We’ve all seen it creeping up around us. The Holiday Tree. Happy Holidays. Holiday Specials on TV. Holiday Inn. I don’t know about you all, but I have just about had it with the “H” word.

Now, don’t get me wrong. Tolerance is a beautiful concept. It shows people of all cultures and backgrounds living in harmony and with respect for one another; and really (queue the most cliche holiday phrase of all time) isn’t that what the season is all about?

However, we cannot deny the fact that all people have different cultures; different upbringings; different backgrounds. It’s our differences that make us all unique; and by joining us all into one category (the “H” bomb) and looking down upon those who don’t follow that concept, it simply takes away that spark–that originality–that our differences give us.

That being said, I do love the IDEA of the Holidays; that no person should feel left out or embarrassed of their culture and their traditions. But, picture this: A guy walks up to you and says “Merry Christmas,” and you, being from Africa (just go with it) reply “Happy Kwanzaa.” See? Was that so hard? Both you and the other guy have a reason to be festive, because it is the time of year. In most traditions and cultures, when we share time with our loved ones as well as cherish the wonderful lives we have. Why categorize it when we can just be proud of our own heritage and be prouder that others are willing to share theirs with you?

We should not have the need to follow the same traditions because others aren’t capable of understanding that our differences are something to be proud of, not scorned for. We should not need to act in a uniform order to prevent someone’s feelings from getting hurt.

I would have no trouble with this if we all just celebrated “Holiday.” Ahh, Holiday. That one magical day of the year where all of the good little boys and girls wake up bright and early to find Holiday Man left them Holiday Cheese in their Holiday Boxes under the Holiday Cactus after getting seconds on their Holiday Pheasant brunch!

Some find being proud of the holiday you celebrate ignorant and intolerant. However, if we as a society reach a day when we can all be proud of celebrating a wonderful, time-honored tradition with the people we care for most, the world could be a more loving and peaceful place. And that, my friends, is the true meaning of Christmas. (Somebody get me a blue blanket and call Snoopy and Charlie Brown, because that was some Linus-style holiday preaching right there!)

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to hunt me a Holiday Pheasant for brunch. Happy Holiday, everyone!