Happy Christmas

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 8 1s+2s+3s dance Grand Chain
9-16 1s+2s+3s set, 1s followed by 2s+3s lead down, cross at 3rd place and dance up on opposite sides
17-24 1s+2s+3s advance and retire, turn partners RH 1½ times 3s ending on sides while 1s+2s end in centre for Poussette
25-32 1s+2s dance Poussette. 213

(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)

Keith Rose's Crib Diagram

Happy Christmas - Full Size And Key To Symbols

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Queen Elizabeth II consistently used "Happy Christmas" in her annual Christmas broadcasts, which helped reinforce its association with British culture. By contrast, "Merry Christmas" became dominant in the United States, partly due to its use in popular media and literature, such as Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, which popularised the phrase internationally.

The difference between "happy" and "merry" lies in nuance. "Merry" conveys cheerfulness, festivity, and sometimes exuberance, while "happy" suggests contentment, goodwill, and a calmer sense of joy. In Victorian Britain, "merry" was occasionally linked with rowdiness or excessive drinking, so "happy" was often preferred in more formal or polite contexts. This distinction may explain why "Happy Christmas" endured in British usage, while "Merry Christmas" gained traction elsewhere.

Today, both phrases are understood globally, but their usage reflects cultural identity. In the UK and Ireland, "Happy Christmas" remains common in spoken greetings and printed cards, while "Merry Christmas" is also recognised but slightly less traditional. In the United States and other English-speaking countries, "Merry Christmas" is overwhelmingly dominant. The persistence of "Happy Christmas" highlights how language preserves regional customs, even in the face of globalisation.

Happy Christmas, 1915
From The New Zealand Railway Corporation, Lower Hutt Office Collection

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