A CELEBRATION OF UNITY
The holiday season is approaching quickly! It’s a time to celebrate diverse traditions, express warm wishes, and honor the season’s spirit. But greeting individuals from different cultures and beliefs doesn’t need to be awkward or complicated. We are sharing 29 greetings around the world.
When I say Merry Christmas and you respond with your preferred seasonal greeting—such as Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanzaa—it becomes a beautiful way to exchange traditions and celebrate the season together.
Navigating Holiday Greetings with Respect
Trying too hard to be politically correct often leads to awkward moments. It’s nearly impossible to know everyone’s beliefs. More importantly, staying true to your convictions is a key aspect of respect. Honoring someone else’s position doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your own.
Whether through a verbal greeting or personal holiday cards, your wishes should reflect your beliefs. If Happy Holidays truly resonates with you, use it! However, don’t default to it as a “safe phrase.” An exception might be when a broader greeting, such as in professional or multicultural settings, suits the context.
As the adage says, “Don’t Walk on eggshells.” Be authentic yet flexible. The holiday season is about sharing joy, fostering understanding, and celebrating diversity.
Greetings from Around the World
To further inspire connection, here’s how people around the globe share their holiday cheer:
- Africa (Western Africa): “Happy Kwanzaa”
- Arab: “Eid Mubarak” (representing 22 Arab countries)
- Brazil: “Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo” or “Feliz Natal”
- Canada: “Merry Christmas” or “Joyeux Noel”
- Chinese/ Cantonese: “Gun Tso Sun Tan’Gung Haw Sun” or “Saint Dan Fai Lok”
- Chinese/Mandarin: “Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan”
- Denmark: “God jul”
- France: “Joyeux Noel”
- Germany: “Froehliche Weihnachten”
- Greece: “Kala Christouyenna”
- Hawaii: “Mele Kalikimaka” or “Hauoli Makahiki Hou”
- Hungary: “Boldog karácsonyt” or “Kellemes karácsonyi ünnepeket”
- India (Hindi): “Krisamas kee badhaee”
- Ireland: “Nollaig Shona Dhuit”
- Israel/Hebrew: “Mo’adim Lesimkha Chena Tova”
- Italy: “Buone Feste Natalizie” or “Buon Natale”
- Japan: “Meri Kuri” or “Meri Kurisumasu”
- Jewish Holiday: “Happy Hanukkah”
- Latin America: “Feliz Navidad”
- Native American/Cherokee: “Danistayohihv” or “Aliheli’sdi Itse Udetiyvasadisv”
- Native American/Navajo: “Yáʼátʼééh Késhmish”
- Philippines: “Maligayang Pasko”
- Poland: “Wesołych Świąt”
- Portugal: “Feliz Natal” or “Boas Festas”
- Russia: “Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom”
- Sweden: “God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt Ar”
- Ukraine: “Веселого Різдва’ Veseloho Rizdva”
- United Kingdom: “Happy Christmas” or “Merry Christmas”
- Wales: “Nadolig Llawen”
No matter how you say it, holiday greetings are a universal way to express goodwill. This annual message is our heartfelt tradition for connecting with friends and colleagues worldwide.
A Warm Invitation to Contribute
Did we miss your cultural holiday greeting? Let us know! The invaluable contributions of our global community shape this growing list.
Wishing you all a joyous season,
Merry Christmas,
Gloria Petersen and the Global Protocol Academy Team
