> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# A ‘Merry Christmas’ to all
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/a-merry-christmas-to-all-editor/
- Published: 2007-12-17T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T04:25:18.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By David Spataro Santa Monica*

I guess I’m old fashioned. At this time of year, I’m in the habit, quite inveterate, of wishing people a “Merry Christmas.” Now really... I’m not proselytizing for Christianity. I don’t care what faith a person subscribes to; this simply is the way I’m accustomed to greeting people during the Christmas season.

It would be cynical indeed to imagine an ulterior motive for my so doing, and a bit Dickensian. Remember Scrooge? He, of course, was a caricature with his “stake of holly” when approached. However, his relative still wished him well. All this fuss about a traditional salutation is, in my opinion, nonsense. Surely, there are matters of more importance.

Be forewarned: If, by chance, I meet you, I may greet you with the now anachronistic “Merry Christmas,” please don’t take umbrage. I mean no harm. If that’s not acceptable, I’ll employ the weaker and more attenuated “Happy Holidays.” By the way, Happy New Year! Hope that doesn’t have an unfavorable connotation.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 17, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/121707.pdf?ref=smdp.com)