[lacrew]

“holiday parties that do not emphasize religion”

Then what exactly is the ‘holiday’ they are celebrating?

[BwanaNdege]

"holiday parties that do not emphasize religion"

Then what exactly is the 'holiday' they are celebrating?

holiday (n.)
1500s, earlier haliday (c. 1200), from Old English haligdaeg "holy day, consecrated day, religious anniversary; Sabbath," from halig "holy" (see holy) + daeg "day"