We all know the expression Happy Holidays.  It’s everywhere this time of year.  You’ll hear it from people in stores, at the post office, at work, at school, even at church. In fact, a lengthy discussion recently ensued when a parishioner wished our priest Happy Holidays.  The expression is so generic that as a society, it seems that we no longer celebrate what makes each of us special.  How can we teach our children to be accepting of differences if we can’t even acknowledge our differences?

December is a wonderful month packed with quite a few religious and non religious holidays. I can think of Hanukkah, Muharram, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, the Moon Festival and New Years.  Rather than wish our friends a generic Happy Holidays shouldn’t we express sentiments that reflect what they celebrate?  In March, I wish my Persian friends a Happy New Year and in October (or late September) I offer the same sentiments to my Jewish friends.  In turn they wish me a Happy New Year in December.

So the next time that someone you know well, wishes you a Happy Holidays perhaps you’ll return the sentiment in a less generic manner.

contributed by Chief Princess Mom
photo by Hilde Vanstraelen