This Grinch hates......

[DanaC]

Santa Claus has been in fairly common currency over here for a good while now Sundae. Granted, Father Christmas is more usual; but 'Santa' and 'Santa's elves' etc aren't so new.

Also, in fairness: school breaks up for the Christmas Holidays. I don't think 'the holidays are coming' is particularly American. Yes, a holiday is something we go on, as an American goes on a vacation: but we've also retained both the original meaning of a particular holy day and the newer meaning of time off work/school. Though, the global-corporate sensibility of referring to it in faith-neutral, or inter-faith terms I'll give you.