On Thanksgiving day, my family and I were gathered around the TV watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. (It was the first time in my life that I had ever seen it, and I found it to be quite entertaining.) Christmas, of course, was a very large theme. By the time it was over, however, we realized that they hadn't said "Merry Christmas" once (at least from what I saw)...instead, allowing the phrase "Happy Holidays" to take its place.

This is something that has stood out to me a lot over the past couple of years. I have yet to see a sign saying "Merry Christmas" in a department store this year. I am getting just a little bit tired of the "Seasons Greetings!" and "Happy Holidays!" Wrapping paper is now called "Holiday Gift Wrap," the DJ over the radio goes on and on about "Holiday shopping." Christmas trees are even, on occasion, called "Holiday trees."

Of course, there's nothing wrong with a person wishing me "Happy Holidays," I just think that the phrase "Merry Christmas" should be used as well; in fact, I think that it should be used more often than "Happy Holidays." The majority of people in America celebrate Christmas - not all the people, and its nice to try and be sensitive - but there shouldn't be anything evil about wishing someone a "Merry Christmas" from time to time, and anyone who thinks that it's offensive to the public to mention the word Christmas is making a mountain out of a molehill. Christmas is a tradition (in America at least), and calling it Christmas is part of the tradition.

Besides, deleting the name of a holiday while still advertising it does nothing. The department stores may not be saying "Merry Christmas" anymore, but they are still showing displays of Santa Clause or Rudolph (as an example), which are directly linked to Christmas. The fact is that most people are celebrating Christmas at this time of year, and if someone is offended by the presence of such a holiday, then trying to avoid the name while still advertising the holiday isn't going to solve anything.

Well, that's my opinion at least...