But back then “Happy Holidays” hadn’t displaced “Merry Christmas.”
In the Bing Crosby/Fred Astaire movie “Holiday Inn,” (1945) there were songs for many holidays—like Lincoln’s Birthday, Thanksgiving, Easter—and “White Christmas.” At the end of the film was the song “Happy Holidays.” In 1954, “Holiday Inn” was remade as “White Christmas.”
A Tradition
Holiday Inn= Thanksgiving
White Christmas= Christmas (before ‘A Christmas Story)