NOTE: I recently had dental surgery, so please forgive me if I don't get back to you right away.
Every year I do a Best of Write with Fey post, so here are the most popular posts from my blog for 2015:
Every year I do a Best of Write with Fey post, so here are the most popular posts from my blog for 2015:
Top 5 Best Writing About Posts:
1. Writing About: Winter - This was my first seasonal post and the one
with the most views, comments, and shares.
2. Writing About: Witches
– A lot of commenters thank me for shining a light on what real witches are
versus what society has pegged them to be.
3. Writing About: School – So many told me about their time in school and about being bullied. It was wonderful
and heartbreaking.
4. Writing About: A Corpse
– I got more feedback on this one than I thought I would’ve.
5. Writing About: Ghosts (Part 2) –
Even more tips on how to write about a ghostly character.
Top 10 Best Random Posts:
1. Blog Post Ideas – This post is a
list of blog post ideas for those who struggle to find something to blog about.
2. Dear Mom – A letter I wrote
for my mom.
3. Nature in a Frame – A Kid’s Project
– This is a neat nature project you can do with your kids/grandkids/nieces or
nephews.
4. I’m a Tree Hugger! – My best tree
photography.
5. A Kick in the Butt / IWSG
– I shared an email that kicked me in the butt.
6. My Sunflowers – Pictures of the
sunflowers I grew from seeds.
7. Self-Defense Tips – Self-Defense
tips that anyone can do.
8. Bullying Awareness Project –
A project to teach kids about the impact of bullying and hurtful words.
9. 15 Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas – A
list of easy, crafty Christmas gift ideas.
10. 12 Days of Writer’s Christmas – A
fun poem...go ahead...sing it!
Top 10 Best Publishing Posts:
1. Blogging 101 – tips on how to
create a blog, get readers, and even to spice up an existing blog.
2. How to Create an Author Facebook Page
– step-by-step tips and advice on how to get likes.
3. The Ultimate Editing List
– the title pretty much says it all.
4. Organization Tips – for writers,
authors, and bloggers.
5. How to Write an Author Bio
– again, self-explanatory.
6. Working with a Cover Artist
– advice on how to get a cover image you want and how to work with a cover
artist.
7. How to do a Cover Reveal
– Techniques for how to do a cover reveal.
8. Book Release Party – Tips on how to
host a successful Facebook book release party.
9. Getting Reviews – Full of tips on
how to get more reviews for your books.
10. How to Promote Free Days – This post will tell you how to get the most out of your book’s free
days.
Top 10 Best A to Z Posts:
1. A is for Avalanche (most comments)
9. Y is for Ypres Battle (And All Wars)
(most views)
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| If you want to participate in R.A.N.T. hosted by J.A.Scott, you can find me details HERE. |
It really bothers me when people say, “It’s Merry Christmas,
not Happy Holidays!” Why can’t it be a merry Christmas for you and a happy
holiday for someone else?
What's so wrong about saying “Happy
Holidays” anyway? Wishing someone happiness during this lovely time of the year
is a Christian thing to do. I'm Christian and if someone me tells me “Happy
Holidays” I smile and say it back, because by saying that they are wishing me a
happy Christmas and New Year. I even say “Happy Holidays” to strangers.
People get so mad over this phrase because they dont believe in the other holidays/religions, but this
season is not meant to be a time of anger. So, say “Happy Holidays” to someone
and see how it brightens up their faces. Let that brighten you.
***
Well, that’s it for 2015. I’m taking a blogging break
starting...now! I’ll be back in 2016. :)
XOXO,
Chrys Fey
Merry Christmas!
Happy Holidays!
Happy holidays covers both Christmas and New Year's, so it's all right.
ReplyDeleteMy wife always picks Christmas cards that say Christmas not holiday though.
That's how I always viewed "Happy Holidays" as well...in incorporate the New Year.
DeleteI hope you're feeling better after the dental surgery!
ReplyDeleteI remember the sunflowers post! :)
If I know what holiday someone celebrates, then I wish them that. If I don't know then I go with Happy Holidays.
Thanks, Madeline!
DeleteI miss my sunflowers. :(
That's just what I do. :)
Happy holidays or merry christmas works for me. No one should be forced to say either, say what they please. Blah to the dentist though, hopefully that feels better soon.
ReplyDeleteI say one or the other whenever I feel they are right. Thanks, Pat!
DeleteHoping you feel better soon after the surgery and that everything went well with it :) How cute you do the top 10 posts like this :) It was a good blogging year for you indeed I do believe :)
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with your thoughts about Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I hadn't thought of it in that perspective before, but it does make sense :)
betty
Thanks, Betty! :D
DeleteThere are numerous holidays celebrated in December the world over. Happy Holidays covers them all. It's pretty simple really, but if someone says Merry Christmas, I wish them the same. I don't think anyone is going around wishing folks a Happy Holiday as a means to insult - now that's ridiculous - but for FOX News ridiculous is normal. :)
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better soon!
That's what I like about "Happy Holidays" but that's also the same reason so many don't like it...because they feel their religion is superior and Christmas is the only holiday you should be celebrating.
DeleteThanks!
Happy holidays covers everything. I just don't like Merry XMas.
ReplyDeleteExactly, which is why I never understood why people get so mad about it.
DeleteHappy Holidays covers all possible winter holidays, and reflects the fact that we have more than one religion/culture in the U.S. I'm glad we don't live in the 1950s anymore. These days, we can also never assume anything, whether based on appearance, name, or location. You might be talking to one of the few Catholics in a heavily Jewish neighborhood, or a religious Jew with an Irish surname.
ReplyDeleteI think that's what people don't like about it. Many Christians I know don't support other religions and believe theirs is the only right one. That's why they hate the phrase "Happy Holidays."
DeleteI hope you feel better soon. I hope the dental surgery wasn't too painful. I don't mind if someone says Happy Holidays. They are simply wishing you well. Nothing offensive about that. Have a lovely Christmas and New Year.
ReplyDeleteExactly! No harm in those words at all. :)
DeleteThank you, Murees! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I completely agree that it's the sentiment behind the greeting rather than the words. We don't have the same problem in the UK because we don't really use the phrase 'Happy Holidays'. But I'd have no problem with any way people wish to say it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel better soon.
Your list of blog posts must have taken ages - it's really fun to revisit posts.
Yes, it's the sentiment. Not about religions as those who hate the phrase "Happy Holidays" makes it out to be.
DeleteThanks, Annalisa!
Thanks for all the links. I need to check on some of them, especially the one about getting reviews, which I'm in the process of doing now. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to you. Enjoy your break.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Beverly! Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! :D
DeleteHappy winter solstice! (I celebrate that because I like to know the days are getting lighter and spring getting earlier.)
ReplyDeleteSurely wishing someone else a happy day is a good thing, even if they don't have the same beliefs or use the same words?
Happy Christmas! (Why have one happy day when you can have two?)
I celebrate the winter solstice and Christmas. :D
DeleteMy thoughts exactly, Patsy.
You have been busy in 2015 and I remember many of these posts. Thanks for all the suggestions and help and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year's Eve. I've been taking an unintentional blog sabbatical for the past three weeks!
ReplyDeleteYes, I have been busy with this blog. This is my first real break since I started it.
DeleteMerry Christmas! Happy New Year!
Hi Chrys - hope the dentistry went off happily. I personally loathe happy holidays - but then that's me being picky! I'll have my merry Christmas .. but I do use enjoy the festive season .. if too many merry Christmases are around ...
ReplyDeleteAnyway - recover enough to eat some 'happy' food ... cheers and just enjoy! All the very best for 2016 ... Hilary
Thank you, Hilary. I sure do miss eating normal food. I hope I can eat good for Christmas.
DeleteHi Chrys, what an amazing round up! All your hard work over the year laid right out for us to click and enjoy! I agree with you about the Happy Holidays sentiment. I hope you recover quickly from your dental surgery. Get lots of rest on your blog break. I'll be seeing you over at instagram :) Merry Christmas Chrys, and thank you for your wonderful blog and all the knowledge and tips you share!
ReplyDeleteThank you for such a lovely comment. I'm glad my blog and the posts I share are appreciated. Merry Christmas to you, Lisa! I'll see you around. :)
DeleteIt's like they say. Po-TAY-Toe, Po-TAH-Toe. It doesn't matter how you say something, it's the intent behind what you are saying. I hate when people are adamant that it's a Holiday Party, when it's clearly a Christmas Party. Changing the words, doesn't change what it is. Some people, I think, just like to complain about something that really isn't a problem.
ReplyDeleteOf course, it's my same thought with a "Bad" word. So a euphonium is replaced for the word. Both mean the same thing, but one is "bad". I don't feel there are bad words. Just bad intents behind the words. That's what people should be concentrating on, not quibbling over the word or phraseology.
Have a good break Chrys! See you in 2016!!!!!
Right. The good intentions behind it should be what we pay attention to, not the specific phrase.
DeleteI love that writing about a corpse is right up there with writing about school! Sorry about the dental surgery. Hope you heal quickly. Take care.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Two very different sides of the spectrum, huh?
DeleteThank you, C Lee!
Wow!The recap is as impressive in content as it is in size - No wonder you're taking a break! And I hope the surgery heals quickly. It's natural I guess, to feel defensive when presented with opposition - such as a difference of opinion. Both sides fear their view might be threatened, but isn't it the thought, especially when both mean essentially the same thing, that counts?
ReplyDeleteHave a magical Christmas, lady Chrys - and joyous holidays too! :-)
I am well overdue for a break. This is my first break since I started my blog
DeleteI used to blog all throughout the holidays.
I couldn't have said it better myself. The meaning is what counts.
Merry Christmas, Lady Diedre! :D
Your 'letter to your mother' is a post that I really remember. Happy holidays works for me though I usually say Merry Christmas if I say it first.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the letter to my mom is the post you remember, Susan. :)
DeleteYou had a good blogging year. I look forward to more in 2016. Sure hope you heal quickly from dental surgery. That's never fun. Enjoy your holidays!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Barb! Happy Holidays! :)
DeleteSome people look for things to be upset about. So, the whole Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays is a boon for them.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to highlight your top posts from the year. Have a great break.
And it's horrible they look for things to be upset about during the holiday season.
DeleteThanjs, Liz!
I always sigh and shake my head when people get upset about that whole thing. I'm happy to say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays or Happy Festivas! (Which some of my friends celebrate.) Making someone smile is a gift in itself. :)
ReplyDeleteI shake my head too, especially when I hear it from the same people every year. It gets tiring and annoying.
DeleteJust tell those people who are bothered by it Merry Christmas and assure them you'll always protect their rights to a Merry Christmas. I believe the movement is a backlash based on the fear (whether real or not) that what they hold sacred is being diminished. I think all people of all religions worry about the secular encroachment, be it Christian, Muslim, Jewish or what not.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I'm not offended by Happy Holidays, especially from a stranger. They don't know me. They don't know I's a Christian. And personally, I'd wish my Jewish friends Happy Hanukkah, my Muslim friends a Happy Ramadan, and my atheist friends...I'd just do a whole lot of praying for them. Whether they like it or not. :)
Yes. I wish my friends a happy holiday for whatever they celebrate.
DeleteFor some people Christmas is just like another day,
ReplyDeleteI for one will be alone but in my heart will remember Christmas past when I had a husband, and family and Christmas was great fun. I will be putting the finishing touches to my new book. Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy and healthy New Year.
Yvonne.
I will be thinking about you this Christmas, Yvonne.
DeleteMerry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Great looking back post, Chrys. I've enjoyed all the posts of yours I've had time to read and ponder upon. I don't know what all the fuss is about Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. It's like it isn't politically correct to say Merry Christmas anymore as it's a Christian festivity. However, I have no trouble saying enjoy Eid or Happy Hannukah etc. Let's respect each other's beliefs and get on with being happy!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Chrys!
Denise :-)
Yes, respect each other's beliefs and have a happy season. :)
DeleteHope you feel better soon and your holidays are full of fun and cheer. See you next year. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sherry! Happy Holidays! See you next year! :)
DeleteYou and I think down the same path. Who cares what its called? Good cheer should just be a good cheer. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
And good cheer is what we should be spreading. :)
DeleteThis is a great post with all the links in one. Thanks for doing this Chrys. All the best.
ReplyDeleteYou're so welcome! :)
DeleteHappy holidays, Chrys! I totally agree with you. Not everyone is Christian, and "Happy holidays" can include Hanukkah too. I have many Jewish friends, but I didn't always know they were Jewish.
ReplyDeleteI like happy holidays because it's inclusive, not "politically correct."
That's why I like it too. I don't discriminate. I believe "happy holidays" is appropriate and kind to say. But so many don't like it because they don't believe in the other holidays. *sigh*
DeleteWhen you realize that holiday actually means Holy Day, it makes a difference. I like Merry Christmas, but I like Happy Holidays, too.
ReplyDeleteWishing you both! :)
Holiday...Holy Day. I hadn't made that connection. Wow. :)
DeleteI like how you did your best of 2015 with the separate categories. I remember reading some of those posts :) I agree with the happy holidays, I thought it meant Christmas and the New Year until people started making a big fuss about it. I hope you have a pleasant break, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI thought the same thing. Oh well, I'll still say it. And I'll say it to those I know who make a fuss about it. ;)
DeleteI have Christian friends and Jewish friends and send cards out. So I buy one that says 'Merry Christmas' and one that says 'Happy Holidays'. When I'm out around town, I say Happy Holidays. I've never heard anyone around here complain about that term.
ReplyDeleteYou're lucky. I've seen it all over Facebook a few years in a row.
Deletewow - lots of great posts this year!
ReplyDeleteand people just seem to get offended over everything these days... i say whatever comes to mind first. and i worry less about offending people these days - i dont intend to, but anything can be taken the wrong way!
merry, happy, jolly christmas, winter, holiday season!
People do get offended so easily.
DeleteMerry Christmas! Happy Holidays!
How time flies! It's been a year of great posts and stories here.
ReplyDeleteHappy holidays!
Thank you, Luz. I have more planned for 2016. :)
DeleteHappy Holidays!
Oh dental surgery. Hope you're healing from that ok. I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth surgically removed a few years ago and the oral surgeon fractured my jaw and I couldn't open my mouth more than an inch for well over a month. ouch.
ReplyDeleteYup, I had all if my wisdom teeth removed too. I couldn't open my mouth bigger than an inch for about 6 days but now I can. Ouch is right...I can't imagine the pain of a fractured jaw.
DeleteHey Chrys,
ReplyDeleteA mighty fine list of popular posts by your good self. Okay, you lost me at the dreaded alphabet challenge thingy. What with me being, "the official anti-A to Z Challenge spokesman", as bestowed on me by the dude that started the darned thing! :)
Sorry about your dental issues, although I'm sure your wisdom is still there. And please, whatever you do, do not type with your teeth...
Gary
I believe I still do have my wisdom. ;)
DeleteI agree! If someone says to me merry Christmas or happy Hanukkah or joyous kawanza or happy holidays.. I say it back because they're wishing me a good time and that's nice of them. Why get bent out of shape about that?
ReplyDeleteWishing you a speedy dental recovery! I know how much that can suck :(
Thank you! I am much better now. :)
DeleteI say 'Happy Holidays' all the time, lol. Not once have I thought anyone would be annoyed by it (and if anyone is, meh, it's their problem). Hope you're recovering well from your surgery, Chrys. Enjoy your X'mas break, Happy Holidays, and see you in 2016!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Claudine! Happy Holudays!!!
DeleteLove the listing of your popular posts for 2015. And I also have no issue saying "Happy Holidays." Not everyone celebrates Christmas; they might celebrate Hanakuah, Kwanzaa, etc. Plus it covers all the holidays including New Year’s. Hope you're enjoying your blogging break and Happy Holidays! ��
ReplyDeletePS Still a staunch believer that a zombie apocalypse is the worst disaster ever.
A Zombie Apocalypse would be terrifying.
DeleteDefinitely need to check out some of your posts.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the blitz, and a very Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, M Pax!
DeleteSorry to hear about the dental surgery! Hope it went well and that you're all recovered, and Happy Holidays/Merry Christmas to you, too! Saying Happy Holidays includes everyone, so I don't get why people would get offended over that. Personally, I would happily reply to just about any holiday wish. People need to chill. lol
ReplyDeleteI am all recovered now. Thank you! Merry Christmas, Gisele! Happy Holidays!
DeleteI agree it's silly to get mad over someone wishing you happy holidays. They're saying something nice to you, for crying out loud. Appreciate it for its intent. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas holiday, Chrys!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Lori! :)
DeleteThanks for this post and links.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a Happy New Year!
Thanks for visiting! Happy New Year!
DeleteI say Merry Christmas, Season's Greetings, or Happy Holidays depending on the person--if they're a stranger or if I know they celebrate. You had amazing posts this year.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Medeia!
DeleteGreat to see your end of year post! I hope that your mouth is better after your surgery.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure why people get so upset. I think saying Happy Holidays is very nice- you are wishing someone happiness and for them to enjoy whatever holiday or holidays they celebrate. Merry Christmas is nice too- but I don't think we need to get angry if someone says Happy Holidays. We should not spread anger at this time of year (or anytime).
Great post! Wishing you a healthy and happy 2016!
~Jess
Thank you, Jess! My mouth is much better now. :) I hope you have a healthy and happy 2016 too.
DeleteHi Chrys,
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year. I just wanted to say thank you for commenting on my blog in 2015--you were one of the top commenters. I love what you are doing on your blog. Here is to a great 2016!
Happy New Year!
DeleteAnd you're so welcome! Thank you also for commenting on my blog. :)