The Matter of Happy Holidays!
The Matter of ‘Happy Holidays’!
Only nine days left for 2024 to end, but the
good thing, they bring Christmas with them. Whether Christian or just a
Christmas enthusiast, we all flow with the spirit of Christmas - rewarding the
good, giving and sharing, lots of bright lights and decorations, great food and
drinks, not to forget presents?
I remember how as a child I looked forward to my
parents’ Christian friends including Bishop Rego, bringing square, round or
loaf-sized rich fruity plum cakes with that distinct fading smell of alcohol.
Even now most people I know, and non-Christians
at that, get scraggly green plastic decorations, tie bits and baubles on them, call
them Christmas trees, and place brightly packed packages under them as gifts.
Clubs, offices and residential societies organize variety programmes and lunches.
Office parties end with Secret Santa-a ritual that can either bring joy or
dismay to the recipient when they open the gift. Like Diwali, Christmas has
also gone beyond religious barriers and most people greet you with a ‘merry Christmas’
without giving it much thought.
But this year a youngster in the family
whispered, “Don’t say that” when I cheerily wished someone Merry Christmas. “It
is Happy Holidays,” he added in a hushed tone.
Was it about the whole season of Advent with the four Sundays, Christmas as also,
the Feast of the Epiphany?
Was it because I am not a Christian? Or that, religion-wise
our own political leaders have chosen a different battle? Was it a debate
about words?
No, none of that.
It was the issue of inclusivity in language and being politically correct. How can you be sure that the person you are greeting is a Christian? He could be a Jew and ready to celebrate Hannukah!
In India, there are a mere four to
five thousand Jews. How many of us know any or interact with them on a daily
basis? For that matter I do not even know any Buddhist who is celebrating Bodhi
Day today.
But it was in the USA which also has
African Americans who celebrate six-day Kwanzaa from the 26th of
December, the day after Christmas.
We have known that day as Boxing
Day, celebrated in the Commonwealth Nations.
Kojo Quartey, President, Monroe County
Community, explains
Kwanzaa is a
nonreligious festival whose concept was developed by Maulena Karenga, here in
the United States in 1966.
According to Karenga, “Kwanzaa is not a
religious holiday, but a cultural one with an inherent spiritual quality. Thus,
Africans of all faiths can and do celebrate Kwanzaa, i.e., Muslims, Christians,
Black Jews, Jews, Buddhists, Baha’i, and Hindus, as well as those who follow
the traditions of Maat, Yoruba, Ashanti, Dogon, etc.”
In an attempt to exhibit its
inclusive spirit, Virgin Mobile in its ad campaign in the early 2000s, had combined
the names of the three major holidays: Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa as Happy
Chrismahanukwanzakah!
Well, my aim was to be sensitive to
other people’s faith while greeting them with sincerity and I felt it right to
use, ‘Happy Holidays’ thereafter. For nearly a week I followed this principle
of inclusivity and secularism which required no effort at all, was not taking
anything away from me and everyone seemed happy and in a good mood.
I did not want to make anyone feel
left-out or ‘marginalised’. The holiday season involves celebration and coming
together, whatever be the religion and it seemed fit to be the carrier of all
that goodwill.
Unfortunately, it was less than a
week before my new-found greeting lost its sheen after dozens of Happy Holidays
had gone to and fro with cashiers in Shop and Save, Michael’s or Whole Foods,
acquaintances, friends and a couple of relatives.
The expression ‘Happy Holidays’ was
flexible alright but was too generic and not as warm as I meant it to be. I
considered several other alternatives.
Season’s greetings!
Warm/Best wishes for the holidays!
Have a delightful/joyous/happy/wonderful
holiday season!
The drawback was that they all looked
like they were from mass-produced greeting cards or email sent by HR.
I have spent a considerable time
racking my brain to find a happy alternative although nobody seems to find
anything wrong with ‘Happy Holidays’ and it is working fine in the world
outside the very, very limited reach of my mind.
I am still confused. You might think I am making an Everest out of the Aravali hills, yet I am concerned that like Black Friday sales which are slowly becoming a thing in India too, this might become big, so shouldn't we be prepared for it?
What do you think? Or are you worried
how to greet that someone you know who is observing Winter Solstice Day today?
- Anupama S Mani
Thoughtfully expressed, Politically correct in the present scenario. Very well written .
ReplyDeleteVery well written. Thank you
ReplyDeleteVery well expressed 👍
ReplyDeleteAdvance Happy New Year Sir
ReplyDeleteMadam,Your thoughts beautifully highlight the subtle yet meaningful differences in how we celebrate and greet during the holiday season. While 'Happy Holidays' works fine universally, your concern about preserving individuality in greetings is quite thought-provoking. As cultures evolve and global trends blend, perhaps finding a balance between tradition and modernity is the way forward. Preparing for meaningful and personalized greetings could make celebrations more heartfelt. A lovely perspective to reflect on.
ReplyDeleteVery nice. Wishing all religion festivals at once
ReplyDeleteFair enough... Happy Holidays. Guess, one could just wish Happy Christmas to the ones you know celebrate, and Happy Holidays to the ones unsure of celebrating.
ReplyDelete.
Every Year, the Christians in our gated community go out singing carols. I kept requesting them to allow me to join.They would evade me. This year I came to know that they were doing this for my safety.The carol singers were being tailed by Bajrang Dal/VHP types to make sure that they were not converting anybody.
ReplyDelete