December 14, 2015

Best of Write with Fey for 2015 / Holiday R.A.N.T.


NOTE: I recently had dental surgery, so please forgive me if I don't get back to you right away.

Every year I do a Best of Write with Fey post, so here are the most popular posts from my blog for 2015:


Top 5 Best Writing About Posts:

1. Writing About: Winter -  This was my first seasonal post and the one with the most views, comments, and shares.

2. Writing About: Witches – A lot of commenters thank me for shining a light on what real witches are versus what society has pegged them to be.

3. Writing About: School – So many told me about their time in school and about being bullied. It was wonderful and heartbreaking.

4. Writing About: A Corpse – I got more feedback on this one than I thought I would’ve.

5. Writing About: Ghosts (Part 2) – Even more tips on how to write about a ghostly character.



Top 10 Best Random Posts:

1. Blog Post Ideas – This post is a list of blog post ideas for those who struggle to find something to blog about.

2. Dear Mom – A letter I wrote for my mom.

3. Nature in a Frame – A Kid’s Project – This is a neat nature project you can do with your kids/grandkids/nieces or nephews.

4. I’m a Tree Hugger! – My best tree photography.

5. A Kick in the Butt / IWSG – I shared an email that kicked me in the butt.

6. My Sunflowers – Pictures of the sunflowers I grew from seeds.

7. Self-Defense Tips – Self-Defense tips that anyone can do.

8. Bullying Awareness Project – A project to teach kids about the impact of bullying and hurtful words.

9. 15 Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas – A list of easy, crafty Christmas gift ideas.

10. 12 Days of Writer’s Christmas – A fun poem...go ahead...sing it!



Top 10 Best Publishing Posts:

1. Blogging 101 – tips on how to create a blog, get readers, and even to spice up an existing blog.

2. How to Create an Author Facebook Page – step-by-step tips and advice on how to get likes.

3. The Ultimate Editing List – the title pretty much says it all.

4. Organization Tips – for writers, authors, and bloggers.

5. How to Write an Author Bio – again, self-explanatory.

6. Working with a Cover Artist – advice on how to get a cover image you want and how to work with a cover artist.

7. How to do a Cover Reveal – Techniques for how to do a cover reveal.

8. Book Release Party – Tips on how to host a successful Facebook book release party.

9. Getting Reviews – Full of tips on how to get more reviews for your books.

10. How to Promote Free Days – This post will tell you how to get the most out of your book’s free days.



Top 10 Best A to Z Posts:

1. A is for Avalanche (most comments)










**********************************************

If you want to participate in R.A.N.T.
hosted by J.A.Scott, you can find me details HERE.

It really bothers me when people say, “It’s Merry Christmas, not Happy Holidays!” Why can’t it be a merry Christmas for you and a happy holiday for someone else?

What's so wrong about saying “Happy Holidays” anyway? Wishing someone happiness during this lovely time of the year is a Christian thing to do. I'm Christian and if someone me tells me “Happy Holidays” I smile and say it back, because by saying that they are wishing me a happy Christmas and New Year. I even say “Happy Holidays” to strangers.

People get so mad over this phrase because they dont believe in the other holidays/religions, but this season is not meant to be a time of anger. So, say “Happy Holidays” to someone and see how it brightens up their faces. Let that brighten you.

***

Well, that’s it for 2015. I’m taking a blogging break starting...now! I’ll be back in 2016. :)

XOXO,
Chrys Fey



Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!


90 comments:

  1. Happy holidays covers both Christmas and New Year's, so it's all right.
    My wife always picks Christmas cards that say Christmas not holiday though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's how I always viewed "Happy Holidays" as well...in incorporate the New Year.

      Delete
  2. I hope you're feeling better after the dental surgery!

    I remember the sunflowers post! :)

    If I know what holiday someone celebrates, then I wish them that. If I don't know then I go with Happy Holidays.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Madeline!

      I miss my sunflowers. :(

      That's just what I do. :)

      Delete
  3. Happy holidays or merry christmas works for me. No one should be forced to say either, say what they please. Blah to the dentist though, hopefully that feels better soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I say one or the other whenever I feel they are right. Thanks, Pat!

      Delete
  4. Hoping you feel better soon after the surgery and that everything went well with it :) How cute you do the top 10 posts like this :) It was a good blogging year for you indeed I do believe :)

    I have to agree with your thoughts about Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I hadn't thought of it in that perspective before, but it does make sense :)

    betty

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  5. There are numerous holidays celebrated in December the world over. Happy Holidays covers them all. It's pretty simple really, but if someone says Merry Christmas, I wish them the same. I don't think anyone is going around wishing folks a Happy Holiday as a means to insult - now that's ridiculous - but for FOX News ridiculous is normal. :)

    Hope you are feeling better soon!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. That's what I like about "Happy Holidays" but that's also the same reason so many don't like it...because they feel their religion is superior and Christmas is the only holiday you should be celebrating.

      Thanks!

      Delete
  6. Happy holidays covers everything. I just don't like Merry XMas.

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    1. Exactly, which is why I never understood why people get so mad about it.

      Delete
  7. Happy Holidays covers all possible winter holidays, and reflects the fact that we have more than one religion/culture in the U.S. I'm glad we don't live in the 1950s anymore. These days, we can also never assume anything, whether based on appearance, name, or location. You might be talking to one of the few Catholics in a heavily Jewish neighborhood, or a religious Jew with an Irish surname.

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    1. I think that's what people don't like about it. Many Christians I know don't support other religions and believe theirs is the only right one. That's why they hate the phrase "Happy Holidays."

      Delete
  8. I hope you feel better soon. I hope the dental surgery wasn't too painful. I don't mind if someone says Happy Holidays. They are simply wishing you well. Nothing offensive about that. Have a lovely Christmas and New Year.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Exactly! No harm in those words at all. :)

      Thank you, Murees! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

      Delete
  9. I completely agree that it's the sentiment behind the greeting rather than the words. We don't have the same problem in the UK because we don't really use the phrase 'Happy Holidays'. But I'd have no problem with any way people wish to say it.

    I hope you feel better soon.

    Your list of blog posts must have taken ages - it's really fun to revisit posts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it's the sentiment. Not about religions as those who hate the phrase "Happy Holidays" makes it out to be.

      Thanks, Annalisa!

      Delete
  10. Thanks for all the links. I need to check on some of them, especially the one about getting reviews, which I'm in the process of doing now. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to you. Enjoy your break.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome, Beverly! Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! :D

      Delete
  11. Happy winter solstice! (I celebrate that because I like to know the days are getting lighter and spring getting earlier.)

    Surely wishing someone else a happy day is a good thing, even if they don't have the same beliefs or use the same words?

    Happy Christmas! (Why have one happy day when you can have two?)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I celebrate the winter solstice and Christmas. :D

      My thoughts exactly, Patsy.

      Delete
  12. You have been busy in 2015 and I remember many of these posts. Thanks for all the suggestions and help and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year's Eve. I've been taking an unintentional blog sabbatical for the past three weeks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I have been busy with this blog. This is my first real break since I started it.

      Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

      Delete
  13. Hi Chrys - hope the dentistry went off happily. I personally loathe happy holidays - but then that's me being picky! I'll have my merry Christmas .. but I do use enjoy the festive season .. if too many merry Christmases are around ...

    Anyway - recover enough to eat some 'happy' food ... cheers and just enjoy! All the very best for 2016 ... Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Hilary. I sure do miss eating normal food. I hope I can eat good for Christmas.

      Delete
  14. Hi Chrys, what an amazing round up! All your hard work over the year laid right out for us to click and enjoy! I agree with you about the Happy Holidays sentiment. I hope you recover quickly from your dental surgery. Get lots of rest on your blog break. I'll be seeing you over at instagram :) Merry Christmas Chrys, and thank you for your wonderful blog and all the knowledge and tips you share!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for such a lovely comment. I'm glad my blog and the posts I share are appreciated. Merry Christmas to you, Lisa! I'll see you around. :)

      Delete
  15. It's like they say. Po-TAY-Toe, Po-TAH-Toe. It doesn't matter how you say something, it's the intent behind what you are saying. I hate when people are adamant that it's a Holiday Party, when it's clearly a Christmas Party. Changing the words, doesn't change what it is. Some people, I think, just like to complain about something that really isn't a problem.

    Of course, it's my same thought with a "Bad" word. So a euphonium is replaced for the word. Both mean the same thing, but one is "bad". I don't feel there are bad words. Just bad intents behind the words. That's what people should be concentrating on, not quibbling over the word or phraseology.

    Have a good break Chrys! See you in 2016!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right. The good intentions behind it should be what we pay attention to, not the specific phrase.

      Delete
  16. I love that writing about a corpse is right up there with writing about school! Sorry about the dental surgery. Hope you heal quickly. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL! Two very different sides of the spectrum, huh?

      Thank you, C Lee!

      Delete
  17. Wow!The recap is as impressive in content as it is in size - No wonder you're taking a break! And I hope the surgery heals quickly. It's natural I guess, to feel defensive when presented with opposition - such as a difference of opinion. Both sides fear their view might be threatened, but isn't it the thought, especially when both mean essentially the same thing, that counts?
    Have a magical Christmas, lady Chrys - and joyous holidays too! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am well overdue for a break. This is my first break since I started my blog
      I used to blog all throughout the holidays.

      I couldn't have said it better myself. The meaning is what counts.

      Merry Christmas, Lady Diedre! :D

      Delete
  18. Your 'letter to your mother' is a post that I really remember. Happy holidays works for me though I usually say Merry Christmas if I say it first.

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    Replies
    1. I'm glad the letter to my mom is the post you remember, Susan. :)

      Delete
  19. You had a good blogging year. I look forward to more in 2016. Sure hope you heal quickly from dental surgery. That's never fun. Enjoy your holidays!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Some people look for things to be upset about. So, the whole Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays is a boon for them.

    Great idea to highlight your top posts from the year. Have a great break.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And it's horrible they look for things to be upset about during the holiday season.

      Thanjs, Liz!

      Delete
  21. I always sigh and shake my head when people get upset about that whole thing. I'm happy to say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays or Happy Festivas! (Which some of my friends celebrate.) Making someone smile is a gift in itself. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I shake my head too, especially when I hear it from the same people every year. It gets tiring and annoying.

      Delete
  22. Just tell those people who are bothered by it Merry Christmas and assure them you'll always protect their rights to a Merry Christmas. I believe the movement is a backlash based on the fear (whether real or not) that what they hold sacred is being diminished. I think all people of all religions worry about the secular encroachment, be it Christian, Muslim, Jewish or what not.

    Personally, I'm not offended by Happy Holidays, especially from a stranger. They don't know me. They don't know I's a Christian. And personally, I'd wish my Jewish friends Happy Hanukkah, my Muslim friends a Happy Ramadan, and my atheist friends...I'd just do a whole lot of praying for them. Whether they like it or not. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes. I wish my friends a happy holiday for whatever they celebrate.

      Delete
  23. For some people Christmas is just like another day,
    I for one will be alone but in my heart will remember Christmas past when I had a husband, and family and Christmas was great fun. I will be putting the finishing touches to my new book. Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy and healthy New Year.
    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will be thinking about you this Christmas, Yvonne.

      Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

      Delete
  24. Great looking back post, Chrys. I've enjoyed all the posts of yours I've had time to read and ponder upon. I don't know what all the fuss is about Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. It's like it isn't politically correct to say Merry Christmas anymore as it's a Christian festivity. However, I have no trouble saying enjoy Eid or Happy Hannukah etc. Let's respect each other's beliefs and get on with being happy!

    Merry Christmas Chrys!

    Denise :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, respect each other's beliefs and have a happy season. :)

      Delete
  25. Hope you feel better soon and your holidays are full of fun and cheer. See you next year. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sherry! Happy Holidays! See you next year! :)

      Delete
  26. You and I think down the same path. Who cares what its called? Good cheer should just be a good cheer. :-)

    Anna from elements of emaginette

    ReplyDelete
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    1. And good cheer is what we should be spreading. :)

      Delete
  27. This is a great post with all the links in one. Thanks for doing this Chrys. All the best.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Happy holidays, Chrys! I totally agree with you. Not everyone is Christian, and "Happy holidays" can include Hanukkah too. I have many Jewish friends, but I didn't always know they were Jewish.

    I like happy holidays because it's inclusive, not "politically correct."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's why I like it too. I don't discriminate. I believe "happy holidays" is appropriate and kind to say. But so many don't like it because they don't believe in the other holidays. *sigh*

      Delete
  29. When you realize that holiday actually means Holy Day, it makes a difference. I like Merry Christmas, but I like Happy Holidays, too.
    Wishing you both! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Holiday...Holy Day. I hadn't made that connection. Wow. :)

      Delete
  30. I like how you did your best of 2015 with the separate categories. I remember reading some of those posts :) I agree with the happy holidays, I thought it meant Christmas and the New Year until people started making a big fuss about it. I hope you have a pleasant break, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought the same thing. Oh well, I'll still say it. And I'll say it to those I know who make a fuss about it. ;)

      Delete
  31. I have Christian friends and Jewish friends and send cards out. So I buy one that says 'Merry Christmas' and one that says 'Happy Holidays'. When I'm out around town, I say Happy Holidays. I've never heard anyone around here complain about that term.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're lucky. I've seen it all over Facebook a few years in a row.

      Delete
  32. wow - lots of great posts this year!
    and people just seem to get offended over everything these days... i say whatever comes to mind first. and i worry less about offending people these days - i dont intend to, but anything can be taken the wrong way!

    merry, happy, jolly christmas, winter, holiday season!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. People do get offended so easily.

      Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!

      Delete
  33. How time flies! It's been a year of great posts and stories here.

    Happy holidays!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Luz. I have more planned for 2016. :)

      Happy Holidays!

      Delete
  34. Oh dental surgery. Hope you're healing from that ok. I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth surgically removed a few years ago and the oral surgeon fractured my jaw and I couldn't open my mouth more than an inch for well over a month. ouch.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup, I had all if my wisdom teeth removed too. I couldn't open my mouth bigger than an inch for about 6 days but now I can. Ouch is right...I can't imagine the pain of a fractured jaw.

      Delete
  35. Hey Chrys,

    A mighty fine list of popular posts by your good self. Okay, you lost me at the dreaded alphabet challenge thingy. What with me being, "the official anti-A to Z Challenge spokesman", as bestowed on me by the dude that started the darned thing! :)

    Sorry about your dental issues, although I'm sure your wisdom is still there. And please, whatever you do, do not type with your teeth...

    Gary

    ReplyDelete
  36. I agree! If someone says to me merry Christmas or happy Hanukkah or joyous kawanza or happy holidays.. I say it back because they're wishing me a good time and that's nice of them. Why get bent out of shape about that?

    Wishing you a speedy dental recovery! I know how much that can suck :(

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  37. I say 'Happy Holidays' all the time, lol. Not once have I thought anyone would be annoyed by it (and if anyone is, meh, it's their problem). Hope you're recovering well from your surgery, Chrys. Enjoy your X'mas break, Happy Holidays, and see you in 2016!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Love the listing of your popular posts for 2015. And I also have no issue saying "Happy Holidays." Not everyone celebrates Christmas; they might celebrate Hanakuah, Kwanzaa, etc. Plus it covers all the holidays including New Year’s. Hope you're enjoying your blogging break and Happy Holidays! ��
    PS Still a staunch believer that a zombie apocalypse is the worst disaster ever.

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  39. Definitely need to check out some of your posts.

    Thanks for the blitz, and a very Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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    Replies
    1. Merry Christmas to you and your family, M Pax!

      Delete
  40. Sorry to hear about the dental surgery! Hope it went well and that you're all recovered, and Happy Holidays/Merry Christmas to you, too! Saying Happy Holidays includes everyone, so I don't get why people would get offended over that. Personally, I would happily reply to just about any holiday wish. People need to chill. lol

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    1. I am all recovered now. Thank you! Merry Christmas, Gisele! Happy Holidays!

      Delete
  41. I agree it's silly to get mad over someone wishing you happy holidays. They're saying something nice to you, for crying out loud. Appreciate it for its intent. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas holiday, Chrys!

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  42. Thanks for this post and links.
    Wishing you a Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  43. I say Merry Christmas, Season's Greetings, or Happy Holidays depending on the person--if they're a stranger or if I know they celebrate. You had amazing posts this year.

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  44. Great to see your end of year post! I hope that your mouth is better after your surgery.

    I am not sure why people get so upset. I think saying Happy Holidays is very nice- you are wishing someone happiness and for them to enjoy whatever holiday or holidays they celebrate. Merry Christmas is nice too- but I don't think we need to get angry if someone says Happy Holidays. We should not spread anger at this time of year (or anytime).

    Great post! Wishing you a healthy and happy 2016!
    ~Jess

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    1. Thank you, Jess! My mouth is much better now. :) I hope you have a healthy and happy 2016 too.

      Delete
  45. Hi Chrys,
    Happy New Year. I just wanted to say thank you for commenting on my blog in 2015--you were one of the top commenters. I love what you are doing on your blog. Here is to a great 2016!

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    Replies
    1. Happy New Year!

      And you're so welcome! Thank you also for commenting on my blog. :)

      Delete