When I was growing up, we used Happy Holidays even though we were in a very conservative, Christian area. We didn't know any Jewish people, or atheists, for that matter.

My mother had jobs that involved a lot of customer contact in a pretty conservative Christian area. She would say "Happy Holidays" from early November to the end of the year. To bring Thanksgiving into the picture.

Ignore the holidays entirely except to buy Christmas presents for my family?

Well, don't ignore New Year's. Which "Merry Christmas" does.

Do you mean that just in the sense that the celebration of the birth of Christ is being formally linked to shopping?

I'm confused by the word "just" here

Do you mean that just in the sense that the celebration of the birth of Christ is being formally linked to shopping?

I'm confused by the word "just" here

I used it because the link to shopping was the only thing I could think of, and I was wondering if there were other reasons I hadn't thought of, in addition to the Christ = shopping link.

Do you mean that just in the sense that the celebration of the birth of Christ is being formally linked to shopping?

Exactly. Religious Christians used to remind people "not to take the Christ out of Christmas" and remind them of the importance of giving to the less fortunate. The "No Happy Holidays" crowd seems okay with, "Go out and spend money in the name of Christ."

"Happy Pearl Harbor Day"

I've been amazed that this is the first mention of Pearl Harbor Day I've seen/heard so far today. Not even a Google cartoon!

My year end holidaying is generally devoted to the completely arbitrary, but useful notion of renewal as the year turns. Holiday celebrations serve as a boost for the winter blues, and not much else, for me.

Gift giving, sadly, has become something of a defensive maneuver. I tend to gift at will throughout the year, rather on the collective shopping days. But I feel obliged to reciprocate Christmas presents.

I used it because the link to shopping was the only thing I could think of, and I was wondering if there were other reasons I hadn't thought of, in addition to the Christ = shopping link.

I don't think there is. And by boycotting Target for not displaying Christmas paraphanalia, the AFA is implying that "Happy Birthday Jesus" should be associated in the public eye with "Mama needs a new flatscreen TV." I don't think they've really thought it through.

Religious Christians used to remind people "not to take the Christ out of Christmas" and remind them of the importance of giving to the less fortunate. The "No Happy Holidays" crowd seems okay with, "Go out and spend money in the name of Christ."

Okay, that makes sense.

My confusion was in the idea of Christmas even being *able* to become more commercialized in *any* way, b/c it already seems chock-full of commercialization, whether it's under the "Happy Holidays" banner or the "Merry Christmas" flag.

That is, even if fundies are wanting people to associate Jesus with shopping, it seems like they already do, as much as they possibly can.

I've been amazed that this is the first mention of Pearl Harbor Day I've seen/heard so far today. Not even a Google cartoon!

I shudder to think what a Google Pearl Harbor Day cartoon would look like. A burning and sinking Arizona ?

I've been amazed that this is the first mention of Pearl Harbor Day I've seen/heard so far today.

I had to think twice when I noticed the flag at half mast at the fire house this morning.

Be proud of me. This morning I had my first mammogram ever. Yes at 51 a bit late, but I did it. Twas easy. My sister complains about ouchies, but it didn't bother me. Yes, pestering here made me do it finally. So there.

Yes, pestering here made me do it finally. So there

EXCELLENT, Laura! I'm glad it went well for you. Now I need to get on my mom's ass about hers this year.