I started, several years ago, to say "Merry CHRISTMAS"! Usually, I get a surprised and joyful "Merry Christmas!" in return! If someone doesn't like my greeting, then that's their problem - not mine! :-) In Pittsburgh, they have "Sparkle Season" instead of "Christmas Season".
That's pathetic.
Federal law (5 U.S.C. 6103) establishes the following public holidays for Federal employees. Please note that most Federal employees work on a Monday through Friday schedule. For these employees, when a holiday falls on a nonworkday -- Saturday or Sunday -- the holiday usually is observed on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday).
Thursday, January 1... New Year's Day
Monday, January 19... Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Monday, February 16 *... Washington's Birthday
Monday, May 31... Memorial Day
Monday, July 5 **... Independence Day
Monday, September 6... Labor Day
Monday, October 11... Columbus Day
Thursday, November 11... Veterans Day
Thursday, November 25... Thanksgiving Day
Friday, December 24 ***... Christmas Day
Friday, December 31 ****... New Year's Day 2005
* This holiday is designated as "Washington's Birthday" in section 6103(a) of title 5 of the United States Code, which is the law that specifies holidays for Federal employees. Though other institutions such as state and local governments and private businesses may use other names, it is our policy to always refer to holidays by the names designated in the law.
** Independence Day, July 4, 2004, falls on Sunday. For most Federal employees, Monday, July 5, 2004, will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes.
*** December 25, 2004, (the legal public holiday for Christmas Day) falls on a Saturday. For most Federal employees, Friday, December 24, will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes. (See 5 U.S.C. 6103(b).)
**** Friday, December 31, 2004 will be treated as a holiday for most Federal employees since January 1, 2005 falls on a Saturday. See holiday schedule for 2005.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------