I grew up saying “Merry Christmas,” even though nobody in our family was an actual practicing Christian, and it is still my most comfortable greeting for this time of year. For us, for me, anyway, Christmas is a secular holiday to celebrate the return of the Light, the return of the promise of renewal that, first, the New Year, then Spring, which is now just around the corner – Coastal California, at least – gives us.

If, however, you would prefer Happy Bodhi Day, Happy Hanukkah, or Happy Yalda Night, then “Happy Bodhi Day”, “Happy Hanukkah”, or “Happy Yalda Night”. If you prefer Happy Holidays, then “Happy Holidays”.