Corporate Christmas Conundrum

Every year around this time, companies send cards and gifts to clients with holiday wishes. As we put our greeting together, we struggled with a desire to say “Merry Christmas” instead of a more politically correct “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings.” Part of me is rather anti-politically correct. I mean, come on, we’ll be celebrating Christmas this week, not just a generic season. If I were to celebrate a season, it would NOT be winter!
At the same time, I know a couple of my clients are Jewish, so I backed off and we went with “Happy Holidays.” On the other hand, if I got a greeting from a Jewish client or partner that said, “As we celebrate Rosh Hashanah, we want to thank you for your business and wish you continued success,” I would be honored that they thought of me in connection to a celebration that is so important to them.
I have a solution to the political correctness of talking around Christmas as we send year- end greetings. Let’s face it; we’re not sending the greeting because it’s Christmas time, but because it’s around the end of the year. Instead, surprise your U.S. clients by sending a gift or card during the third week of November. Include a message that says, “At this time of year, we think about that for which we are thankful. One of those things is you.” No one can get offended by a Thanksgiving greeting.
If you have international clients, hold off on your greeting until the first week of January. Then send a message like, “As we start a new year, we thank you for your part in our success and wish you the best for a fantastic year.” We all use the same calendar. Even in areas where they celebrate the Chinese New Year, the business calendar is the same as ours. This is an appropriate, inoffensive greeting everywhere.
In addition to avoiding the Christmas conundrum, these options give you the added benefit of standing out from everyone else who sends corporate greetings during December. It takes a little more planning (especially to do the early Thanksgiving option), but it may be a solution to the annual corporate Christmas conundrum.
With that said, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a great 2009.