In order to be more inclusive, most businesses have adopted the universal “Happy Holidays” greeting for their corporate gifts in the winter season. It’s safe, inclusive, and, most agree, inoffensive. We’ve received questions through the years asking if it’s always best to go with this winter greeting. The answer is: No, not always.
While “Happy Holidays” is inclusive, it’s also not specific, which is kind of the point, right? By being more generic, it can cover all people, no matter which holidays they celebrate. That said, it’s a lost opportunity for a personal touch. And in the days of automation, mass mailing, and digital overload, we are all looking for those personal connections.
As far as we know, no one who celebrates Christmas is offended when they receive a Christmas card. The same goes for other winter holidays. If you celebrate Hannukah, you’re not going to be offended if you get a Happy Hanukkah card. In fact, by getting a card specific to the holiday you celebrate, the accompanying gift can feel more meaningful.
Let’s dive a little deeper. If a person celebrates Christmas, they are in the mainstream. According to Statista, approximately 85% of Americans celebrate this holiday that has its roots in the Christian faith. If a person grew up celebrating Christmas, they were likely surrounded by Christmas trees, wreaths, and Santa. Getting a Christmas card brings warm feelings and enhances the joy of the holiday.
For those celebrating less mainstream holidays, it takes a special effort to find and send holiday-specific cards. This effort will be noted by the person receiving the card. When you send a “Happy Hanukkah” card to a person who celebrates Hanukkah, it’s special. It stands out among the crowd and it’s likely to end up on the refrigerator.
In addition to adding a personal element to the card, if you and the recipient celebrate the same winter holidays, a holiday-specific card can emphasize your connection, thus deepening your relationship.
We’ve talked about what doesn’t offend a gift recipient. But it’s important to note what can offend someone: assumptions. Sending a Christmas card, assuming that everyone celebrates the same holiday as you, can offend someone who celebrates Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or another winter holiday. So, if you aren’t sure, Happy Holidays is an appropriate card for all the reasons we mentioned in the introduction.
Many businesses also don’t want to affiliate with a particular holiday, for fear that this may communicate their company aligns with a particular religion or belief. When customers are looking for ways to personalize our luxury branded corporate gifts, without muddling their corporate stance with a personal greeting, we recommend doing this with a holiday-specific card. We do not recommend adding a company logo with a Christmas tree or Hanukkah Menorah. This could create confusion.
However, the message in a card is always best when personalized, and getting a holiday-specific card is a great way to make sure your corporate stance stays separate from the personal acknowledgement of the recipient’s holiday.
In short, if you know the holiday your recipient celebrates, you’re more likely to wow them with a holiday-specific card. But if you don’t know the winter holiday they celebrate, “Happy Holidays” is the way to go.
Have you ever tried sending out holiday-specific cards during the holidays? How was it received?
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