Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? It just doesn't seem to matter

Churchgoers in northern Colorado don't seem to mind whether stores wish them a "Merry Christmas" or "Happy holidays" on their advertisements.

While there have been news reports of some churches across the nation directing their congregations to retailers that emphasize "Merry Christmas" over the generic "Happy holidays" greeting, local churches don't seem to be subscribing to the idea.

Becky Kendall, an administrator at Peak Community Church said, despite national attention, the issue is not an issue at all.

"To me it doesn't matter," she said. "Christmas isn't about that, it's about the celebration of Jesus' birth. And you don't have to do that in Wal-Mart. It's too much of an issue. Christmas has become so commercialized. Stores can decorate however they want."

Hans Brewer, a pastor at Vineyard Church, agreed.

"We are ignoring the whole thing because it's irrelevant to us," Brewer said. "We are not telling people one way or other because its not something that is a big deal to us. We are more concerned with people loving other people no matter where they are."

According to a study conducted by Rasmussen Reports, 67 percent of American adults prefer stores to use the phrase "Merry Christmas" in their seasonal advertising rather than "Happy holidays." In the national telephone survey, the Rasmussen Reports poll found that just 26 percent prefer "Happy holidays."

From a politically partisan perspective, the survey found 88 percent of Republicans prefer "Merry Christmas" while just 57 percent of Democrats favor the saying.

Area retailers known to promote "Happy holidays" include Wal-Mart and Lowe's. In the past, outcry from shoppers has forced some stores to change their marketing to more heavily promote Christmas shopping.

Shoppers of Perennial Gardener in Old Town are welcomed with a "Merry Christmas" sign. Ellen Zibell, owner of the store, said it's not what you say, but how you say it.

She said shoppers just want to be greeted in a festive manner, whether that be with a "Merry Christmas" or "Happy holidays."

"It's been my experience that when you speak to people from the heart, they will do the same back," Zibell said.