Absolutely!! Christmas began the 25 and goes until the 13th of January!!!

Well, I wish Merry Christmas well before the 25th, too, so I think if you're feeling the season, there's no reason to not wish it on others who celebrate it.

Of course you can. For those who are Greek or Russian Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on January 7th and extends into sunset on January 18th.

I change to Happy New Year, after the 26th... :)

Why the 13th of January, arcy?

I think Happy Holidays is good.

Yes! But now it starts morphing. A says Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, and B replies with Happy New Year. By the 30th, it’s all Happy New Year.

I say when the clock strikes 12 on Christmas night, you’ve officially entered “Happy New Year!” territory. So, Happy New Year, everyone! ;)

I just watched a special on the 12 days of Christmas during the Tudor reign. I learned a lot of things I didn't know. The 4 weeks of Advent before Christmas day were very dreary and no meat or dairy could be consumed. But on Christmas Day the celebrating began and lasted for 12 days, during which time there was supposed to be no working, only eating, drinking, playing games, giving and getting gifts. But I have a feeling the poor peasants were still toiling to scrape by or serve the King and his court, I mean I don't think they were preparing their own meals and emptying out their own chamber-pots.

Anyway whatever one says after the 25th is OK with me, it's the thought that counts. I usually start wishing one a happy new year after the 25th myself.

rita, that's what it was like when I was growing up. We seldom put up the tree before xmas eve day...the time before was subdued and full of anticipation.

Of course retail has changed all that so now in craft stores xmas starts in July.

The Roman Catholic Church pretty much started this Christmas thing. It's to be celebrated from the Birth of Christ until we celebrate His Baptism on the 12th. I erred with the 13th--The priest during Christmas Mass reminded us to "CELEBRATE until the '13', I think it is", he said. He was off a day!! LOL so that is what we consider the Christmas season. Creche's should remain until for sure Epiphany on the 6th when we venerate the coming of the Magi.

I say ‘Happy Holidays’ before 25th, through to 31st. Then it’s ‘happy new year’ from 1st January.

I guess you could.

Honestly, I'm "Christmased" out by the 26th. By then, I've heard music from Halloween forward, seen commercials for the movies (which now run all year long? Why?), seen the movies, eaten the food, seen decorations, ads... I'm ready for it to end. I take it all down and turn it all off by then. For some reason, people want it longer and longer every year. And I am not even a grump about it. I love it. Go figure.

I tend to say Happy Holidays through the whole holiday season. There's multiple holidays going on in December.

I usually say something like hope you had a nice Christmas or similar but don't say MC after Xmas. I tend to be more of a "forward" looking person so I tend to go to Happy New Year until maybe a week or so max after NYD. Back when I was in retail it was "happy holidays" from about Labor Day through New Year! That way it offended less but way more importantly, I didn't have to keep track of which holiday we were at. In retail, they all run together into one big blur!