have you ever wondered?

[ocean]

The other day I was helping serve thanksgiving dinner at a homeless shelter, and I was saying happy Thanksgiving to the people. Then I started to wonder why do we say happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas instead of Merry Thanksgiving and Happy Christmas? Anybody else wondered this?

[CAMPFRIEND]

That's a new one for me. I have heard some of my campers say it like that. You have to love kids.

[Dave]

I've never really thought about it. I guess since just about everyone says it the same way, saying it the other way just doesn't sound right.

[speedx5xracer]

its hard to go against what is commonly said since it is usually inscribed in us since we are young so i say keep them as they are.

[who_stole_my_loofa]

in Harry Potter- I think the first movie I don't remember for sure. Someone says "Happy Christmas" to Harry. lol

[Kerrbear]

It's just a custom we've come to adapt in the North American society. If you look at older books and/or plays especially those in Europe, they all say Happy Christmas...

[Skater Bubbles]

Ya in the U.S. that's just the way we say it because we grew up that way but iin other countries like England they say things like Happy Chrsitmas. And yes, Loofa in Harry Potter and The Sorcerers Stone Heromine says "Happy Christmas" to Harry before she leaves Hogwarts for the holidays.

[ocean]

Hmm I wonder why we chose to say merry christmas then? I guess we're just special then

[rockinsmiles]

Yeah i have wondered why we say "merry" instead of "happy" for christmas. i mean its the only holiday/celebration we say merry in...i wonder where it comes from...

[CAMPFRIEND]

We have to be different!! We live in the USA..

[collissimon]

I say Happy Christmas... but then I don't say Happy Thanksgiving!

[Skater Bubbles]

Collissimon- What do you say for Thanksgiving?

[camper]

correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't thanksgiving an american holiday, which means that collissimon wouldn't celebrate it? do you guys have a similar day over there collissimon or am i wrong and you do celebrate thanksgiving?

[collissimon]

I don't celebrate Thanksgiving (as it was us that lost!) but we do have Bonfire Night on November 5th. On November 5th in 1606 (I think!) a plot was uncovered to blow up the Houses of Parliament on it's State Opening (which is when the King opens up Parliament: if it had succeeded we would have lost our Monarch and all of the Lords etc. who make up our Parliament).

13 Catholics had plotted to do it, as the King was Protestant and if a success they could have replaced him with one of his Catholic relatives. The plotters were hung, till near death, then tied to four horses till they were all 'drawn' out, and finally quartered, all whilst still alive.

To celebrate the fact that they failed, we have a massive bonfire with a Guy effigy (Guy Fawkes was the one caught in the basement with the barrels of gunpowder), and fireworks. Nowadays we usually have a funfair, candyfloss (cotton candy), toffee apples etc.

Sorry that was a bit drawn out, nothing like a bit of Brit trivia first thing in the morning!

[camper]

yum, cotton candy and toffee apples. i want to celebrate your holiday, collissimon! forget about turkey..lol just kidding!

[Skater Bubbles]

Wow, interseting! It is cool to learn about other people's holidays!!

[CAMPFRIEND]

I learn somthing new every day.

Thank You Collissimon!

[collissimon]

That's not a problem! :twothumbs

Does that mean you have turkey for Thanksgiving and then turkey again for Christmas?

[rockinsmiles]

Not really...i think a lot of people have ham at x-mas...then again my whole family seems to go against "tradition" so maybe im not the one to answer. And im not a big turkey fan so it aint like im eatin much of it!

[collissimon]

Interesting... I suppose it's the same for you guys with Thanksgiving, as it is for us and Boxing Day. Do you celebrate Boxing Day?

[ocean]

For my family we have ham and turkey on Thanksgiving and Christmas

[camper]

no, i don't think americans celebrate boxing day (but if it has to do w/christmas, i might not know b/c i'm jewish lol) but i've heard of that day before.

[CAMPFRIEND]

Interesting... I suppose it's the same for you guys with Thanksgiving, as it is for us and Boxing Day. Do you celebrate Boxing Day?

Ok so what is Boxing day I see it on the calender every year.:confused:

[Dave]

I've wondered that too. What is Boxing Day?

[rockinsmiles]

I think it has something to do with sending packages and people "boxing" them. i use to know...i feel bad that i dont remember! ack! we dont seem to have many holidays compared to other countries though. I mean ones that are unique to america except for thanksgiving.

[code3cadet]

Happy thanks giving was told because the pilgrims are happy to have food to eat. Merry Christmas is a englesh cary over. Christmas is sort for Christ mas

[collissimon]

Boxing Day, or St Stephens Day, I think started in Victorian times, along with Christmas trees etc. 25th was always a family day, and 26th was a Bank Holiday, when your employers would come round with a Christmas Box for your family, and would be another day of eating and good tidings etc. etc.

There's more info on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxing_Day from which I've shamelessly nabbed most my info :D

[CAMPFRIEND]

Thank you for telling us more info. I would have never thought! I love to learn new things!

[collissimon]

No Probs! To be honest, it's now just an opportunity for people to have an extra day off! It's a turkey sandwich day!

[CAMPFRIEND]

I love the extra days off. I never get them, I have to work. I joys of running a camp program all year!

[collissimon]

You poor thing! Turkey sarnies rule!

[CAMPFRIEND]

I know. Ifeel so bad for me..But It's my life..