The phrase "Happy Holidays" doesn't go far enough in the quest for total inclusiveness, according to one leftist professor at Texas Woman's University.
In a letter to the TWU community, professor Mark Kessler offered up some new phrases to use in place of "Holiday" to avoid offending any snowflakes among us. Ridiculous phrases like "end of semester party" or more technical ones like "end of (fiscal) year party."
Consider naming the party, if it is scheduled for December, without using the word 'holiday.' 'Holiday' connotes religious tradition and may not apply to all employees. For educational institutions, a December gathering may instead be called an 'end of semester' party. For a business office, an 'end of (fiscal) year' party may be more appropriate.
Essentially, the entire letter advises against excluding all things remotely associated with Christmas, even secular imagery like snowflakes or evergreen trees. It might as well just be titled an "Atheist's Christmas Manifesto" since it clearly wishes to eradicate Christmas without outright coming out and saying it.
- Avoid religious symbolism, such as Santa Claus, evergreen trees or a red nosed reindeer, which are associated with Christmas traditions, when sending out announcements or decorating for the party. Excellent alternatives are snowflakes, snowmen or winter themes not directly associated with a particular holiday or religion.
- Avoid playing music associated with a faith tradition, such as Christmas carols. Consider a playlist of popular, celebratory party music instead.
- Plan a menu that does not symbolize a particular religious holiday (for example, red and green sugar cookies shaped like Christmas trees). But don’t forget to consider menu items that reflect dietary preferences and requirements of non-majority groups in your organization (e.g., halal or kosher).
Kessler finishes his proposal by advising the party be a learning experience where each and every person of faith (agnostics and atheists included) shares his or her favorite holiday and what it means to them. He also makes sure to mention to "bring dishes and decorations representative of as many traditions and dietary preferences as possible" and "choose a multicultural playlist that reflects all faith traditions."

