People have been calling Christmas winterval for AGES. It's essentially what Yule means.
Yule was around long before Christmas.
No one ever got upset about people calling it Yule.
Why do they find Winterval so upsetting?
(The Personality Horse www.tinyurl.com/perhor, Fri 23 Dec 2011, 10:39, 3 replies, latest was 14 years ago)

because its the muslings taking away our rights

(Quintno EXPERIMENT RUINED CANCELLED, LEFT 4EVER, Fri 23 Dec 2011, 10:40, Reply)

I farted in a muslings milk.

(The Personality Horse www.tinyurl.com/perhor, Fri 23 Dec 2011, 10:42, Reply)

Because the Daily Mail made made up a story about Birmingham (??) council banning Christmas
and replacing it with Winterval, when in fact they were just using the name Winterval to cover Christmas, Hanukkah and whatever it is the other forrins celebrate. It's a classic "political correctness gone MAAAAAAD!" story, i.e. almost completely made up.
( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Fri 23 Dec 2011, 10:45, Reply)

Well, quite. I mean, I know all that.
But even if it were true (which it isn't) why get so worked up? It's entirely synonymous with the word "Yule", which has never upset anyone.
(The Personality Horse www.tinyurl.com/perhor, Fri 23 Dec 2011, 10:49, Reply)

Not quite.
Yule is the ancient Pagan festival, Winterval is a more modern invention, not that I'm bothered. as for why get worked up, *shrug* you'd have to ask someone who is. I'm not fussed what it's called.
( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Fri 23 Dec 2011, 10:52, Reply)

Because it's a horrible portmanteau and just sounds bent.
Yule sounds nicely archaic, Winterval sounds like a promotional event at a regional shopping centre.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Fri 23 Dec 2011, 10:51, Reply)

Yeah, but it annoys people and I like annoying people.

( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Fri 23 Dec 2011, 10:52, Reply)

You should call it 'I hate niggers' then.

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Fri 23 Dec 2011, 10:54, Reply)

You'd be hugely popular in New Cross.

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Fri 23 Dec 2011, 10:58, Reply)

Wouldn't dream of stealing your shtick old boy

( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Fri 23 Dec 2011, 10:58, Reply)