Happy/Merry Christmas vs a happy/merry Christmas

[Tan Elaine]

I wish you a happy/merry Christmas.
I wish you 'Happy/Merry Christmas'.

Is the above correct in both Br and AmE?

Many thanks.

[Searching for language]

correct, possibly, but more common is Happy/British, Merry/US/Canada

[abaka]

I'm not sure, but in case you're communicating with North America, be careful with that phrase! In a business setting, "Happy Holidays" is almost standard, in order to avoid any religious issues. Some people (individuals, not company representatives) who are devout Christians or merely traditional, however, take offense at "Happy Holidays" and want the "Merry Christmas" greeting. Once again, you may want to be careful.

PS. Shortly after the New Year, the Christmas greeting is dropped, but it's still acceptable to wish for a "Happy New Year".

[bhaisahab]

correct, possibly, but more common is Happy/British, Merry/US/Canada

I beg to differ my friend, in BrE 'A Merry Christmas and A Happy new year' is the usual greeting.

[Tan Elaine]

Thanks, Bhaisahab

Your reply: I beg to differ my friend, in BrE 'A Merry Christmas and A Happy new year' is the usual greeting.

I would like to clarify and I hope you don't mind.

1. I wish you a happy/merry Christmas.
2. I wish you 'Happy/Merry Christmas'.

Does 'a' affect the punctuation? In sentence 1, 'a' is included in the greeting, and 'happy' and 'merry' are not in upper case. However, your reply has 'new year' in lower case.

Where I live for the greeting 'A Happy New Year', 'New Year' is capitalised. Is it wrong?

In 2, there's no 'a', so they should be in upper case, I believe.

To be honest, I am in a maze and confused.

I look forward to your response.

Many thanks in advance.

[Searching for language]

I beg to differ my friend, in BrE 'A Merry Christmas and A Happy new year' is the usual greeting.

Well, my British friend told me that it is Happy Christmas, but I have never been there.

As for the concern about offending someone by saying Merry Christmas etc. etc. I am sooooooo tired of having to be so politically correct about everything. And, I will keep on wishing people a Merry Christmas, and not Happy Holidays. If they want to be offended, so be it.

[abaka]

Ah, I thought you might take exception to that!

I just wanted to point out that for business mail "Happy Holidays" is more usual.

[Searching for language]

Only in Canada do we need to worry every single day about whom we have offended. And, I am becoming offended by it!

[abaka]

Only in Canada do we need to worry every single day about whom we have offended. And, I am becoming offended by it!

Well, then, only in Canada: I'm sor-ry!

[Tan Elaine]

[QUOTE=Tan Elaine;424932]

Could any other member help me by guiding on the following posted earlier,but not addressed fully.

1. I wish you a happy/merry Christmas.
2. I wish you 'Happy/Merry Christmas'.

Does 'a' affect the punctuation? In sentence 1, 'a' is included in the greeting, and 'happy' and 'merry' are not in upper case. However, your reply has 'new year' in lower case.

Where I live for the greeting 'A Happy New Year', 'New Year' is capitalised. Is it wrong?

In 2, there's no 'a', so they should be in upper case, I believe.

To be honest, I am in a maze and confused.

I look forward to your response.

Many thanks in advance.