Happy Holidays

Not too long ago, I used to hate how meaningless and generic ‘Happy Holidays’ seemed to be, so I thought I would try something new at the time. I looked up all the winter holidays I could get my hands on and I sent out a ‘Happy Holidays’ note unlike a great many I had encountered. It was a long and denoted dates–and some times–of many of the holidays I could find. In recent years, I haven’t really had time to do it, but I do kind of pay attention in the background.

Since I have been more active in posting recently, I wanted to do a ‘Happy Holidays’ post again, showing my new audience the bounty of holidays these seemingly generic and so called ‘politically correct’ words encompassed, but alas, I again lacked the time to do the proper research. I hope after you have read this post, you will take the time to explore the various holidays that surround you. It is a world rich with culture, events and holidays! Once you know just how many are happening all at once, it becomes more difficult to wish anyone anything other than ‘Happy Holidays’.

With luck I will have a better Holidays Card next year, in the meantime, here is a list of some holidays that have already occured or will occur soon:

• Ramadan (Occured much earlier with Eid al Fitr at its end)
• Chanukah, Hannukah, Channukah and other spellings Happy Chanukah!
• Saint Nicholas Day
• Santa Lucia
• Las Posadas
• Yule/Winter Solstice Joyous Yule!
• Christmas Merry Christmas!
• Kwanzaa
• Festivus
• Saint Stephen’s Day
• Boxing Day
• New Year
• Epiphany/Theophany
• Chinese New Year (Actually in February, but worth adding here)

Since the time of my first winter holidays explorations where I discovered mean and dangerous creatures alongside the benevolent beings most residents of the USA know about, I have ever been curious about how people around the world celebrate their winter holidays. If you read this blog, please share your traditions and holidays with me. It would be greatly appreciated.

With all I have stated in mind, I want you to know whenever I wish you Happy Holidays, I really do mean what I say.

Happy Holidays to Everyone!

Tags: 2009, holidays, traditions