In our modern, casual world, "Compliments of the Season" might feel a bit formal for a text message to your best friend. However, it still has a place in modern communication.
High Usage: Nigeria, Ghana, India, Sierra Leone Low/Archival Usage: United States, United Kingdom, Canada West Africa (Nigeria and Ghana) It is the dominant December greeting. People use it in everyday spoken conversations. Radio hosts and TV presenters use it constantly. It appears on billboards, banners, and text blasts. South Asia (India and Pakistan) It remains common in formal corporate emails. Businesses print it on holiday gift baskets. Western Nations (US and UK) It is considered archaic or old-fashioned. "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings" replaced it. Singular vs. Plural: Grammatical Correctness
Think of it like the phrase "My compliments to the chef." You are sending your approval, your respect, and your warmest regards to the recipient for them to enjoy during this time of year.
While “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year” dominate global holiday discourse, the phrase “Compliment of the Season” (often pluralized as “Compliments of the Season”) offers a more formal, inclusive, and grammatically interesting alternative. It serves not as a factual statement but as a social gesture aimed at establishing goodwill. compliment of the season
It is a catch-all phrase. While "Merry Christmas" is specific to December 25th, "Compliments of the Season" covers the whole festive period—from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day.
The invention of the commercial Christmas card in 1843 popularized the phrase. Early holiday cards frequently featured the text: "With the Compliments of the Season." Post-Colonial Shift
Widely used in West African English; grammatically singular. In our modern, casual world, "Compliments of the
Whether you’re writing a corporate holiday card or just curious about language, here is everything you need to know about this festive greeting.
As the year draws to a close and the holiday lights begin to twinkle, our inboxes and mailboxes fill with warm wishes. Among the jingles of "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays," you might spot a more formal, slightly old-fashioned phrase:
If you are penning your own cards this year, keep these grammar tips in mind: People use it in everyday spoken conversations
"With the from the entire executive board. We appreciate your partnership." Text Message to a Colleague
A safe, neutral sign-off for diverse professional networks.