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Official 2006 Christmas Logo Thread

Brinke Guthrie [PersonRank 10]

Monday, December 11, 2006
17 years ago12,674 views

And it kicks off with Yahoo!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/brinkeguthrie/untitled-9.jpg

David Hetfield [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

and where's Google in the picture?

Brinke Guthrie [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

Another logo from Yahoo!; nothing from Google or Ask yet.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/brinkeguthrie/untitled-12.jpg

Mrrix32 [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

One Google One:
http://earth.google.com/santa/images/earth.gif

David Hetfield [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

the above logos are pretty lame..
dont you think Brinke?

Brinke Guthrie [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

the yahoo ones? well, they have animation, which is neat.

David Hetfield [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

yeah the Yahoo! ones..
even though they have animation, its still lame..

Brinke Guthrie [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

http://events.yahoo.com/holiday06/

Brinke Guthrie [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

It's December 20th. Where's the Christmas logo?

Pau Tomàs [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

It's there!
http://www.google.com/logos/holiday06_1.gif

http://www.google.com/doodle12.html

TOMHTML [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

It doesn't seem to be as funny as usual... :-S

David Hetfield [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

lol..
youre right Tom :/

i didnt really like it..
on a scale from 1 to 10, ill give it a 4

justin [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

why does the Google logo say "happy holidays" when it should be "happy christmas?"

is the word "christmas" banned in the U.S.?

David Hetfield [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

i guess theres gonna be another logo..
http://www.google.com/doodle12.html

maybe it will be better than the first one..

Tony Ruscoe [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

>> It doesn't seem to be as funny as usual...

>> maybe it will be better than the first one..

Maybe that's this year's story / theme – i.e. it starts out as a crap logo and gradually turns into a kick ass one?

Tony Ruscoe [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

>> is the word "christmas" banned in the U.S.?

Justin, I'm not sure about the US but it's definitely illegal* to use the word "Christmas" in the UK in case you offend someone who's listening and isn't a Christian.

* Of course, this is not true... ;-) It's not really illegal but it seems to be more and more politically incorrect each year!

David Hetfield [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

yeah i guess youre right Tony..
i dont think Google needs another lawsuit right now.. :)

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

> i.e. it starts out as a crap logo and gradually
> turns into a kick ass one?

Wishful thinking? hehehe

About all that holiday political correctness stuff... why doesn't Google just cover different holidays that people might *not* already know and specifically *not* celebrate? At least you'd learn something. Here's the holiday list for 2007...
http://www.interfaithcalendar.org/2007.htm

So then we'd have Ramadan, Christmas, Hanukkah, etc. and all countries would get the same logo, and there'd be something you *don't* celebrate for everyone. I remember living in Malaysia it was really cool to have both Ramadan and Christmas... yep, they even put up Christmas trees in the shopping mall and it's an officialy Muslim country.

And then we tackle the problem of global time...

Tony Ruscoe [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

Philipp, I agree that's what they should do.

Or perhaps that needs to be another localization option for the home page, enabling you to choose the following:

   * Location
   * Language
   * Belief

That way, you could get logos and seasonal greetings that wouldn't offend you...

Ionut Alex. Chitu [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

I had this problem recently. I was about to title a post: "Christmas Spirit on Google Pages" but I changed Christmas with Holiday. That's because Google also celebrated Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

Pau Tomàs [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

> Or perhaps that needs to be another localization option for the
> home page, enabling you to choose the following:
> * Location
> * Language
> * Belief

Google already has that data if you're an Orkut user :D

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

But "belief" is not enough Tony, for example, Ask celebrating Columbus day may be offensive even to Christians. So I think what you need is a seperate detailed form where you check your political opinions as well. This way, when there's a presidential campaign in the USA for example, you will see your favorite candidate being promoted in the Google logo. The form would be subtle and go something like this:

- You meet Reagan and Kennedy. Whose hand do you shake first?
- Why do you think God has been hiding dinosaur skeletons ages ago?
- Have you been to a Mel Gibson movie lately?
etc.

Tony Ruscoe [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

Pau, good point!

And Philipp, you're totally right. I guess Google still has a lot of work to do if they want to keep *everyone* happy! ;-)

Ionut Alex. Chitu [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

relax

Reto Meier [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

It's not about banning 'Christmas', it's about being more inclusive. There's plenty of people who love Christmas but aren't Christians. Companies recognise that, which is why there's more cards and decorations that don't feature Jesus, angels, and the nativity.

Over the years Christmas has become a placeholder for an amalgam of different cultural and religious celebrations that all occur around the same time of year (near the Northern hemisphere Winter solstice).

For many people (myself included!) it's about the feeling you get at that time of year – with holidays, food, family, and friends.

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

> Over the years Christmas has become a placeholder
> for an amalgam of different cultural and religious
> celebrations

I think the placeholder is "holidays", as in "happy holidays"... at least if I look at the greetings and cards I received.

Reto Meier [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

Yeah, I think you're right. It used to be 'Christmas' but that's too specific, so now we celebrate the more generic 'Holidays' instead.

justin [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

but nobody in the UK says "happy holidays" ...

i'm using the UK google, and it has "happy holidays" on there

http://www.google.co.uk/
.
interesting – it says "happy holidays" on the german google as well

http://www.google.de

justin [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #



"why doesn't Google just cover different holidays that people might *not* already know and specifically *not* celebrate? At least you'd learn something."

very interesting idea – and lots of ideas for the Google Doodlers as well. i like it.

justin [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

this is interesting.

the "happy holidays" doodle is on google arabic

http://www.google.com/intl/ar/

and on google israel...

http://www.google.co.il/

but they didnt do a ramadan doodle
http://oxidativerancidity.blogspot.com/2006/09/shame-on-you-google.html

oops.

justin [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

netweather.tv has a christmas logo

http://www.netweather.tv/images/netweathertv.gif

Reto Meier [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

Justin: On a 1 to 1 level, no, but that's because the vast majority of people in England are Christan – specifically CoE – so they probably are (at least theoretically) celebrating Christmas.

If I was talking to a Christian friend I'd say merry Christmas, if he were Jewish I would wish him a happy Hanukkah, if I were adressing a bunch of people whose religious beliefs I didn't know, I'd go for something more generic – like happy holidays. Makes sense to me that Google try and cover as much ground as possible ;)

S R Behera [PersonRank 1]

17 years ago #

What does " 2: ??? " means in the picture of google.com/doodle12.html

S R Behera [PersonRank 1]

17 years ago #

" Happy Holidays" is the right one as you will get another holiday during new year. as new year and Christmas both fall on Mondy so two long weekends are there.

Tony Ruscoe [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

S R Behera, it's the space for the next logo installment. Take a look at the doodles from last year and you'll understand:

http://www.google.com/doodle10.html

S R Behera [PersonRank 1]

17 years ago #

Thanks a lot Tony...I didn't know that. Today I just clicked on the logo and found that.

justin [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

reto , i dont know where you live, but i've lived in the UK and Ireland and i've never heard anyone say "happy holidays" . its an American phrase thats never caught on over here in a big way.
Even non-religious folks, like myself, just say "happy christmas".

maybe thats because we get longer holidays during the year than most Americans, so saying "happy holidays" doesn't really mean anything, as we Brits get around 20 to 25 days vacation during a year, as well as bank/public holidays.

Reto Meier [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

Justin: UK now, Australia before that, so I agree HH isn't as big here as I think it is in the US – at least not for individuals. But where I work now in London (for example) is very ethnically diverse so I've noticed people are saying have a 'Merry Christmas' less, and things like 'enjoy the holidays' more.

Your milliage may vary :)

Tony Ruscoe [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

I think that "Seasons Greetings" is a more popular alternative to "Merry Christmas" than "Happy Holidays" is here in the UK.

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

Reto, I really see two alternatives:
1. mix everything by showing greetings for different specific holidays, one after another (that was the "interfaith" calendar I pointed to above)
2. mix everything by moving up the ladder to a more generic term (that's the Happy holidays approach)

Of course once you try 1) you're bound to end up not getting the balance perfectly right, so you might be under constant attack :)

2) will only get you in trouble if not everyone has holidays at that time of the year.

I think though we shouldn't assume people are necessarily offended if you wish them a greeting they don't traditionally celebrate. When a Chinese wishes me new year according to the Chinese calendar, which doesn't put the new year on January 1st, I won't be offended... if they're celebrating this I feel like their greetings are involving me, sharing their culture with me, which is nice. Same for the end of Ramadan festival, for example, which I enjoyed in Malaysia even though I'm no Muslim.

justin [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

ah yeah – "enjoy the holidays" i've heard around the place. but "happy holidays" as a greeting is pretty alien to the UK.

i just got this from 123-reg.co.uk (UK domain registrar that i use)

"Dear 123-reg Customer,

We would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very happy Christmas from all the team here at 123-reg! "

S R Behera [PersonRank 1]

17 years ago #

But in switzerland today I got the mail with subject
"Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for 2007"

and the content
   "I wish you all a peaceful and restful holiday period with your family and friends and a prosperous new year."

from the CEO of our company.

Reto Meier [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

Tony: Good call, you're right – I've seen a lot more Season's Greetings than happy holidays!

Philipp: I agree, I'm happy to celebrate everyone's cultural / religious holidays – particularly ones that involve food and time off work! I think though, that there's a perceived difference, particularly in countries that celebrate their multiculturalness, between the majority being invited to share a minorities festivals, and the minority being forced to celebrate the majorities instead of their own. This seems to be the case particularly for Christian celebrations, maybe due to historical reasons?

Either way, understand I'm not arguing right/wrong, just an opinion on what I've observed around me. If Google had a logo for me it would read something like 'Happy Gluttony Week!' and the picture would involve someone not at work, enjoying good food with their loved one :))

Tony Ruscoe [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

<< I think though we shouldn't assume people are necessarily offended if you wish them a greeting they don't traditionally celebrate. >>

I think this is the key to all prejudices. So often it's the case that people censor what they say out of fear that they'll offend the minority – and in doing so they end up offending the majority.

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

> I think though, that there's a perceived difference,
> particularly in countries that celebrate their
> multiculturalness, between the majority being
> invited to share a minorities festivals, and the
> minority being forced to celebrate the majorities
> instead of their own.

Well yeah but when I was in Malaysia Muslims were the majority, and I as non-Muslim was the minority, and as I said, I wasn't offended when I had the end of Ramadan dinner. And I was also happy to wish everyone gong xi fa cai (happy new year) even though I don't really live by the Chinese calendar. You end up having more greetings and holidays, which is actually fun. And they also put up a big fat xmas tree in the shopping mall. (Malaysia has its share of problems, racism and prejudices, but that's another discussion.)

But you suggest it may not be just about majorities or minorities but the past behavior of a certain group, and yeah, I can see that. Christianity throughout history had many crusades which were forcing other people to adopt their religion. Maybe that's why "Merry Christmas" is not welcome, because it reminds people of these crusades?

justin [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

"I think this is the key to all prejudices. So often it's the case that people censor what they say out of fear that they'll offend the minority – and in doing so they end up offending the majority."

indeed. UK political correctness around christmas went a bit nutty with the Birmingham "winterval" re-branding – until it was pointed out to the local council that Muslims weren't offended by christmas. in fact, if memory serves me right, it was the Muslims in Birmingham that complained the most about the rebranding!

justin [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

"because it reminds people of these crusades?"

The flag of England is a pretty much "in your face" reminder of the crusades. but there really comes a point where folks should just chill out about stuff that happened centuries ago.

justin [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

"I wasn't offended when I had the end of Ramadan dinner."

i wasnt offended by the local Diwali fireworks display. damn good fun actually. I've noticed that Diwali is becoming more mainstream in the UK at least – lots more people are aware of it nowadays and generally just join in, even if they arent Hindu.

Reto Meier [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

"...but there really comes a point where folks should just chill out about stuff that happened centuries ago."

Well, it's always easier to say when you're on the 'winning' side, but I don't know your background and I *do* undersand your point. Far too much conflict around the world seems to be based on things that happened well before anyone alive was born.

"Maybe that's why "Merry Christmas" is not welcome, because it reminds people of these crusades?"

I think that's a part of it, also in democracies I think people are sensitive to being ignored and marginalised (and are vocal about it!). A lot of it is just political correctness, but it _is_ more inclusive and less likely to cause offense. People may think it's stupid but it's unlikely anyone's ever been 'offended' when being wished happy holidays :)

justin [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

found more christmas logos

http://www.savastore.com/gfx/newlogo.gif

http://www.dabs.com/images/1/dabs_logo.gif

Reto Meier [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

"I wasn't offended when I had the end of Ramadan dinner."

I can live without the fast, but count me in for the feast! :)

"I wasnt offended by the local Diwali fireworks display..."

Here, here! The more celebrations the better!

David Hetfield [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

heres the new one:
http://www.google.com/logos/holiday06_2.gif

and its seems to be a 3rd one too :)

Jake's View [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

I can't see the 2nd one on the results page, but I can see it on the homepage.

Jake's View [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

Now I can see it.

Mrrix32 [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

Third one:
http://www.google.com/logos/holiday06_3.gif

Brinke Guthrie [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

Nice job from various world Yahoo's!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/brinkeguthrie/5.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/brinkeguthrie/4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/brinkeguthrie/3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/brinkeguthrie/2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/brinkeguthrie/1.jpg

Ionut Alex. Chitu [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

I like this one:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/brinkeguthrie/3.jpg

David Hetfield [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

Yahoo! 7? (guess not)
what is that really?

Brinke Guthrie [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

That's Yahoo Australia.
http://au.yahoo.com/
http://www.sevencorporate.com.au/page.asp?partid=42

David Hetfield [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

oh, ok.. thanks Brinke :)
didnt know that

Brinke Guthrie [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

Find more world Yahoos! here:

http://world.yahoo.com/

Mrrix32 [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

From Wikipedia
<<Yahoo!7 is an Australian internet portal that is owned by a 50-50 partnership consisting of the Seven Network and Yahoo! Inc.. The portal was launched on January 30, 2006.>>
So TV is taking over the Internet now? What about all those people saying the Internet's killing TV :-)

David Hetfield [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

lolll...
Google is about to take over on television and radio, and Yahoo! is taken over by a television network.

hehe :)

David Hetfield [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

4th one:
http://www.google.com/logos/holiday06_4.gif

Brinke Guthrie [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

#5, Merry Christmas!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/brinkeguthrie/untitled-15.jpg

moe howard [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

when you hover your mouse over the logo- it says "happy holidays"

It's the 25th of december- the only thing happening is xmas.!

any other day it's picasso's birthday, or st patricks.

I hate this whole killing xmas thing

Travis [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

Firstly, just because you dont celebrate something doesnt mean you have to stop others from celebrating it. If you so offended then you should choose to go to work and get overtime pay. Secondly, Kwanzaa is made up.

Travis [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

And just a quick not about the crusades, its obvious you people havent read much about the crusades. The crusades began when muslims invaded christian countries and forced christians into the muslim religion, i notice you conviently had it backwards, im sure for no particular reason other than ignorance.

Sankar Anand [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

Yahoo India has a different logo! not a christmas logo but a countdown logo for Newyear....

http://l.yimg.com/in.yimg.com/i/in/newhomepage/nk_yahoo_countdown.swf

and the screenshot here

http://static.zooomr.com/images/564189_5336d675c5_m.jpg

David Hetfield [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

At last ;
a cool logo from Yahoo!.
Thanks you Sankar :)

plus,
Google is now promoting Picasa on Google's homepage.
it says:
Organise and share your pictures with Google's photo software.
theres also a link :
http://picasa.google.com/intl/en_uk/#utm_source=en-uk-hpp-pic&utm_medium=hpp&utm_campaign=en-uk

Rob [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

Since Google's page (http://www.google.com/doodle12.html) has a translation of "Happy Holidays" into 8 other languages, couldn't they give us a British English translation as well?

"Happy Holidays" just sounds ridiculous to British ears. Nobody here ever says that (thank God). If you really have to avoid mention of Christmas, then "Seasons Greetings" is the only acceptable phrase in British English.

Merry Christmas, everyone.
Rob

Brinke Guthrie [PersonRank 10]

17 years ago #

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/brinkeguthrie/untitled-16.jpg

superwoman [PersonRank 0]

17 years ago #

hey the only reason they said happy holidays is cause there is just more than christmas celebrated during christmas vacation they use holiday to represent the christmas holiday where u get like two weeks off. and plus it would mean they are only celebrating christmas, when there are more than one holiday represented in the vacation. Soooooo that is why they say holiday. glad ur satisfied

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