The holiday season seems to have more taking than giving this year, at least in terms of taking offense. Over the past month, controversies have arisen that are bringing out negatives for Christmas. Disputes over company advertising and religious beliefs have people acting a little more naughty than nice this December.

The popular coffee company Starbucks has brewed up trouble this winter season with their red holiday cups. Ever since 1997, Starbucks has always tried to ring in the holiday spirit with simple designs of snowmen, ornaments, figure skating and reindeer. Until this year, there has never been questioning over what was drawn on the cups. However, many see the new plain red cups without holiday designs as an insult against the Christian faith and Christmas.

“I think it’s really stupid because it’s just a red cup. The only reason it started was because the past cups had snowmen and reindeer on them and now that it’s plain it’s ‘no longer Biblical.’ Before the whole conflict started, some people did ask why there is nothing on the cup but the classic Christmas colors. Our store has Christmas decorations everywhere and we still have the Christmas blend coffee, but everyone gets upset just because the cup is plain. One lady came in and asked me for a Sharpie, wrote ‘Merry Christmas’ on the side of her cup and said ‘this is what your cups could say’ and stormed out of the store, still with the coffee in her hand,” said Wentzville Starbucks employee Bailey McDonough.

The new plain red cups have millions across the country in an uproar because many view the generic cup as another way of taking Christ out of Christmas.

Some individuals bring up the fact that if it weren’t for Christ, there wouldn’t be a winter holiday celebration in the first place. The happy holidays vs. Merry Christmas fiasco actually has people pushing their beliefs more today, because the attention to these situations was never brought about before.

“It definitely should be Merry Christmas. We should not change what we say just because others find it offensive. It is what we say for our holiday; there is no reason we should feel the need to hide it,” said campus minister Mr. Struttmann.

“I understand why some people take offense, but this controversy is completely overblown. I work at Gian-Tony’s on The Hill and get plenty of ‘Merry Christmas’ and ‘happy holidays’ and do not take offense to either. The whole idea is just over sensitivity of sensibilities, people are going to get offended either way,” said social studies teacher Mr. Asher.

Besides the red cups and happy holidays debates, what is found to be the most offensive is replacing the word “Christmas” with “Xmas.” In recent years, “Xmas” has been seen on holiday cards, social media sites and in the holiday deals advertised by stores during the season. This only adds to the many issues in the “taking Christ out of Christmas” controversy.

“I don’t understand why it was replaced in the first place. If the reasoning was just to shorten the name, it seems like a waste. If it wasn’t for Christ, we would not have the holiday in the first place, so honoring His name for the celebration of His birth is the right thing to do. Keep Christ in Christmas,” said science teacher Mr. Schlenke.

However, many are not aware that the “X,” pronounced “Chi” in Greek, is translated as Christ. This says that “Xmas” and “Christmas” actually have the same meaning, but since it isn’t the same language, it is seen as the removal of Christ. While two cultures share the same belief, one has taken offense of a single letter that still holds Christ’s meaning to others.

Due to the recent events causing these crazy Christmas revolts, it seems as though many are just waiting for an opportunity to take offense this holiday season. If people were able to open their minds and look at the situation from another perspective, they would see that what they are taking offense to may be a waste of time. Instead of taking anger out on those with different beliefs, the holidays should be a time of happiness and love.