Heathen or not, when it comes to holidays, I say, "Any excuse to party!"
Call yourself a heathen if you want, but not others. We are agnostics and atheists -- not crude, uneducated and unintelligent people. Heathen is a derogatory term.
Regardless of the dictionary definition, when most religious people use the term, they intend it in a derogatory manner. I would rather not use the term under any circumstances.
It could only be construed as derogatory if you called a xtian a heathen, don't you think? Why so up in arms about the word?
You can call me a heathen any day of the week.
It is a badge of honor, showing I don't kneel to anyone - god or man.