Holiday Party vs. Christmas Party
Why Can’t We Call it Christmas Anymore?
Your questions answered.
In the name of all-inclusiveness, or, as some would say, unnecessary political correctness, most companies are requiring that all winter parties be called “Holiday Parties,” instead of “Christmas Parties.” A number of Christians call this unfair and ludicrous. Here are some responses to common arguments.
Most of us celebrate Christmas! Why do we have to pander to the minority?
It’s not pandering if you really mean it.
Isn’t this unnecessarily PC?
Political correctness for its own sake is pointless. The idea is to be open-minded to the traditions of others, and allow that not everyone must be alike. It’s not about hollow buzz-words; it’s about being all-inclusive, and considerate.
Why must it be about them? Lots of things in the world aren’t convenient for everyone.
Certainly, but some things are simply inconvenient, other things are about convictions.
But it’s not even about Christ anymore. This is an American tradition!
If that’s true, what do you care what it’s called?
I worry about these non-believers, and the state of their souls.
If that is truly the case, this is a problem that would vex you year-round, not just when it’s inconvenient for you. In general, it’s inappropriate to broach subjects of faith on company time. If you’d truly like to discuss beliefs with co-workers, invite them to speak about it outside of work. If they decline, leave the subject alone and agree to disagree.
Besides, you choose your faith. It’s not like we’re discriminating about something they can’t change, like gender or race. If they don’t want to be left out, they should just celebrate Christmas like the rest of us.
That’s a dangerously extremist position. People are born into families and traditions of their own—expecting them to adapt to popular religion is narrow-minded. Plus, if they only believed in Christ so they could be included in a populist holiday, would that really count as true faith?
This is America. I have free speech. I’m going to call it Christmas, anyway.
That’s absolutely your right. But don’t mistake convictions about semantics as convictions about faith. It’s about courtesy, not faith. In the workplace, it’s important to be kind, polite, and open-minded in all circumstances. Choosing to be stubborn indicates an unwillingness to work with other ideas, period. It rubs people the wrong way not because they expect you to be the same as them, but because they want the freedom to be different.
Americans are guaranteed freedom of religion. That includes Christians, too. In the workplace, it’s best to err on the side of caution and include all faiths (and even atheists) to join in the annual winter party.
