Holidays are cool.

This year people are getting worked up about the generic phrase "Happy holidays."

Why should the non-Christian community be so offended when someone tells them Happy Christmas? They should be thankful a stranger took the time out of his day to be nice!

I suppose this is true. If someone told me Happy anything -- Happy Today... Happy This Season -- I'd be pleased. We're all busy people. Stopping for a moment to say, "Happy Today" is a thoughtful thing to do.

My question is this: If you're taking the time to say "Happy Christmas," how much longer does it take to extend that greeting to cover everyone you might meet? "Happy Holidays" is all you need. That takes care of religious holidays, New Year's Day, and even any birthdays or anniversaries the person might celebrate during winter.

Ah, but it's one extra syllable. Hm. :
I'm in a whirlwind of present-shopping madness today, so I'm not in the mood for a rant. :) I'd much rather just extend holiday greetings. The fact is, I've always sent out generic holiday cards until e-cards were invented.

In the past, I made sure my cards avoided Christmas trees and Santa Claus simply because I have friends who don't celebrate Christmas, and it's too costly to buy different packs of cards for each situation. Now that I can send e-cards, however, I can click on my Christian friends and send them a Christmas card. I can click on my Jewish friends and send them a Chanukah card. I can click on my Pagan friends and send them a Yule card. I can click on my non-religious friends and send them a winter card. Etc., etc.

And all I mean to say is, "I hope you're happy right now. Here are some cards to show I'm thinking of you all as individuals with unique lives. You're not just names on a list whose holidays I can't be bothered to remember. You're my friends and family, and I'd like to wish you a nice season."

Here's one of my favorite e-card sites. It doesn't have much variety in the holidays (just Christmas and winter -- you can write your own message in), but the cards are simply beautiful and they always put a smile on someone's face. :)

I'm running out of time to go broke before the stores close, so I'd better bring this to an end. ;)

To everyone out there, Happy Holidays. :) I hope you spend the cold season being warm with your loved ones.

Remember, last-minute e-gifts are life-savers, and you can even give money to a charity in someone's name! I've given and received presents this way, and it's always uplifting (not to mention, it takes about two minutes in the comfort of your home!). My favorite this year is Oxfam International.

Good luck! Be safe! Be warm! Be happy! :)