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MUSCOVITE Posted 14 years ago
Vocabulary

Happy Christmas v Merry Christmas

Hi,

On one hand, my Longman says that "Happy Chrismas" is okay.

On the other hand, I remember reading an English textbook that claimed only the collocation "Merry Christmas" was all right. The "rule" that textbook suggested was as follows: "Happy New Year" but NEVER "Happy Christmas".
What do you (native speakers) think?

thanks in advance!

Mus-te
  

Top answer

Hi I have no problem with 'Happy Christmas' - but I wouldn't use it when wishing a Happy New Year, simply to avoid the repetition of 'happy'. 'Happy Christmas'. 'Merry Christmas'.

— Optilang

  • Hi I have no problem with 'Happy Christmas' - but I wouldn't use it when wishing a Happy New Year, simply to avoid the repetition of 'happy'.
  • 'Happy Christmas'.
  • 'Merry Christmas'.
  • 'Merry Christmas and a happy New Year'.
  • Any of the above work for me.
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3 Answers
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Hi

I have no problem with 'Happy Christmas' - but I wouldn't use it when wishing a Happy New Year, simply to avoid the repetition of 'happy'.

'Happy Christmas'.

'Merry Christmas'.

'Merry Christmas and a happy New Year'.

Any of the above work for me.
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Americans are less likely to say "happy" than "merry" but no one I know would call it wrong to say "happy."
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We wish people Happy Birthday, Happy Easter, Happy Anniversary, Happy Thanksgiving and Happy New Year.
Christmas is special; we wish you a Merry Christmas.

It is just a tradition, there is nothing grammatical going on.
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