Happy Holidays Green and White

Green text outlined in black on a white background

The phrase “happy holidays” is a festive greeting typically used during the winter season. It has been a part of the United States vernacular from as early as the mid-1800s. The phrase was initially used in advertisements and was later embraced as a catch-all phrase for all winter holidays as a way to respect different religious faiths. Controversy has surrounded the phrase starting in the early 21st century as the conservative news outlets led some American Christian conservatives to believe that “happy holidays” was employed by a liberal campaign to censor Christianity and the Christmas holiday. Another way to say “happy holidays” is “season’s greetings.”