I just got back from celebrating Christmas with my family in New Mexico. While visiting former co-workers, we all got hung up on catching up instead of the holiday. The only one to wish me a Merry Christmas was Jewish! I thought it was awesome! I agree with you we should learn from each other.

Karen, Waitsburg, WA

I'm with Daniel...can't do it. And I'm a mick (catholic). PC is what I am and what I do. Happy Festivus!! Bring out the pole!

Julie Cole, Burlington, ON
www.mabel.ca

Merry Christmas, Scott. My kids & I celebrate this as a social holiday. The origins of Christmas are not Christian, though. This time of year had long been a 'pagan' celebration. The church essentially hijacked it to distract attention from the existing pagan events, much as they did when choosing dates for other Christian holidays. Whether you celebrate Hanakah, Kwanzaa, the Christian Christmas, or the Solstice, it's a time for family, friends, peace. From my family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy Ne Year! @MrMomInVA

Bob Snitchler, Front Royal, VA

YES. I was just having this conversation with my boss at a Christmas lunch the other day -- yes, a Christmas lunch. It's sad that our fascination with political correctness has altered the really enviable goals of multiculturalism. Because now, society is "we would love to hear more about your religion -- unless you're Christian" I say Happy Holidays. I get holidays even though the next major holiday in my religion isn't until close to Mid January. So I'm Happy that I get Holidays ;) But let's be real; Let's call a spade a spade, and a christmas tree a christmas tree. Japman
Japman Bajaj, Ottawa, Ontario

Scott, I wish you had sent this earlier because it was so much better expressed than the rant I just shared on my blog! Merry Christmas to you and yours my friend.
David, Los Angeles, California
http://www.MrPositiveBlog.com

Right on....Merry Christmas indeed...well said.
John Keefe, Waltham, MA

My favourite quotation from this article: "We've moved too far on the scale of correctness to achieve equality, which is the practice of treating everyone equal, instead of searching for equity, which is acknowledging our differences, and embracing them." Yes, Yes, Yes!!!! Love it. And Merry Christmas to you and yours. I've said it for years, and I will continue to say it.
Angela Herron, Vancouver, BC

Merry Christmas to you as well. And Happy Holidays to the PC crowd!!

Mike, Oakville, Ontario
http://www.itsallaboutheleaf.com

Meh, just because it's had Christ in the name for the past 1500 years or so doesn't give it Christian origins. Marking the darkest time of the year by adding light and feasting and festivity, and attaching culturally appropriate gods, is one of the oldest human holiday-type activities. So its appropriate, to wish people love and light and cheer in whatever wording feels comfortable to you. And saying Happy Holidays is appropriate, because these have been Holy Days since before the dawn of civilization. That's what the Solstice, or whatever name you choose to give it, is all about. And people can call it a Holiday Tree if they want, because in Northern climes, the mid-winter holy days have been brightened with bits of local evergreenery for millenia, since long before Christ. And on that note, what does a confierous tree have to do with a manger in a desert anyway? Nothin!

Kevin, Waterloo, ON

You're right - it's time to embrace the love and meaning behind the words instead of focusing on the words themselves. Merry Christmas Scott!

Sharon, Ontario, Canada
http://www.yummymummyclub.ca/the_inside_scoop

Merry Christmas to you as well. I have greatly appreciated your contribution to the social web this year. Enjoy your Christmas with your son! Cheers, Jennifer Fong

Jennifer Fong, Metuchen, NJ
http://jenfongspeaks.com

It's to a point now where I'm surprised when people say Merry Christmas to me, which is ridiculous. I enjoy hearing it, I enjoy saying it. Thanks for an honest post.

Ainse, Newmarket, Ontario
www.twitter.com/Ainse

Merry Christmas to you too Scott!!I am not a religious person and have never taken offense to any type of good will wish bestowed upon me :) I have stopped myself from saying Merry Christmas in recent years to be PC but this year I feel like saying it sorry if I offend anyone. I have even felt strange about using Xmas on twitter to conserve characters... I understand the whole Christ's mass thing and while not Catholic I mean no offense, just saving space. I actually have been liking Happy Christmas lately for a bit of a change... Makes me remember Christmases spent in England as a child. Happy Christmas everyone :)

Jill, Kitchener, ON

I agree with the sentiment but I personally avoid the term Merry Christmas. I prefer "Happy Holidays" or I simply wish people to "Have a wonderful holiday!" Not being a religious person I prefer to think of the end of the year as a time to rest from the work done in the last 12 months. The time I spend with my family is all "Christmas" is about. Any other meaning behind it is irrelevant to the rest and the time I get to spend with my loved ones. So to all - "Have a wonderful holiday!"

Daniel Thompson, Toronto, Ontario
www.danielthompsonbeauty.com

Scott, you mean I spent all this time learning to spell "Merry Hanukwanzmas" for nothing? Merry Christmas to you and yours :)

Merlene, Stoney Creek, ON
http://frugalfamilylife.com

MERRY CHRISTMAS Scott! Man...it feels great to actually say it. ;-)

Becki Noles, Harrisburg, PA
http://www.virtualaccuracy.com/blog/

Scott - I've been a following you on Twitter a long time. Just have to say - I think this is one of my favorite posts of yours. Love the opinion and totally agree. Merry Christmas to you!

VaNessa, Ridgefield, WA
www.allthingsmarketingandmore.com

Well said! I think embracing every festive event of this holiday season is the only way to create knowledge and understanding across the board. My family celebrates Yule aka Winter Solstice and the Santa bit of Christmas. I embrace when people wish me a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, etc.. Lets share in the festivities, lets not create more tension. It goes the same way, I think, for those who WANT to say "Happy Holidays!" ... the anti-Happy-Holidays people are just as guilty. Last time I checked there is more than one holiday in the month of December. Peace and Merry Christmas! :)

Samantha, Brantford, ON

Buon Natale to you too!

Consuelo Bernardi, Ottawa, ON

I would only add that if your kid is the kind who hears adults say "naughty" words and then comments "Hey! There's a kid here!", then you, his or her parents, shouldn't worry too much about the bad language in this movie (which seemed to be mostly at the beginning, during the more-human-populated scenes), but know that it's there.

Junior, Cincinnati, OH

Love your video, thanks!

LaVon, Atl, Ga

Good on ya Scott. Everyone could make a little effort to get off the politically correct horse and get along. Doesn't hurt anyone to greet, smile, and wish them some merriment at a time of celebration, family and love. Man hugz dude.

Brendon, Sydney, NSW, Australia
http://www.centricconsulting.com.au/blogcentric

Undaddy/Unmarketing - You crack me up. Love how u do your videos. To the lady who wants to take her kids to see Sherlock Holmes, be wary. Guy Richie is a great movie director but his movies are more adult than anything else. That being said, I wanna go see both those movies! Happy Holidays everyone!

Karim Kanji, Toronto, ON
http://inspirationbykarim.blogspot.com

Love your videos - you just crack me up! And appreciate the review - will be interested to see how Owen and his brother do.
Lisa Marie Mary, Anniston, AL
http://www.bookwormbroadcast.com

I'm gonna skip this one, but I did let Rebecca (4) watch the Thriller video... does that make me a bad mom? ; )
Maureen, Georgetown, Ontario

Very funny and also great review. The honest truth is as was said, each parent must decide for their own kids. But remember parents the first time you saw star wars... Was it scary? Maybe? Was it worth it? :)

Julia, Ottawa, Ontario

My son is 10, when there's movies like this often we do the WAIT FOR VIDEO. It's a lot less intense without the darkness & BIG SCREEN BIG SOUND that they go on about. That being said we go & see all the "HERO" type action movies TRANSFORMERS, GI JOE, IRON MAN etc, so the movie we're wondering about is SHERLOCK HOLMES. The trailer we saw was full of action & special effects (if not for us then it's off to ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS the SQUEAKUL)

Lisa (aka @those2girls), Kitchener, Ont
http://itsnoteasyraisingatween.blogspot.com/

That was a funny review! I don't even have kids, but I sat there in suspense... waiting to hear what Scott has to say next. I am now definitely going to view it on Imax3d, before any other method! Thanks for the great review. How's the plot / acting?

CouchSurfingOri.com, Austin, TX
http://CouchSurfingOri.com

I just wanted to say that this was one of the funniest reviews of a movie that I have ever seen. Scott cracks me up and I don't know how he can keep a straight face throughout that video.

Brendan Wenzel, Boston, MA
http://brendanwenzel.net

I took my 2 sons -- 6 and 10 -- they loved it. As did I -- the only really scary part for the 6-yr-old was the first animal attack at night. The blue creatures were not scary at all to them. Plus people should take their kids so they can get the anti-war and pro-environment messages in it. Oh and it'a a totally engrossing, fun movie!

Sarah, Los Angeles, CA
http://www.MarVistaMom.com

Thanks for the review from a parents perspective. I was having trouble determining whether to take my 6 and 10 (soon to be 7 and 11) year-old boys to this film. I remember seeing Star Wars when I was 9 in 1977 and it really defined much of my childhood. I am hoping for the same kind of "wow experience" with this movie for my own children.

Blaine B., Chicago, IL
http://addicted2golf.net

You and I are pretty much in the same boat as for the ages of our kids Scott. My boys are 11 and I seem to think along the lines that you do. You made it a lot easier with the Lord of the Rings comparison. I held off letting them see those for ages until one day i just said "Fine! If you have nightmares about those Orc things don't come to me!" They didn't and all was well. Plus, they play Halo so all will be well. You know, in my day those Orcs would have given ME nightmares...

Tim Scammell, New Maryland, New Brunswick
http://tim4nm.blogspot.com/

I also have an 8-year-old son named Owen. I've been debating with my wife whether or not we'd bring him and his 6-year-old sister to see this movie. Thanks for the info!

Perry, Tampa, FL
www.grabaclue.com/perry

LOVED you video commentary!!! Hysterical! We'll go- my gal is 12 going on 30. (o:

Sharron, Toronto, ON
www.arttherapyformoms.blogspot.com

Good way to compare to LoTR...and yes, based on that, am going to take my three boys (6, 12 and 15) to Avatar this weekend.. the 6 year old doesn't scare easy, and hey, we don't have 3D in Cayman at the cinema. One other thought for parents.. a great site to get parental guidance is the British Board of Film Control site for parents, http://www.pbbfc.co.uk/ gives detailed explanations for parents on what could be un-kidfriendly...but boy, it is detailed to the level of giving spoilers sometimes, so be warned if YOU want to watch the movie for your own pleasure !

Tom McCallum, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
http://mccallumsolutions.com

THANK YOU! I have an 8 year old as well and I have been trying to find a review of Avatar that talked about something other than how Cameron is King of the World again. And yes, I know what you mean about paying for it. My daughter and I are going through Buffy the Vampire Slayer series, season by season. Lots to explain there... Thanks again!

JoAnne, Urbana, IL
http://jgeigner.blogspot.com/

I think I enjoyed your review for more than I'd enjoy the movie! Great job.

Natalie @YMCbuzz, Mississauga, ON
http://www.YummyMummyClub.ca