How to Say Merry Christmas in Canada
How to Say Merry Christmas in Canada
Canada is an amazing place to visit during the holiday season. With so many wonderful traditions, both new and old, Christmas can be a real feast for the senses. But with this wonderful country being so diverse, many people may be confused about how to say Merry Christmas in Canada.
Does Canada Celebrate Christmas?
Yes. Ever since Canada was settled by the Europeans, there have been celebrations of some sort for Christmas. In fact, the early settlers brought with them a strong Christian influence, which has remained a part of the country’s fabric for centuries.
Celebrated on December 25th, Christmas is a religious festival to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Today, however, Christmas is seen as both a religious and cultural holiday by billions of people worldwide.
In Canada, Christmas Day is a national holiday. This means that schools, government offices, and most businesses are closed on this day.
Many of Canada’s Christmas customs and traditions can be attributed to our diverse cultural background. With influences from the French, English, German, Ukrainian, and First Nations, this blend brings about a great deal of variety in the way Canada as a country celebrates Christmas today.
How Do Canadians Say Merry Christmas?
Just like there are several ways to say Hello in Canada, there are multiple ways of saying “Merry Christmas.” Depending on what part of Canada you are visiting, you will hear different versions of this festive phrase.
During the month of December, the holiday season kicks in, and you will hear many Canadians using the phrase “Merry Christmas” as a type of festive greeting. Of course, “Happy Holidays” and “Seasons Greetings” are also popular and equally acceptable.
Wishing someone a Merry Christmas on December 25th, however, has a slightly different meaning. December 25th is an important part of the Christian calendar, and as such, wishing someone a Merry Christmas on this day has more of a religious connotation.
Many people visiting Canada, especially non-Christians, may not realize that this nuance exists. This is because Christmas in Canada, and many other parts of the world for that matter, is no longer just about religion, but as we already mentioned, it is also about culture and traditions.
How Do You Say Merry Christmas in Quebec?
Of course, one of the biggest differences you will notice when saying Merry Christmas in Canada is when visiting Quebec. As this is Canada’s French-speaking province, the most popular festive greeting you will hear is “Joyeux Noël.”
Less popular holiday greetings include “Meilleurs Voeux” – Season’s Greetings, or “Joyeuses fêtes” – Happy Holidays.
How do Canada’s Indigenous Peoples Say Merry Christmas?
Canada’s rich history and culture include many different First Nations people. And although Christmas is a Christian holiday, we did want to include how some Indigenous people choose to greet people during the festive season.
Mi’kmaw linguist Bernie Francis explains how to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in the Mi’kmaw language in this awesome video.
He explains how the Mi’kmaq people in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick say “Merry Christmas” differently, because of the different influences they had from both the French and the early Christians.
In Nova Scotia, the phrase “Etawey Wli-Nipi-Alasutman” is the Mi’kmaw phrase for “Happy Midnight prayer” and is the interpretation of “Merry Christmas.” This comes from an observation of Christian missionaries during Christmas midnight mass.
In New Brunswick, however, “Wli-Newelewin” is the Mi’kmaw interpretation of the French “Joyeux Noël” or “Merry Christmas.”
Do Canadians Say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays?” – The Great Debate
It used to be that Canadians would always say “Merry Christmas” during the festive season. Growing up, we would start in early December and continue to use the greeting right up until Boxing Day.
Over the last few decades, however, Canada has become far more multicultural. With so many different cultures, different religions, and different holidays, saying “Merry Christmas” has seemingly become politically incorrect.
Nowadays, you will hear many people saying “Happy Holidays,” or even, “Season’s Greetings” instead. But is this really what Canadians want? This question has definitely sparked some heated debates!
According to a survey which was done by Ipsos Reid for Postmedia News and Global Television, 72 percent of Canadians – regardless of their culture, ethnic background or religion – prefer to say “Merry Christmas.” And considering this survey has been taken annually over the last few years, the results don’t seem to change much (with only less than a 1 percent difference).
One interesting point that came out of the Ipsos Reid survey, which makes perfect sense to me, is the fact that the younger generation has grown up hearing “Happy Holidays” and as a result, are more inclined to use the term themselves.
Paired with the fact that the younger generation is going to church less, is less likely to identify with the Christian faith, and is less likely to practice it, they may also have less attachment to the term “Christmas.”
At the end of the day, whether you choose to say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays” is a personal preference. We, as Canadians, are pretty accepting, and something as simple as a holiday greeting should just be taken at face value. This means accepting the greeting, and not rudely trying to correct the well-wisher if they did not use your phrase of choice.
How Do Canadians Celebrate Christmas?
So what special traditions can be commonly found in Canada during the holiday season?
👋 A Holiday Greeting
Throughout December, as we have mentioned throughout this post, you will hear Canadians greeting each other with a “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays.” It really doesn’t matter which way you say it, acknowledging the festive season is just one way we choose to celebrate Christmas.
🎁 Gift Giving
Canadians, and North Americans in general, tend to spend a ton of money around the holiday season, averaging about $792 each on Christmas gifts alone in 2019! As the top commercial holiday in the country, Christmas generates a lot of profit for small local businesses as well as big corporations.
Yes, Christmas has become waaaay too commercialized. The most popular gifts purchased by Canadians for their loved ones are consumable items like food, wine, and sweets, followed closely by clothing and toys.
In our family, we have shifted much of our gift-giving to experiences. We would rather take the kids on a trip to the Quebec Christmas Market (a big surprise considering we are travel bloggers!), or take them ziplining at a new destination, rather than fill their closets with stuff they never use.
🍗 Enjoying Holiday Treats and Feasts
One of the most delicious holiday customs that Canadians have, is the traditional Christmas dinner. Although most people tend to make a turkey with all the trimmings, others prefer to prepare roast beef, ham or even a goose.
Christmas dinner is an important part of bringing family together for the holidays. I can remember enjoying a huge feast on Christmas Eve with all my cousins, playing games, and catching up, all while waiting to open our presents at midnight.
And Christmas is not just about the turkey. Sweets play a big part in holiday traditions.
From the Christmas cookies exchanged with neighbours and friends, to the fruitcake that nobody seems to like, and the advent calendars filled with chocolate, sweets are synonymous with Christmas.
🎄 Putting Up a Christmas Tree
One special Christmas tradition that many families have, is to drive to a local tree farm and cut down their own Christmas tree. This is a great way for families to make memories, and kick off the holiday season.
Of course, many people also opt for the easier option of precut trees found at a grocery store or Christmas tree lot. These trees tend to cost a little more, but you are paying for the convenience of not having to do the physical labour!
Lastly, many people also have artificial Christmas Trees that they reuse year after year. This tends to be the least messy, easiest, and least expensive option. It all boils down to personal preference and budget.
🎅🏻 Visiting with Santa Claus
Taking your child’s photo with Santa has been a time-honoured tradition in Canada since before I was born. And even though my kids are now in their teens, our family still enjoys the yearly tradition.
Nowadays, Santa can be found in places other than malls. Between incredible Santa Train experiences, visiting the jolly fella at Canada’s Wonderland during Winterfest, watching the Santa Clause parade that happens in cities all over the country, or even taking baking classes with Mrs. Claus, there are so many fun ways to experience the festive season with kids.
And don’t forget, kids can also write a letter to Santa in Canada. If they address the letter to Santa Claus, North Pole, HOH OHO (no stamp needed), they will get a response from the jolly elf himself! Just be sure to send the letter early enough in the season, as Santa tends to get busy right before Christmas!
💡 Checking Out Christmas Light Displays
During the holiday season, Canadians love Christmas lights. Many cities have special Holiday Light attractions, like Niagara’s annual Winter Festival of Lights.
Some of these attractions are drive-throughs, while others are made so you can stroll through the area to check out the displays. In either case, the attractions are pretty incredible to see!
Of course, I like to just walk around my neighbourhood and see what people have done to decorate their own homes. I remember visiting a few homes in Mississauga that would create such an incredible display, that they would get hoards of people driving by the house to take a peek.
How to Say Merry Christmas In Canada – FAQs
The most common holiday greeting in Canada is “Merry Christmas.” Other popular options include “Happy Holidays” and “Seasons Greetings.”
Although Christmas is celebrated on December 25th, wishing someone a “Merry Christmas” is something Canadians typically do throughout the month of December.
Seen as more of a festive greeting, “Merry Christmas” can be used right up until December 25th.
How should someone respond when greeted with “Merry Christmas”? There are several polite phrases you can use:
Same to you.
Thank you.
Thanks, same to you.
Thanks, you too!
Happy holidays.
Have a happy Christmas.
The choice is really up to you! Of course, as we mentioned earlier, it is considered pretty rude to correct someone by telling them that you prefer a different greeting.
The phrase ‘Merry Christmas’ is mostly used in North America, while ‘Happy Christmas’ is more popular in the United Kingdom. But it would not be incorrect to use the latter in Canada, as it is a perfectly acceptable festive greeting.
According to some Canadians, saying “Merry Christmas” is considered politically incorrect, and seen as insensitive to people who aren’t from this country and don’t celebrate Christmas. And the term “Happy Holidays” is seen as more inclusive.
This “Great Debate” has been going on for years in Canada. At the end of the day, you should use the term that is right for you. After all, “Merry Christmas” is a traditional saying that’s been around for centuries.
Final Thoughts on How to Say Merry Christmas in Canada
So although there are several different ways to say Merry Christmas in Canada, depending on where you are in the country and who you are speaking with, the common denominator is wanting to wish someone well during the festive season. And whether that is saying “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays”, fellow Canadians will be sure to return the happy tidings.
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