How do you spend the holidays?

After protesters rallied outside of a Sacramento Wal-Mart, the retailer decided to change the usual “Happy Holidays” slogan used by employees. Wal-Mart is now encouraging all employees to greet customers with their choice of holiday cheer. This change in holiday tradition allows employees to express their religious and holiday celebrations. All people celebrate the holidays in their own special way and Wal-Mart is attempting to acknowledge this. According to Aledda Jackson, freshmen economics major, “I think the change in Wal-Mart's policy allows for equal treatment of all religions. Now people who celebrate holidays such as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa will be recognized.”

Students on campus are excited about the holidays and sharing the special time with their family. LaShayna Thomas, junior business major, says “for my family Christmas is the only time my family gets to see each other since we're always separated. We spend the time enjoying each other's company, eating, and catching up. We also celebrate Christmas by not only giving, but by celebrating the true reason for the season, the birth of Christ.” According to McKenzie Cox, sophomore history major, “we all go to my Grandma's house on Christmas Eve and eat dinner then spend the night and wake up the next morning at the crack of dawn, open presents and eat breakfast.” In the end, if you greet friends with “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Hanukkah,” it doesn't matter. The season is about giving, being with family, and remembering “your” true meaning of the holidays.