Merry Christmas is a greeting that we all know and love. It’s the time of year when we celebrate with family, friends, and loved ones. But do you know where this phrase comes from? The answer may surprise you!
When did the “Merry Christmas” greeting start?
We can trace the modern “Merry Christmas” greeting back to the 16th century. At this time, people would say “Merry Christmas” or “Mery Christmas.” This was a way to wish someone a happy holiday season. In fact, the first recorded use of the phrase was in 1534 by John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester.
This phrase’s popularity began to grow in the 18th century. During this time, it was common for people who worked with books to include a “Merry Christmas” wish when they signed their name at the end of a book. For example, Charles Dickens often used these words near his signature on his novels!
Why did “Merry Christmas” become so popular?
During Victorian times (1837-1901), many new inventions made life easier and more fun for everyone! One of these fantastic inventions was called chromolithography. This is how we got beautiful greeting cards printed with colorful pictures on them! During this period, the first known card sent out said: “A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year To You.”
Since then, the phrase “Merry Christmas” has become one of the most famous greetings during the holiday season! We hope you have a very merry Christmas this year!
One of the reasons why “Merry Christmas” became more prevalent in the 1800s may have been because of Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert. The royal couple celebrated Christmas with great fanfare and started to popularize some of the traditions we still follow today, like sending cards and decorating trees. As Christmas grew in popularity, so did the phrase “Merry Christmas.”
These days, it’s hard to imagine Christmas without hearing the phrase “Merry Christmas.” It’s a greeting that has come to symbolize the holiday season and brings joy to millions of people every year. So whatever you do this Christmas, be sure to say “Merry Christmas” to your friends, family, and loved ones!
Countries celebrating Christmas
Christmas is celebrated in many different countries around the world. Here are a few of the most popular ones:
Australia – Christmas is celebrated on December 25th and is considered a national holiday. Australians typically celebrate with family and friends and often exchange gifts.
UK – Christmas is celebrated on December 25th and is also considered a national holiday. Traditions in the UK include caroling, decorating trees, and exchanging gifts.
Germany – Christmas is celebrated on December 24th and 25th and is one of the most important holidays in Germany. Germans typically celebrate with family members, decorate their homes with festive greenery and lights, and give each other gift cards called “Weihnachtskarten.”
Mexico – Christmas is celebrated on December 25th and is considered the most important holiday in Mexico. Mexicans typically celebrate with family and friends, decorate their homes with lights and Christmas trees, and give each other gift cards called “Tarjetas de Navidad.”
Many other countries celebrate Christmas, including Canada, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, and more! So whatever country you’re in this Christmas season, be sure to say “Merry Christmas” to your friends and family!
How people say Merry Christmas in other languages
There is no one term for “merry Christmas” in most languages, but some common phrases translate to the English version. If you’re traveling around the world this holiday season, here are a few examples of how people say Merry Christmas in other languages:
Australia – Happy holidays! or Season’s greetings!
UK – Happy Christmas!
Germany – Frohe Weihnachten (pronounced Frowa Vy-khen-chten) or Schöne Feiertage (schone feareetahhge)!
Mexico – Feliz Navidad o Prospero Ano Nuevo!
France/Spain/Italy/Poland etc. – Joyeux Noël (French), Feliz Natal (Portuguese), Buon Natale or Natale Meraviglioso! (Italian), Wesołych Świąt (Polish) etc.
There are many other translations for “merry Christmas” around the world, so be sure to do a little research before you travel! Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Germany, Mexico, or any other country, wishing someone a “Merry Christmas” is a great way to spread holiday cheer!
How people celebrate Christmas all over the world
There are many different ways people celebrate Christmas all over the world. Here’s a quick look at how Christmas is celebrated in some of the most popular countries:
Australia – One of Australia’s favorite holidays, Boxing Day, falls on December 26th, and it has become an unofficial holiday for Australians. The day after Christmas typically involves visiting friends or family members to exchange any leftovers from gifts received during the holiday season!
UK – In addition to celebrating with their families, millions of Brits go caroling around their neighborhoods as part of what they call “wassailing.” They also participate in other festive traditions like hanging up the mistletoe and building gingerbread houses!
Germany – One of the most important holidays in Germany, Christmas Eve is celebrated on December 24th. Germans open one gift each on this special night and spend time with their families over a traditional German meal!
Mexico – One of the most popular times to visit Mexico, people travel around this holiday season for Nochebuena (December 24th) or Navidad (December 25th). Mexicans decorate their homes with colorful lights, greenery, and nativity scenes called “nacimientos,” exchange gifts during las posadas, host parties filled with festive food like tamales and atole, as well as other traditions.
Other countries celebrate different ways too! Whether you’re spending Christmas in Australia, the UK, Germany any other country around the world, be sure to enjoy the unique traditions that make each one so special!
Gifts
Let us make a recommendation for Chocolate and Champagne as a great way to celebrate the holiday.
We at at eTranslation Services join the world in celebrating Christmas. We are thankful for all the blessings we have received this year. The year has been wonderful, and we thank our global staff and our clients for contributing to our success.
We wish you a very Merry Christmas and hope that you’ll have good health and plenty of blessings.
Image Copyright: Kgbo [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
