Content Specificity
This is when the content of something is entirely about Christmas but is called "Holiday". Christmas themed dance and plays come in December. Many towns have concerts, parades and pageants containing Christmas images, music or symbols. Historical estates will have their grounds and mansions decorated for Christmas, and as a fundraiser, have a special open house, sometimes with costumed carolers and refreshments. Though it's wonderful that these special events happen, unless some obvious effort has been made to include symbols, decorations or significant content representing other holidays, there's no reason why they shouldn't be called what they really are about - Christmas. |
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In Berkeley, the Committee for Arts and Lectures' brochure advertising upcoming performances lists one offering under the category "Holiday"-The Nutcracker, the famous Christmas ballet and an all-time favorite. "Holiday" is used as a disclaimer implying that some effort was made to accommodate all holidays or that what's being presented is about all holidays, or that it was an accident or insignificant that the contents happens to be Christmas. It is especially disheartening when a traditional event or venue changes from "Christmas" to "Holiday" right in front of us from one year to the next. |
If you think there's a chance this could happen, express support for the authentic title in a letter. I've done this with "Christmas Revels" and "Dickens' Christmas Fair ", which have still not caved in under the pressure of holidayization. Express disappointment, even bewilderment, with a name changed to "Holiday" after it happens. Tell those responsible that you've always enjoyed their event, are always looking for Christmas activities, and will look forward to attending theirs again when they return to the original name. If you're having a phone conversation, they will explain the reason for the change is just so everyone will feel included. Of course there's no documentation telling us that people have avoided events because they were called "Christmas".Explain that you think people will still feel included. They will assure you that everything is just as it was before the name changed. Assure them you'd rather attend a real Christmas event.