Many people and organizations are afraid to say “Merry Christmas” to their clients.

I have struggled with it myself.

My sense of the argument against wishing people a Merry Christmas is that it is exclusive – that it excludes people. Ultimately, my view is that wishing someone a Merry Christmas is a positive thing, and hence is inclusive.

In an environment when most brands are not using the word “Christmas” in their holiday messaging, there is an opportunity for brands – personal and corporate alike – to stand out by doing that very thing.

This video is a discussion I recently had on this topic with Branding and PR Strategist Megan Matthews. Megan has worked at major agencies in Toronto, New York and London on global brands, and brings us her expert POV on the three points on the Christmas continuum:

• Right down the chimney: Brands that are actually using the word “Christmas”
• One stocking on, one stocking off: Brands that are using Christmas imagery but not the dreaded word itself
• No ho ho: Brands that are not referencing Christmas at all.

Check it out. And a very Merry Christmas to all.