Business E-mails: Merry Christmas… or not?

December 25th became an official Federal holiday in 1870 when it was signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant. Americans have been officially “Merry Christmasing” for 140 years.

A Rasmussen poll taken last year on December 7th (Americans Like ‘Merry Christmas’ More But Say It Less) starts out by stating:

“Very few Americans are offended when someone wishes them a ‘Merry Christmas,’ but most are more likely to say ‘Happy Holidays’ to someone else and not risk offending them.”

and reflects:

• 92% of American adults celebrate Christmas in their family. Just six percent (6%) do not.
• Of the small percentage who don’t celebrate Christmas, 84% of them would not be offended if a casual acquaintance wished them a Merry Christmas.

So, with the above in mind — where exactly is the problem? With all the political correctness going around now-a-days, I find this year more than years past, that many are hesitant to even mention “the Holidays” in their business e-mails.

It is almost as though folks feel safer if they just ignore what is a natural thing to do — wish someone a Merry Christmas. What a shame…

But hold on… Seems a study after Christmas last year showed “Merry Christmas” actually caused more e-mails to be opened than if “Happy Holidays” was in the Subject: field. Very interesting!

If you do not know a business contact’s “Holiday perspective” what do you do? Nothing? Generic greetings? What!? Comment below and let me know your point of view. I am really curious how you feel and if this is a legitimate concern or something ginned up by the politically correct crowd.

We certainly do not want to offend anyone when it comes to our business communications. However, are people really becoming offended or upset by a simple good wish of a Merry Christmas? The survey above doesn’t show that.

All my life I have wished folks in person or in written cards and e-mails “Merry Christmas!” and I continue to do so to this day — including my business e-mails. Not once have my actions been brought to my attention as not appreciated, nor have I alienated or lost a single contact by doing so.

If I know someone’s religion, I do not hesitate to offer them specific greetings of the season. I have had folks even wish me a Happy Hanukkah over the years. I’m not Jewish and I was not offended or nor did i feel uncomfortable with them doing so. They offered me a nice wish with sincerity. What could be wrong with that?

So what do you think about typing Merry Christmas in your business e-mails?

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