Why Can't We Say Merry Christmas Anymore
In recent years, major retailers, banks, and tech firms have shifted toward generic holiday greetings like Happy Holidays or Season's Greetings instead of Merry Christmas. This change is driven by diversity and inclusion policies aimed at reflecting a multicultural customer base. According to a 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center, about 54% of U.S. adults say they prefer inclusive seasonal greetings in public and commercial settings, while 41% prefer Merry Christmas specifically. Companies such as Target, Walmart, and JPMorgan Chase have updated internal style guides to use neutral language in marketing, customer service, and internal communications. The shift is also reflected in the rise of inclusive branding consultants and diversity training programs that emphasize avoiding assumptions about customers' religious identities. These changes are part of a broader trend in corporate communications where brands seek to avoid alienating non-Christian customers during the December season.
The debate over Merry Christmas often centers on whether inclusive language erases religious tradition or simply acknowledges a pluralistic society. Legal frameworks in the United States, including First Amendment case law, generally protect both religious expression and the right to avoid government-endorsed religion in public institutions. Private companies, however, set their own tone based on brand strategy and customer demographics. For example, Amazon and Apple have historically used Happy Holidays in global advertising campaigns, while smaller businesses may still use Merry Christmas to signal a specific cultural or religious identity. The Federal Trade Commission does not regulate holiday greetings, but the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission provides guidance on workplace holiday practices to prevent discrimination. As a result, many organizations default to neutral greetings to reduce the risk of complaints or public backlash. For more on corporate communication trends, see Forbes coverage of holiday branding strategies here.
Corporate and Retail Shifts in Holiday Messaging
Major Companies That Changed Their Greetings
Several large companies have publicly updated their holiday messaging in recent years. Starbucks, for instance, removed Merry Christmas from its cups and marketing in favor of Happy Holidays in 2015, a move that sparked both praise and criticism. In 2022, Walmart updated its internal communications guidelines to encourage associates to use inclusive language when interacting with customers. Google and Meta have also shifted their official holiday doodles and ad campaigns to feature a range of winter and holiday themes rather than Christmas-specific imagery. These changes are often tied to broader diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that aim to represent customers and employees from various cultural and religious backgrounds. According to a 2024 report by the Harvard Business Review, companies that adopt inclusive seasonal messaging see a measurable increase in brand favorability among younger, urban, and multicultural demographics.
Small and medium-sized businesses face similar pressures, especially those with online storefronts that serve a national or global audience. E-commerce platforms like Shopify provide holiday marketing templates that default to neutral greetings, and many merchants adopt them to avoid alienating international buyers. In the financial sector, banks such as Bank of America and Citigroup have shifted to Season's Greetings in branch signage and email campaigns. The shift is also visible in the airline industry, where companies like Delta and United use Happy Holidays in onboard announcements and marketing materials. These decisions are often based on customer data, brand audits, and sensitivity training programs. For analysis of corporate messaging trends, see this Bloomberg report on inclusive holiday branding here.
Legal, Cultural, and Data-Driven Perspectives
What Surveys and Data Say About Holiday Greetings
Survey data from Pew