Survey: 7 of 10 Americans Prefer 'Merry Christmas' Over 'Happy Holidays'

By Lawrence Jones|Christian Post Reporter

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When Americans go Christmas shopping, many prefer to see stores use the traditional phrase “Merry Christmas” in their seasonal advertising rather than “Happy Holidays,” a new poll found.

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(Photo: AP Images / David Zalubowski)
Checkout lines back up just after a Target store opened for the holiday shopping season in Aurora, Colo., early Friday, Nov. 23, 2007. Shoppers were out in force to take advantage of the early-morning bargains offered by retailers.

'Naughty or Nice' List Advises Christians Where to Shop for Christmas

The survey released by Rasmussen Reports after the Thanksgiving holiday showed that 67 percent of Americans favor “Merry Christmas” while only 26 percent would choose “Happy Holidays.”

The poll results were the same for men and women and presented few demographic differences.

But a comparison between responses from Republicans and Democrats, however, revealed a sharp contrast.

While 88 percent of Republicans prefer “Merry Christmas,” just 57 percent of Democrats favor the greeting.

Meanwhile, 57 percent of Americans say they will attend a Christian service on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day this year, with women more likely to attend a Christmas service than men.

Nearly 30 percent of respondents say they won’t go to a special service.

Over the years, many businesses and retailers have removed the phrase “Merry Christmas” or references to Christmas from their stores and opted for a version like “Happy Holidays” instead.

In an attempt to encourage stores to retain references to the Dec. 25 holiday, a Christian legal group has released a “Naughty or Nice” list that advises Christians where to shop for Christmas.

Businesses and retailers are placed on the “Nice” list if they recognize Christmas and on the “Naughty” list if they censor such references.

The list was released as part of Fla.-based Liberty Counsel’s fifth annual Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign, in which the legal group is pledging to be a "Friend" to those entities which do not censor Christmas and a "Foe" to those that do.

The Rasmussen survey was based on a national telephone survey of 1,000 Adults, conducted from November 18-19, 2007. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95 percent level of confidence.

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jester_in_the_Kings_court »

Sat Dec 01, 2007 10:50 am Agree: 0 Disagree: 2

rubin...
Change it to Xmas so you can subsitute somethinge else? Talk about being so open minded that your brain fell out. How about Satanmas...or Lucifermas? That sounds about right, eh?
braveheart »

Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:54 am Agree: 0 Disagree: 2

Flagged as inappropriate. show Ron Karenga created Kwanza because he is a galloping anti-Christ who believes black people have been duped into Christianity. He wanted to interupt the Christmas celebrations carried on by black people, and switch their allegences to some mystical ancestor worship. He belongs to a larger group of anti-Christ black scholars who are seeded on campuses across this nation, that would rather encourage our young black students to embrace witchcraft on trips to Africa, yet will not encourage study of the legitimate church-based nature of African American culture. hide
maranatha7593 »

Fri Nov 30, 2007 2:26 am Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

I had wondered if perhaps Kwanzaa was meant to coincide with Ramadan in some way, because I remember there was a strong rise of Islam among African-Americans in the mid- to late-'60s. I found this article which mentions that. It's on down toward the bottom of the page.

http://www.ithaca.edu/ithacan/articles/0012/14/accent/0diverse_grou.htm
rubinlueski »

Thu Nov 29, 2007 5:47 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

I use Xmas. I like it because I use the X as a variable and then folks can change the variable to what ever they want such as Hanukkah OR Kwanzaa OR Christ OR Fest OR Ratzazz OR Allah OR Winter OR what ever one wants it to be
jester_in_the_Kings_court »

Thu Nov 29, 2007 8:32 am Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

here's one for you...
"Kwanzaa is a unique African American celebration with focus on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce, and self-improvement. Kwanzaa is neither political nor religious and despite some misconceptions, is not a substitute for Christmas. It is simply a time of reaffirming African-American people, their ancestors and culture. Kwanzaa, which means "first fruits of the harvest" in the African language Kiswahili, has gained tremendous acceptance. Since its founding in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa has come to be observed by more than18 million people worldwide."
So kwanzaa, which we are supposed to acknowlege, is neither political nor religious. And it was founded by a man just over 40 years ago. But if you read up on it, it sounds to me like someone trying to create an alternative to Christmas and Hannukah.

http://www.tike.com/celeb-kw.htm
jester_in_the_Kings_court »

Thu Nov 29, 2007 8:23 am Agree: 0 Disagree: 1

braveheart...
what the heck is cabal?
luvhaight »

Wed Nov 28, 2007 1:33 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 0

Yes, vote with your feet!--but don't forget to love your enemies (doesn't mean you have to give them your money but name calling is pretty hard to justify) and pray for those who persecute you. This could mean that at the same time you make a decision to shop elsewhere that you send up a prayer for those responsible for making these anti-christian decisions. Remember God loves the too!
moderation »

Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:59 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

It's simply that they like to hear a greeting involving their holiday. Thats all
moderation »

Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:59 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 2

It's simply that they like to hear a greeting involving their holiday. Thats all
braveheart »

Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:48 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 1

Flagged as inappropriate. show It is not up to merchants to "include" other religions in a Christian holiday season. They do this, then on the pretext that they are addressing those other than Christians, they censor the word "Christmas", by preventing their employees from saying the traditional American greeting for this time of year - "Merry Christmas." They ban nativity scenes from the window displays where they were routinely displayed for many decades. Yet, all the while they are busy hijacking the image of Christmas - Christmas trees, ornaments, wrapped gifts, wreaths, Christmas cookies, holly, etc. They raise up Santa Claus as the god of Christmas with their relentless mindbending campaigns directed at our children. They have intentionally secularized Christmastime. Merchants were not given the cultural authority to divest Christians of their way of celebrating their Christian Christmas season. They do not have the right to take the customs, rituals and presentations of Christian Christmas, and nutur them in order to include the 1.2% Jews and the 0.6% Muslims in the religious celebrations that 96% of Americans practice at this time of the year. The very audacity of these fat-cat merchants is an indication of their disdain and hostility to the sensibilities of the overwhelming majority of Americans. You are right, Americans should vote with their feet, and march right over these overbearing, culture-killing money lords. hide
davidperkins »

Wed Nov 28, 2007 11:17 am Agree: 2 Disagree: 0

I have a good laugh at 2/3 of my fellow Christians who voted into office conservatives who lack the guts to take on business and then you complain because no one has the fortitute to "make" businesses put up the signs you prefer.
Why not do as free markets have always done and vote with your feet (and dollars) to a store that has the sign you like?
If I were in the retail business I would certainly try to include as many customers as possible; Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and all others during this holiday rush.
We true Christians will opt out of gift giving -although the gifts of the Magi were no small act- and see you in church worshiping the birth of our savior.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Thank you Lord for the birth of your son.
David Perkins
braveheart »

Wed Nov 28, 2007 9:44 am Agree: 1 Disagree: 0

Flagged as inappropriate. show Retailers are in the business of providing a service - selling products to a society. They, in the process of selling to a particular culture, should reflect that culture; not forcibly alter the culture's image nor profile in order to make more money, or to carry out their fifth column underground agenda. hide
luvhaight »

Wed Nov 28, 2007 8:35 am Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

[If a store decides it wants to change the signage to Happy Holidays shouldn't they be allowed to]

Wow, I guess I missed the news stories about stores not being allowed to post "Happy Holiday" signs. Foolish me, I thought it was the other way around.
braveheart »

Wed Nov 28, 2007 5:48 am Agree: 1 Disagree: 0

Flagged as inappropriate. show Are retailers in the business of selling products, or have they taken on the ominus, big brother role of cultural engineers? Retailers know that 96% of American celebrate Christmas. They also know that Christmas profits are the difference annually between break even and a profit. So the question looms - "Why would a sizeable portion of merchants insult the very hand that feeds them?" Could it be that they represent an anti-Christian cabal that has grown so fat off of Christmas that they no longer fear biting the hand that feeds them? Has this anti-Christian cabal declared war on the American Christian culture, while the culture still remain unaware of the true nature of these well-heeled, well-connected manipulators? hide
skilldeadly »

Wed Nov 28, 2007 3:26 am Agree: 0 Disagree: 1

Christmas is not about Christians anymore. It's taken it's own meaning. The only reason 7 out of 10 want to hear Merry Christmas is because of the holiday itself, not because it supports Jesus. I like Merry Christmas because the majority supports Christmas. I shouldn't have to censor myself for the minority.

That leads into stores. If a store decides it wants to change the signage to Happy Holidays shouldn't they be allowed to? Wouldn't you not want someone to have up Merry Christmas in their windows when they don't even know what it means?
wilderness »

Tue Nov 27, 2007 4:26 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 1

Somebody must have flagged my post by mistake. I will share it again with additions.

The early church turned the world upside down. They did that without saying, “Merry Christmas.” Without boycotting stores who fail to say, “Merry Christmas.” And without celebrating pagan filled holidays.

Our Christian forefathers did not sacrifice their lives for Christmas trees, mistletoe hanging from the door, writing letters to Santa, and making sure spoiled little Billy gets the new fad product for the year.

The gospel and life of Jesus Christ is not wrapped up in pretty paper and ribbons. It is bathed in crimson and forged in brokenness. It shakes with a horrendous cry, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” It is a call to repentance. A call to new life. A call to holiness and a call to worldly separation.
luvhaight »

Tue Nov 27, 2007 2:40 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 0

You wrote: "Intersting that the greeting happy holidays exist so many years, without concern, because there was nothing to be concerned about. Then comes a time in history where Bill Oreilly et. al. can make a good living by creating controversy, where there wasn't one. Holidays is plural. I doubt happy holidays ever meant anything more than a wish you have a great Christmas and New Year."

Yes, the happy times to which you refer, when "happy holidays" was not a problem, were the same times when there wasn't also an ongoing effort to eradicate "Merry Christmas" from the marketplace. I think we would all be happy if we could return to those days when companies didn't send out memos to their employees telling them to only say "happy holidays" and under no circumstances say"Merry Christmas," when greeting or thanking customers.

I have no problem with "happy holidays,' but as a mandatory substitute for "Merry Christmas," it loses a lot of it's appeal.
luvhaight »

Tue Nov 27, 2007 11:54 am Agree: 3 Disagree: 1

You said [The early church turned the world upside down.
They did that
…without saying, “Merry Christmas.”
…without boycotting stores who fail to say, “Merry Christmas.]

I say: Yes God bless them--they were hung from crosses, burned at the stake, imprisoned and suffered all manners of persecution, for boldy speaking the name of Christ and preaching his gospel. It was their sacrifice that made it possible for us to forward the name of Christ without fear of persecution.

There is nothing wrong with not ceding territory for which our Christian forefathers sacrificed their lives. There is also nothing wrong with boycotting. Society is shaped immensely by where we choose to place our resources and if you find an issue petty you do not have to particpate. I choose carefully the charitable institutions I support--why shouldn't apply the same principles to the businesses with whom I choose to shop.

Merry Christmas!
Prophet »

Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:55 am Agree: 3 Disagree: 1

sport
my point is this. It's really not that petty. Christmas is a Christian holiday. Whether Christ was actually born around that time of the year is irrevelant. That is when we chose to celebrate it. To say anything else would be disrespectful (for lack of a better term). It would be like coming to you on your birhtday and saying "Happy Independence Day!".
I agree with many of the posts that say Christmas is too commercialized. When my family asks what i want for Christmas...I always say the same thing. "i want you for Christmas" I know it sounds corny, but i dont care about the gifts. Jesus' birth is one of the greatest gifts I could have asked for (next to his sacrifice on the cross). I just want to be with family and celebrate our Savior's birthday. Isn't it customary to give gifts to the person who's birthday it is? What gifts to we bring to Jesus? Our lives? Our dreams? Our desires? Our sins and fears? What do you give someone who has everything? Ourselves! Completely and wholey.
Happy Birhtday, my beloved Jesus! I love you.
MuggleBorn »

Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:07 am Agree: 3 Disagree: 1

Part of the reason for wishing our neighbors a “Merry Christmas” as opposed to “Happy Holidays” is to help emphasize the fact that without Jesus, we wouldn’t have this celebration. Under the right circumstances, it’s an opportunity to evangelize to those who don’t know Christ. “Mood of Your Choice Swingin’ Regular Series of 24 Hour Planet Cycles” just doesn’t cut it. I don’t know if anyone every intended to try and bury the celebration of our Lord and Savior’s birth with “Happy Holidays”. We have had a recent track record of inventing PC language for anything and everything … not just religious/spiritual references. I always figured it was about pleasing the masses at the lowest common denominator … It’s all about the $$$.

But I’m still amazed at how many people still believe that Christmas is about Santa Claus. And yes, I’ve heard the phrase, “Santa Claus is what Christmas is all about”, with a smile and a cherry on top. That’s when I ask “Then why don’t we wish people a Merry Clausmas?” Then they look at me funny and I realize I said something geek-esk … again. But then I share the story of Christ’s birth, and they listen politely (because it’s the “holidays” and all) and say, “Oh yeah … I forgot about that”. It’s when I add the actual Good News of what Easter is all about when they say, “Really??? I thought that was just a marketing thingy [scheme] to sell candy!”

NOPE! It’s about salvation … the best candy of all :^)

And I agree with Prophet, that it’s perfectly reasonable (even necessary) to graciously accept other religious holiday greetings. Ask them about their holiday and traditions, if you don’t know. Take advantage of “inclusion” for the glory of God. It can be turned into another opportunity to share the Gospel.
wilderness »

Tue Nov 27, 2007 6:10 am Agree: 2 Disagree: 0

The early church turned the world upside down.

They did that

…without saying, “Merry Christmas.”
…without boycotting stores who fail to say, “Merry Christmas.”
pvlman »

Mon Nov 26, 2007 11:05 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 1

Intersting that the greeting happy holidays exist so many years, without concern, because there was nothing to be concerned about. Then comes a time in history where Bill Oreilly et. al. can make a good living by creating controversy, where there wasn't one. Holidays is plural. I doubt happy holidays ever meant anything more than a wish you have a great Christmas and New Year.
SportinLife »

Mon Nov 26, 2007 10:56 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 0

That's an odd feeling for you to get, Proph. I don't think it has any basis.

By all means keep saying Merry Christmas as you please. If you say it to me, I'll thank you and wish you one as well. But the article is about seasonal signage in retail stores! And some organization which is trying to get people to boycott stores because their decorations say the wrong thing. That's the part that seems petty.
antietam1958 »

Mon Nov 26, 2007 10:31 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 1

When did this all change from “marry Christmas” to “Happy Holiday”?
I can say either one because to Christmas has gotten away from what it was in years past. Today Christmas is so commercial that it seems just like another day to me. I can be happy with either one of them. If we keep auguring about them both of the statements will disappear and we will not have any thing to call it in the further. So if we keep on fighting about the one to use we will have to find something else to call it so why not say “Happy birthday Jesus”

Easter is another religious holiday that is not even found in the bible with the death of Christ or his resurrection from the grave. The only time Easter is found in the bible has something to do with Peter being brought before some judge in Rome. I celebrate both of them because the church where I go does it.
Prophet »

Mon Nov 26, 2007 9:46 pm Agree: 3 Disagree: 1

sport
I get the feeling that everything makes Christians look petty to you. Christmas is a Christian holiday. If someone comes to me and says "happy kwanza" i'll say "happy kwanza" back to them. or someone says "happy hannukah"...i'll say it back. that's how i respect their beliefs. But I won't stop saying "Merry Christmas". Because its all about Christ' birth.
SportinLife »

Mon Nov 26, 2007 8:11 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 0

I think this sort of thing makes christians look petty. I prefer a "Happy Holidays" message because I want to extend my best wishes to everyone--not just to those who celebrate christmas.
Prophet »

Mon Nov 26, 2007 6:34 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 0

Its true that Christians took the pagan holiday that worshipped the sun and turned into Christmas (theologians believe that Jesus was born in october, i think), but it's stil the day we chose to celebrate His birth. And Happy Holiday isn't that much worse than Merry Christmas...after all ...it means Happy Holy-Day, which is what Christ's birth was.
and holito....satan wants the whole mile? That's an understatement...he won't be happy until he has the world. but what you said is true...we can't afford to give him even an inch.
A.S.Mathew »

Mon Nov 26, 2007 3:19 pm Agree: 3 Disagree: 1

Christmas is for celebrating the birth of Christ, and why we need to hide the truth? There is a time to say "enough is enough". If Christians won't stand for their rights, their rights will be
taken away one at a time. If the stores are getting too secular to avoid " Merry Christmas",
boycott them, and when they lose the revenue, then they will understand the gravity.
holito8 »

Mon Nov 26, 2007 5:32 am Agree: 6 Disagree: 1

We never says "happy holidays" on NewYear's day, Valetine, Easter, St Patrick's day, Thanksgiving, or any of the other holiday. Isn't it convient that we only says it for Christmas, or Christ Birthday. We can keep letting the devil take a inch thinking he will stop. But the Bible says he wants the whole mile.

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