/make it easier for them to travel home if they want to - instead of just giving the afternoon of the 24th.

Philippa Bond ● 3711d

I still have a lot with "Seasons Greetings" on them and my Muslim friends often send ones saying "Happy Christmas". Friends of all religions give presents particularly to their children at this time of year because of the holiday and to fit in with their friends who are given them.  It is a great time to keep in touch with family. In fact I wish more companies were more generous to their workers living away from home to give them time/make it easier for them to travel home if they want to - instead of just the afternoon of the 24th.

Philippa Bond ● 3711d