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found a set that uses this term in lieu of Christmas. Love the set but cringe at this term. Is it offensive or ok because "X" means Christ in greek or am I making that up from some internet voodoo??
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I grew up with parents who marked our boxes of ornaments and stuff with "Xmas" and never thought anything of it. As an adult, however, several friends have told me that it is offensive because you are "X-ing" out Christmas and you should not be "x-ing" out his name. So with that in mind, I don't use xmas anymore. If I need to shorten it for personal notes, I now write Cmas.
The thing is, historically it's a valid abbreviation and the X isn't trying to X out Christ's name and a lot of people know that - but a lot of people also choose to be offended by it. Since you can't really know if the people you are sending the card to are among the "choose to be offended" group, it's probably best to avoid using that stamp.
(For the record, I choose not to be offended by any of the supposed war on Christmas. I think if the cashier says "Happy Holidays", that's a good thing - because they are including every religion that celebrates all the holidays around that time. And inclusion is better than exclusion. But that's just me.)
I firmly believe in Christmas, and I say Merry Christmas all the time in December. I am the one who refuses to call the school break "winter break." It's NOT a winter break, people, it is CHRISTMAS break. I love people who say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and even HAVE A GREAT DAY! Just be happy, people!!
I prefer not to use the X and I like Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I used to always give a co-worker a Hanukah card and he was also so appreciative because no one else ever acknowledged his holiday time.
I'd never make a card or buy a stamp with the X in it.
I never use the x in it, simply feel I need to personally keep Christ as part of it. I don't get offended by anyone who uses it, I just can't. I do make a Hanukkah card for a jewish friend who says I'm the only one who remembers her holidays.
However although I am an atheist, I have many fundamental conservative Christian friends. Either they don't understand the history of the "X" or they have bought in to the movement to be offended. So for them I say Merry Christmas (for respect of their beliefs, not mine). For everyone else, I tend to say Happy Holidays or Winter Wishes as being much, much more inclusive. I have good friends that are Buddhists and Sikhs, and I don't want to exclude them.
I use Xmas to mark storage boxes, etc, but always use Merry Christmas on cards, gift tags etc. Prefer it to Happy Holidays. But most of the complaining seems like a tempest in a teapot!
I'm not offended by "Xmas" or "Happy Holidays," "Season's Greetings," or anything like that. I do have a problem with "Holiday tree," though. It's a Christmas tree. But I just can't wrap my brain around "Winter Wishes." I don't know what to make of it. I'm not offended by it; I'm just puzzled by it.
I grew up with parents who marked our boxes of ornaments and stuff with "Xmas" and never thought anything of it. As an adult, however, several friends have told me that it is offensive because you are "X-ing" out Christmas and you should not be "x-ing" out his name. So with that in mind, I don't use xmas anymore. If I need to shorten it for personal notes, I now write Cmas.
I do as well! I write C'mas for my own purposes, lists or what have you, and the full Merry Christmas otherwise. I LOVE Christmas and it is worth my time and effort to use that greeting.
I am not offended by others who write Xmas, I just don`t.
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It doesn't offend me in any way and I'm a Christian. Personally, after a church service or Sunday school class or something (I don't even remember now, lol), I told myself I would always write out the whole word. I don't think I've used it since but I could have and not even caught it :-) But, it's just for me so it doesn't bother me at all to see it. I also don't get offended by other sayings such as Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings. I use them all as I have non-believing friends and friends of other religions as well as I don't see anything in general wrong with them all. To me, they really all mean the same thing....enjoy the season however you see fit. I think a lot of people chose to get offended about all kinds of stuff that really isn't a big deal...life is what you make of it ;-)
Personally, no I'm not offended by it. Then again, I'm not in the slightest bit religious. However, I would not use it on cards to a lot of people I know as I know they could be offended. I do think it would be perfect for sending to many of the younger generation though. I know people who are offended by Seasons Greetings, yet that is actually a traditional Victorian Christmas message. Like Jeanette, I loathe 'Holiday Tree', it's not a Holiday Tree, its a Christmas tree. Things like this always put me in mind of George Orwells 1984, and 'New Speak'.
Loved the links about the origin of Xmas. I always thought it was just a lazy way of writing Christmas. I always preferred using Christmas because I think Xmas is ugly, but I never thought it was worth getting offended over. Even if Xmas had no religious origin and it was merely a modern thing, it's not an issue for me. It does not take the Christ out of Christmas. No matter what people label it, it's a celebration of the birth of Jesus for my family and that will never be taken away. As far as non-believers go, I am more than happy to share Christmas with them because it still gives them a time to pause and think about peace, kindness and compassion for others. This is the message I will continue to pass along to them whether I wish them joy and happiness using Christmas, Season Greetings, Warm Winter Wishes, or any other similar Sentiment. I still won't use Xmas though!;) Some people make a full time job out of getting offended and putting negativity out into the world, and as a christian, this is not the way I want to represent.
I'm not offended by "Xmas" or "Happy Holidays," "Season's Greetings," or anything like that. I do have a problem with "Holiday tree," though. It's a Christmas tree. But I just can't wrap my brain around "Winter Wishes." I don't know what to make of it. I'm not offended by it; I'm just puzzled by it.
I can't imagine saying it in greeting. LOL But on a card, I think it encompasses the whole season - which is winter for the northern hemisphere. Then there are also those who celebrate the winter solstice, so it it would encompass that.
Quote:
I firmly believe in Christmas, and I say Merry Christmas all the time in December. I am the one who refuses to call the school break "winter break." It's NOT a winter break, people, it is CHRISTMAS break. I love people who say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and even HAVE A GREAT DAY! Just be happy, people!!
We have our winter break in February. It's 'holiday break' for us. Which is a perfectly acceptable term because it is the holidays, including New Year's. ;)
I prefer to wish people a happy holiday if I'm out and about because maybe they enjoy the holidays but don't necessarily celebrate them. Or at least, I hope they will enjoy the holiday even if they don't celebrate them.
Sometimes I feel those who are 'supposed' to be the most tolerant end up being the least. ;)
I wouldn't find it especially offensive – I agree with the posters here. I think it also depends on the vibe of the other stamps you're using with it. Cute or cartoon-style stamps or charming hand drawings would seem to match that casual word more so than a solemn nature scene.
can you use anther "christmas" stamp w/the other stamps.
as for being offened-I don't like or would I would never stamp the word
I just don't use slang.
yes, I intend (after reading this) to substitute a different sentiment. I think there is a consensus that there are folks out there who would not like such a card and that's enough for me!
__________________ Dear Paperlicious is my blog...with a series on how I'm learning to improve my cardmaking by studying others.
Decorating with evergreen cuttings (not a whole tree that was cut down, as that would be destroying nature) goes back much farther than Christianity. In fact, some Christians (some rather well known) have been against "Christmas" trees because the tradition is from "heathens." Calling it a Holiday Tree isn't a bad idea, all things considered.
There are many holidays that take place in the winter (and at least one that I know of is older than Christianity). "Happy Holidays" is inclusive instead of exclusive, and it really makes me shake my head when people get insulted by its use. What can possibly be offensive about trying to include as many people as possible when wishing good tidings?
Our winter break is called Winter Break because it occurs in the winter and not everyone celebrates Christmas during the time off. Likewise, our spring break is called Spring Break because not everyone celebrates Easter during the time off.
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It would never have occurred to me that people might be offended. It is common use in Australia, especially in advertising and events. I hope I have never written anything here at SCS that has caused offence. I apologise if I have!!!
I no longer fall of the couch when I read the word 'fanny' ......here in Australia it is a very rude word for you 'front downstairs lady bits'. Have a great day everyone.
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It would never have occurred to me that people might be offended. It is common use in Australia, especially in advertising and events. I hope I have never written anything here at SCS that has caused offence. I apologise if I have!!!
I no longer fall of the couch when I read the word 'fanny' ......here in Australia it is a very rude word for you 'front downstairs lady bits'. Have a great day everyone.
Personally, it doesn't offend me at all. As Susie already said, it is commonplace in Australia to use XMAS. But I have also been preached at when I have used it because I'm a Christian & that I am taking Christ out of Christmas - however I don't view it that way at all. My mother used to get very offended if someone wrote on a Christmas card to her "Merry Christmas" because her interpretation of "merry" is to get drunk. I guess, each to their own, and if you know someone is a Christian, I wouldn't use Xmas on a card to them in case they are offended.
There will always be people who will find something to be offended by, regardless of "political correctness" or incorrectness, belief, affiliation, intent - whatever! Playing devil's advocate here: Many people (including many Christians) believe that Christ was actually born in the spring, but the celebration was moved to coincide with/incorporate pagan holidays (Winter Solstice - which is also where the evergreen decorating came from) to make the transition/conversion to Christianity easier for them. In my mind, that makes Holiday Tree perfectly acceptable, because the Christians didn't exactly invent it, anyway - just adopted the idea and expanded it.
I was raised very, very Christian and very, very conservative but I still get my dander up at the current brouhaha that "Christians" are making in the political arena. Just as Christians don't want their traditions and holidays and beliefs trampled on or disregarded, neither do the other bizillion religions in the world (and in the United States)! Forcing the issue of "Merry Christmas" over other holiday greetings is ridiculous - wishing someone well can be done improperly? really? Everyone needs to get over themselves and just celebrate the season for whatever reason makes them personally happy. If it floats their boat to call it a Holiday Tree or Winter Break or write Xmas or anything else, how much does it harm anyone, really? Nobody's bleeding, nobody's going to jail, nobody's missing out on anything...
I have a friend who is a die-hard atheist and she goes all-out for Christmas more than anyone I know, wishes everyone "Merry Christmas" and doesn't think a thing of it - it's tradition, not hard-core religious belief, that motivates her, and she is loving and generous and kind and AWESOME! We need more of her kind in the world...
Having said all of that, I will also say this: it pays to know your audience. If you know someone would be offended - by ANYthing, not just Xmas - then you wouldn't send it to them, anyway. If you're not sure, err on the side of safety. To your original point, Joan - I would buy the set, use that stamp for people you're pretty sure will take it in stride, avoid it for the others, and enjoy the whole shebang! Okay - I'm shutting up now...
All our holiday decorations, ornaments, etc. were stored in boxes marked XMAS too. It's fine for shorthand, but I don't care for it in other situations. I would not shorten other greetings like Happy E, Happy H, etc. I'm not crazy about HB or HB2U either.
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Originally Posted by susie australia
It would never have occurred to me that people might be offended. It is common use in Australia, especially in advertising and events. I hope I have never written anything here at SCS that has caused offence. I apologise if I have!!!
I no longer fall of the couch when I read the word 'fanny' ......here in Australia it is a very rude word for you 'front downstairs lady bits'. Have a great day everyone.
Oh my! I had no idea that meant that down under so to speak!:eek: My childhood dog was named Fanny LOL!!!!!!
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Originally Posted by gregzgurl
There will always be people who will find something to be offended by, regardless of "political correctness" or incorrectness, belief, affiliation, intent - whatever! Playing devil's advocate here: Many people (including many Christians) believe that Christ was actually born in the spring, but the celebration was moved to coincide with/incorporate pagan holidays (Winter Solstice - which is also where the evergreen decorating came from) to make the transition/conversion to Christianity easier for them. In my mind, that makes Holiday Tree perfectly acceptable, because the Christians didn't exactly invent it, anyway - just adopted the idea and expanded it.
I was raised very, very Christian and very, very conservative but I still get my dander up at the current brouhaha that "Christians" are making in the political arena. Just as Christians don't want their traditions and holidays and beliefs trampled on or disregarded, neither do the other bizillion religions in the world (and in the United States)! Forcing the issue of "Merry Christmas" over other holiday greetings is ridiculous - wishing someone well can be done improperly? really? Everyone needs to get over themselves and just celebrate the season for whatever reason makes them personally happy. If it floats their boat to call it a Holiday Tree or Winter Break or write Xmas or anything else, how much does it harm anyone, really? Nobody's bleeding, nobody's going to jail, nobody's missing out on anything...
I have a friend who is a die-hard atheist and she goes all-out for Christmas more than anyone I know, wishes everyone "Merry Christmas" and doesn't think a thing of it - it's tradition, not hard-core religious belief, that motivates her, and she is loving and generous and kind and AWESOME! We need more of her kind in the world...
Having said all of that, I will also say this: it pays to know your audience. If you know someone would be offended - by ANYthing, not just Xmas - then you wouldn't send it to them, anyway. If you're not sure, err on the side of safety. To your original point, Joan - I would buy the set, use that stamp for people you're pretty sure will take it in stride, avoid it for the others, and enjoy the whole shebang! Okay - I'm shutting up now...
This...just this. We all need to do OUR thing and quit worrying about everyone else doing their thing! Just be HAPPY and NICE people :-)
I guess I didn't address the issue of it on cards. I don't think I'd use it since like I said, personally I decided not to use it a long time ago. Again, that's JUST for me. Will I be upset if Ian write it? Nope. Also, I do know that there's a chance someone would be offended and it's never my intention to offend anyone (again, people should be way less sensitive and roll with the punches but whatever....). Would I be offended if I got a card that said it or happy holidays or winter wishes or anything else in the way of a kind greeting, no way! Some people take life way too seriously.
Our winter break is called Winter Break because it occurs in the winter and not everyone celebrates Christmas during the time off. Likewise, our spring break is called Spring Break because not everyone celebrates Easter during the time off.
As I mentioned, our winter break is in February. So we wouldn't call it that anyway. Or it'd be winter break 2 for the second one. LOL Our spring break is pretty much never coinciding with Easter so it would never be called Easter break. It's always at the end of April. We don't get any holiday time for Easter here.
Gregzgurl - I've heard spring as one but also that it may have been, and more likely, fall. Or even summer. The only thing that is certain is that it was NOT winter. LOL
Is "XMAS" offensive?
