Every year more and more people start saying “Happy Holidays” because it is politically correct. I have no problems if that is what you choose to say, my problem is with the people who get offended if I do say “Merry Christmas.” My family chooses to celebrate Christmas, so, therefore, I say Merry Christmas to people I say my goodbye. At work when customers leave I make sure to say it with a nice warm smile on my face, but one time a customer had an issue with it. “I don’t celebrate Christmas, why would you assume I did? Everybody in America doesn’t celebrate the same holidays…” and her speech went on for a couple more minutes. Throughout the whole thing, I thought to myself, all she had to do was reply with whatever holiday she does celebrate, or with a have a good day.

Why does everything these days have to turn into some reason for somebody to get upset over something so tiny? There are people out there who would love to be able to have the chances we have here, yet people take everything we have for granted. When I hear somebody complaining about what somebody chooses to say I just think to myself, why? Why does it matter? What difference does it make to you? Does it hurt you for people not to be the same as you? None of it matters. All they are, are words that mean something to the person saying them.

If somebody were to say, “Happy Kwanza,” or “Happy Hanukkah” I would gladly respond with that. I was raised in a family where we learned to respect others for what religion they chose to practice or not practice. I was raised to be polite to the people I see and talk to because you never know what they have going on behind closed doors. Every time you get the chance to interact with somebody, you have the opportunity to make their day, so this season why not try and spread some holiday cheer?

No matter what somebody celebrates, this is the season to be with family and curl up by the fire with your closest friends and enjoy the company. So, whether you say Happy Holidays, Happy Kwanza, Happy Hanukkah, or Merry Christmas, enjoy this season. Remember what it is all about. It isn’t about what you get, or how much you get; it’s about who you are with. Some of the best gifts you will get in life, money can’t buy.