It’s that time of year again where all we hear is “Merry Christmas” hollered at us wherever we go. Whether it’s leaving a store, a restaurant, the nail salon, the phrase is almost everywhere. But let’s not forget: Who’s to say that everyone celebrates Christmas?

With Christmas being commercialized, it’s on most people’s mind at all times, but what should be on everyone’s mind is that not everyone celebrates the holiday. It’s understandable that during the holiday season most people are in an uplifting spirit, but saying “Happy Holidays” is equally as effective.

Late November to mid- January is a period that’s gotten the title of “holiday season.” There’s of course the classics like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s, plus the number of additional festive events.

There should be an understanding that many may take offense to “Merry Christmas.”

“It’s complicated and I never know what to wish someone since everyone is different,” senior Brian Kendall said.

“In this day in age everyone gets offended by things so we should avoid that,” senior Jenna Sperduto said. “Plus there’s a lot of people who don’t celebrate Christmas in this school.”

This season is already full of stress with the food, parties, presents, planning and never ending tasks. Why not reduce the stress and stick with “Happy Holidays” and keep the season happy, or all?

With this generation many people are less concerned with their religious identity. Religion has become something to celebrate holidays and get presents from friends and family.

For most teenagers, whether they hear Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or Happy Holidays, it doesn’t matter. To some, particularly older generations who may be more religiously active, hearing the “wrong” faith’s greeting can be off putting.

It clearly is no one’s intention to be offensive when wishing a Merry Christmas but it is not the right thing to do. Christmas is not the only holiday to exist this time of year. Yes, it’s a friendly gesture but something more simple works just as well.

“My neighbors and my family exchange gifts around the holiday season, we never want to offend one another so we stick with more generic holiday gifts,” senior Jayden Coldon said.

Rule of thumb: to make it easy, stick with “Happy Holidays” or even something more simple like “Season’s Greetings.”