Question: how to say merry christmas to someone who is grieving?
Answer: You can say, “I wanted to wish you a merry Christmas, but do you mind if I give you a hug?” That can work very well if you're close to someone. There's one trap to watch out for, though. It's tempting to say something like “I know what you're going through”, or “I know it's hard,” and close with Christmas wishes.