Even though I am christian, I think it is just more polite to say happy holidays!
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I will go for Happy Holidays. It's political more nice and correct.

Regards and happy holidays!

cametilinus
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I'm sorry to hear that people are getting all Grinchy when you say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas."

It seems like people are becoming reactionary to the percieved War on Christmas. I think everybody is just stressed out even more than normal this holiday season due to economic woes and the like. I know my holiday cheer is pretty low this year, and puncuated with the occasional bout of joy.

1. Bribery's always good. Have little chocolate bite-sized snickers or candy canes to give to people while saying "Happy Holidays." The candy will help raise their spirits and their blood sugar, which is clearly low, which is why they're grouchy.

2. Be somewhat apologetic. Say something like, "I didn't want the other holidays to feel left out! The lonely winter solstice never gets any respect." This is kind of anthropormorphizing the holiday, and making people feel like you are saying it so as not to hurt the feelings of the holiday.

3. Say "Merry Holidays" instead of "Happy Holidays." That will cause enough cognitive dissonance for you to slip away from casual encounters before they can process what you've said and give a lecture.

4. Saying "Lighten up, dude!" would probably not go over well, but it's a thought. Especially if coupled with suggestion #1.
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I'm glad "Happy Holidays" is barely ever used in the UK. What a ridiculous politically correct term.

I prefer Happy or Merry Christmas. (I sometimes hesitate to use merry, because I think it can imply drinking alcohol to excess), or Happy Hannukah, or Happy whatever. It doesn't hurt to ask someone what they celebrate!

If you don't celebrate Christmas yourself, then I suppose wishing others Happy Holidays could be OK, but why can't you just say you hope *they* enjoy celebrating Christmas (even if you don't).
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Happy Holidays is more professional in my opinion
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Happy Holidays.

Speaking for myself, if someone questions my use of the phrase, I look them firmly in the eye and in my best sing-song voice start reciting "You say tomatoe, I say tomahto, You say potatoe, I say potahto". Repeat as necessary. Usually once is enough. Subject closed.
Source(s):
Long suffering experience.

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Happy Holidays is definitely more correct unless you know that the person is Christian. There is no way to be polite to someone who takes offense because their reaction has already shown that they think or want everyone to be Christian as well, and/or that they think the season belongs to them alone. However, you could try responding to an insistent Merry Christmas with a Happy Hannukah or Happy New Year etc whichever is your favorite. That's a fairly subtle reminder that you may not share their beliefs.
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There is nothing inappropriate about recommending that someone have a Happy Christmas or a Happy Hannukah. The receiver is free to ignore the suggestion and to have an unhappy holiday.
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Why not both? I mean, it isn't like you need to be limited in what you say. But if you want to be open to all religions, you would need to add "Happy Kwanzaa" as well as "Have a Wonderful Muharram" to cover all your bases.
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Personally I say "Happy Holidays" during the actual week of Christmas, then I say "Merry Christmas" on the actual day of Christmas.
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