L' Eomot Inversé (1/3/2012)
marlon.seton (1/3/2012)
Yes, here in the UK, it's turkey for Xmas and Happy Christmas, not Happy Holidays.Well, that shows as much cultural bias (but towards one culture of the UK) as did the QotD and answer (towards United states culture).
There in the UK it is presumably as you describe; but I would be greatly surprised if " Happy Christmas" were as common amongst the UK's English speakers as is "Merry Christmas" (and the tendency to combine good wishes for Christmas with those for new year pushes things to wards "merry") so perhaps "there" is quite a small area?
Elsewhere in the UK it is salmon for Christmas and Nollaig Chridheil not Happy Christmas; or it's Nollaig Shona or Nadolig Llawen, or something else (I don't speak all the UK's indigenous languages) - please remember that the UK is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Island, not the United Kingdom of England and nowhere else, and has 5 living indigenous languages not just one, and that some parts of the UK have substantial cultural differences from other parts.
Anyway, Happy New Year, Bliadhna Mhath Ur, Athbliain faoi Mhaise, Blwyddyn Newydd Dda, or whatever.
Yes, indeed, Merry Christmas, not Happy Christmas; it was the "Happy" in Happy Holidays what tricked me, guv'nor, 'onest it was.
Just out of interest, what are the five living indigenous languages? I can think of English, Welsh, Gaelic and Scots. Are you counting Cornish? I thought that was officially dead.