Americans primarily say "Merry Christmas" as the standard, traditional greeting during the holiday season, particularly on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For a more inclusive, secular, or broader greeting that covers the entire period (including Hanukkah and New Year's), "Happy Holidays" is also very commonly used.
One of the earliest known uses of Merry Christmas is in a December 22, 1534, record of a letter from Bishop John Fisher to Thomas Cromwell. To this day, Merry Christmas remains the most common way to express Christmas greetings in the United States.
If you've ever wondered why the only holiday for which the typical American greeting doesn't use the word “happy,” you're not alone. Adding to the oddity of “Merry Christmas” as the American norm is the fact that, across the pond in Great Britain, “Happy Christmas” is often used.
In the United States, the fifth American edition of William Perry's Royal Standard English Dictionary, published in Boston in 1800, included in its list of "Explanations of Common Abbreviations, or Contraction of Words" the entry: "Xmas. Christmas." Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. used the term in a letter dated 1923.
The Christmas season or the festive season, also known as the holiday season or the holidays, is an annual period generally spanning from November or December to early January incorporating Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
The greeting dates back around 1534, London. John Fisher (bishop) sent a letter to Thomas Cromwell saying: 'We wish you a merry Christmas' (as the song says). Queen Victoria used Happy Christmas before this date. 'Happy Holidays' is a very popular greetings used by everyone.
"It's on the calendar!" American living in California and we say "on Christmas" if we're referring to December 25th, and "at Christmas" if referring to Christmas time. We say on Christmas day sometimes.
What is the difference between Christmas in the US and the UK?
British Christmas focuses more on Boxing Day and an extended, food-centric holiday with traditions like mince pies and crackers, while American Christmas centers more on Christmas Day itself, with a bigger emphasis on Santa Claus bringing many presents under the tree, often preceded by the secularized festivities starting after Thanksgiving, and featuring treats like eggnog. Key differences include food (mince pies vs. cookies/milk for Santa), timing (UK's Boxing Day vs. US post-Thanksgiving rush), and gift-giving customs (UK's stocking vs. under-tree presents).
Christmas is also sometimes known as Xmas. Some people don't think it's correct to call Christmas 'Xmas' as that takes the 'Christ' (Jesus) out of Christmas. But that isn't right! (The word Christmas comes from Christ-Mass, the Church service that celebrated the birth of Jesus.)
There are plenty of other popular Christmas sayings that help usher everyone into the spirit of the season, like “let it snow,” “jingle all the way” and “joy to the world.”
Why can't we say "merry Christmas" anymore in the UK?
There's never been any kind of ban on saying Merry Christmas, and creating more (accidentally or intentionally) by spreading this nonsense isn't fair on anyone. If it's been done just for likes, write something useful/nice and they might come your way.
Why do Americans say Merry Christmas instead of Happy Christmas?
Merry came about first via the Germanic language around the 12th century, meaning “joyful,” “cheerful,” “pleasant” etc. Happy, on the other hand, didn't come into the scene until the 14th century, and meant "luck," "chance," or "fortunate."
The top 10 Christmas words often center on festive feelings, Santa, gifts, and decorations, with popular choices including Merry, Jolly, Santa Claus, Gifts, Christmas Tree, Reindeer, Snow, Festive, Lights, and Joy, reflecting themes of happiness, tradition, and celebration.
There is hardly any country where Christmas is celebrated as big as in America. This period of Christmas and New Year's Eve is also called ”Holiday Season” in America, a period in which everyone is free and spends a lot of time with friends and family.
Conversely, Americans generally expect 'merry. ' Avoid confusion—be specific: Instead of saying 'Happy Christmas Eve,' consider rephrasing: 'Wishing you a joyful Christmas Eve' or 'Have a wonderful Christmas Eve celebration.
