There is something wrong with the year-end holidays in America. The true Christmas spirit is missing.
Not that Santa Claus is stuck in the chimney with his bulging gift loads, nor is Rudolph the reindeer's red nose losing its shine.
The situation is more serious. In the States, the once ubiquitous and timely phrase 'Merry Xmas' has started to disappear into the footnote of history.
From department store giants such as Macy's, JCPenney and, Bloomingdale's, to small shops in rural neighbourhoods, American corporations are refraining from putting the catchy phrase 'Merry Christmas' or 'Merry Xmas' in their store decorations or window displays.
More and more newspaper advertisements featuring holiday gifts feature red ribbons printed with 'Seasons Greetings' or 'Happy Holidays' instead.
At street level, it is becoming trendy for Americans to ditch the traditional phrase and switch to the new alternative to greet their friends and strangers in streets or at other social occasions. Even radio and television hosts call it 'that special time of the year' or 'the time for giving' in their broadcasts.