Holiday Spirits

This time of year, walking through school hallways, students are chattering about holidays. Specifically, Christmas. There’s even a countdown to Christmas Day on the board in my math room! On one hand, I’m glad to see that spirits are high, but on the other, I’m always bothered by the perception that everyone celebrates Christmas. I haven’t heard a word this year about Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or other wintertime celebrations, and unless I bring up the fact that no one talks about anything but Christmas, it’s likely to stay that way. Additionally, some people don’t celebrate any holidays this time of year.

I think it should be socially acceptable to say something other than “Merry Christmas,” when, for example, someone is checking out at a store. Why is it fair for people who celebrate Hanukkah to feel like they are obligated to respond with the same phrase? Why is it fair for non-celebrators to have to say “Merry Christmas,” back? What’s wrong with “Happy Hanukkah,” or “Happy Holidays?” It’s still possible to enjoy the holidays without using a specific religion’s holiday as a catch-all phrase.

Some may argue that Christmas is less about religion nowadays than in the past. That may be, but even as a cultural celebration, using “Merry Christmas,” as a catch-all well-wishing is misleading. Hanukkah is not Jewish Christmas. Calling Christmas a cultural celebration is still blatantly ignoring the cultural aspects of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the winter solstice, or the lack of cultural aspects for people who don’t celebrate holidays at all.

Not to mention the lack of commercial representation for holidays that aren’t Christmas. One Jewish high schooler I talked to said, “I tried to find Hanukkah wrapping paper and went to nine stores before one that didn’t say, ‘Um, we have some that’s kind of blue?’ that had snowmen or snowflakes (symbols typically tied to Christmas). Meanwhile, there were rolls and rolls and rolls of red and green patterns, Christmas trees, reindeer…When I finally found some with small menorahs spread very sparsely on it, it was $15. A roll of the first length at the same store that has Santas on it was $7.” When is society going to stop being anti-Semitic and start allowing people to publicly admit to celebrating holidays like Hanukkah without putting themselves in danger?

My request for everyone this holiday season is to keep in mind that Christmas is not the only winter holiday. By all means, continue saying “Merry Christmas,” but acknowledge other celebrations, or the lack thereof.