Recently I read a popular blog that was Anti Christmas (xmas) in the workplace. The Author expressed disdain for several factors, including being “forced” to having a day off and not being able to work; she mentioned her concerns being a minority, and Xmas not being Diverse due to the Religious beliefs and a few other factors. 

So, in defense of the Spirit of the holidays Please allow me my humble opinion - 

The more I think of this, the more I realize that Penelope is right.

Holidays? Any of them, who needs them! Seriously, America is made up and founded of diversity and emigrants right? So why should any of us be forced to take Thanksgiving or Labor Day off? And what about this thing Called 4th of July? And do We REALLY need to celebrate Columbus Day? I mean, he really didn’t "found" the U.S. correct? Shouldn’t we give "those people" who landed on Plymouth Rock more celebrity status.. And,  exactly which President is it that we are celebrating on President’s day??

How Dare they consider shutting down the Banks, Post Offices, Government Institutions and Civil Service for that guy who helped found that thing called the Civil Rights Movement.. Why should a non disabled, white male care about Martin Luther Day anyways? Don’t they realize the problems that having the Banks and post office closed causes the workforce???? I am also sure that the American Indians, the Original Natives of America really would prefer the United States considered their perspective of Thanksgiving; And who knows, next there may even be a holiday for that other guy, what’s his name? Chavez something or the other???

Ah, be darned.. I don’t understand Halloween either… why would a grown man / woman want to play dress up and act goofy, it really irritates me… let’s get rid of that holiday too.. I can’t bare to even consider seeing another orange cookie again.. and hopefully they won’t have any peanuts in them.. No, though I am not allergic, because the few are, we should not allow Anyone to enjoy them at all..

Okay, as a multiracial, traditional Christian, all of this was said tongue in cheek, but with the hope that displays that we in America embrace all of what makes America. Whether that be Jew, Christian, Moslem or even Atheist… The different countries, religions, and beliefs that Make this wonderful country ours. Freedom of Religion does indeed play a part of the founding of this country, just as the Freedom to choose Not to celebrate a religious belief.

What is my biggest gripe? – Why take away something that the Majority of the Population enjoys, or even cherishes, because the Minority has a problem with it? The last time they tried that with Prohibition, they found out it really didn’t work..

Actually, many may not be aware, but in the 17th Century, Christmas was Canceled in England.. it was thought to be a heathen holiday by the puritans. That didn’t last long though.. In America, Christmas was outlawed in Boston for about 20 years; and during the Civil War, the South and North were divided in regards to the holiday. The North considered it to be a sin.. A pagan holiday. For Sure, Santa, Swathing ones home with Wreaths, and colored lights, and materializing the spirit of Xmas with Gifts and many of the many decorations we utilize.. indeed, it is not in light of Christianity. In fact, Christmas has never really been a holiday of Religion and one would never find a reference to it in the bible.

A recent National Survey from Scrips Howard News Service and Ohio University has revealed that 9 out of 10 People in America do not consider Christmas to be a religious holiday but more a Holiday of Community.

So, if we are to ban the xmas holiday due to the word Christ-mas.. I can think of a few other words that could also be considered lethal.. Guys, maybe you can relate — Um… how about Men- opause, or Pre- Men-strual cycle, what about Men-tal illness, and the HIS-terectomy; and would the French, Spanish and other languages stop differentiating Nouns by gender distinctions .. IE – le, la, Un, une! And indeed explain why is a chair a female, and a car male?

Okay, I went off course.. but, gee, how ridiculous do we get in the States? To begrudge many of the people who Actually enjoy a holiday once in a while.. the opportunity to have one, because we don’t agree with it.

Anyways, why can’t we just live and LET LIVE!! If we could all just get along… ah.. well its CHRISTmas, so I guess I am gonna rub the halo of my angel on the tree for good luck, hang some more mistletoe, drink a bunch of Eggnog, and prove to everyone that Flying Reindeer Do Exist, all in the Spirit of Peace!

ABOUT KAREN MATTONEN, CAC, CSP 

Karen is an experienced, successful recruiter who operates her own business and is actively involved in many industry organizations and activities. Her recruiting career began with Snelling Corporation. In 1998, after a successful tenure as a recruiter with Snelling, Karen struck out on her own, founding Advanced Career Solutions (ACS). ACS focuses on recruiting for the HVAC Industry.

 Karen has achieved accreditation as a California Accredited Consultant (CAC) through California Staffing Professionals. She has also gained her Certified Staffing Professional Certificate (CSP) through American Staffing Professionals. (www.americanstaffing.net)

Karen has a new and future-oriented vision of what recruiting can and should become: a profession we can be proud of for its ethical standing, professional conduct and ability to build great organizations. Her doing-well-by-doing-right philosophy is shaking up the status quo in an industry that needs to be shaken. She does this with conviction, leadership, and a distinctive voice that cries out for change.

Karen was a co-creator of the landmark webinar event – “EEOC Discrimination Debate.” This event featured senior members of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and staffing industry experts discussing and debating difficult issues about discrimination in today’s workplace environment. Company executives, hiring managers, recruiters, and human resource professionals from across the United States were invited to participate in the free Webinar and live panel discussion.

Karen also served as one of the panelists on the discussion team in the March, 2006 event.As co-host of the popular podcast “The Recruiters Lounge,”Karen discusses her frank opinions on the recruitment industry with her co-host, Jim Stroud.