Posted on 12/04/2004 8:31:56 PM PST by CHARLITE
One of the best things about living in America is if you have a sufficient amount of money, you can buy just about anything on the planet legally. You might have to make some phone calls and wait for a while, but eventually you can purchase anything you want. But as anyone who has ever picked the name of the person who wants ''nothing special,'' in the office gift exchange, or has the child who does NOT want the ''Super Plus Dragon Head Crushing Mega-Poke-Zord-o-Saur'' can tell you, some of the hardest things to find are the simplest
Such was my dilemma as I tried do my Christmas shopping this week. I thought I had prepared for anything. I woke up early to beat the crowds, ate a good breakfast for plenty of energy, organized a list of friends and family for whom to purchase gifts, filled my wallet with cash and headed out. The only real limitation I placed on myself would be showing my support for the boycott of Macy’s Department Store by patronizing its competitors.
It seemed like Manuel Zammarano, head of the ''Committee to Save Merry Christmas,'' had a great idea. What better way is there for Americans to really make a statement against the politically correct crowd, who want to make any mention of our Judeo-Christian heritage sacrilege, than by refusing to support the companies who are complicit in their aims? I decided that the ''Committee to Save Merry Christmas'' had such a great idea that I would extend the boycott further and not shop anywhere that did not utilize the words ''Merry Christmas'' in its store visual presentation. After all, I was Christmas shopping! Is it too much to ask for a few signs around the store acknowledging the fact? Evidently, it is. After several fruitless hours in the local malls, I had to admit that if I was going to be faithful to my boycott then my family was going to get a harsh lesson about the real meaning of Christmas because they were not going to get any gifts.
For starters, here is a brief list of the retailers (in addition to Macy’s) who decorate their stores in ''Holiday'' colors in an attempt to separate you from your money, but make no mention of Christmas: Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, Strawbridge’s, The Shoe Department, New York & Co., The Disney Store, Kirkland’s, Gertrude Hawk Chocolates, Banana Republic, JC Penny, Express, Delia’s, Littman Jewelers, Aeropostale, The Limited, The Limited Too, Bombay Co., The Gap, Payless Shoe Source, Charlotte Russe, Gymboree, Wet Seal, Things Remembered, Lord & Taylor, Toys R Us, KB Toys, Radio Shack, Forever 21, Parade of Shoes, Finish Line, Hallmark Shops, and Five Below.
What was really strange was the goofy advertising some retailers used in place of ''Merry Christmas.'' The Fashion Bug will give you free panties if you buy a ''holiday'' sweater. Sears invites you to ''Walk the Wish Walk'' (whatever that means). CVS does not sell Christmas paper to wrap your gifts, but does have a fine selection of ''Traditional Holiday Wrap.'' And three major booksellers may not wish you a ''Merry Christmas'' but make up for it by expanding their ''Gay and Lesbian Literature'' sections toward the front of the stores. Finally, American Eagle has a special on ''Ring My Bells'' boxer shorts to get you into the ''holiday'' spirit.
In the end, only seven retailers made any mention of ''Christmas,'' ''Santa,'' or ''Merry Christmas.'' They are: Kay’s Jewelers, Bath & Body Works, The Whitehall Co., Williams-Sonoma, Party City, Carlton Cards, and Victoria Secret. After I purchased my wife her third panda bear Christmas tree ornament and scented bath beads, I realized that I might be spending all the money I saved on Christmas presents in divorce court unless I did something quick. But what can you do? How can you make a stand for your values when it seems as though the battle may already be lost? Luckily, before I was forced to abandon my boycott, I found that there are indeed many fine retailers who still love Christmas and have the courage to say it. They are our neighborhood businesses, privately owned.
As I returned home in the evening from my shopping adventure, I had the pleasure of visiting stores that offered hand crafted baby dolls, antique HO scale train sets, autographed baseballs and footballs, fine imported watches, authentic Amish quilts, custom fitted shirts and slacks, American made power tools, surround sound home theater systems, pet supplies and gifts (and the pets to go with them), furniture, custom installed pool tables, hot tubs, neon signs saying whatever you want, cigars, musical instruments, and home made pumpkin pies. As an added bonus, each of these businesses had more nativity scenes, elves, lords a leaping and ''Merry Christmases'' than you could shake a stick at, and excellent, personalized, customer service. I found greater quality, selection, and value than anything the cookie cutter mega retailers could ever hope to offer, benefited my local economy, and met dozens of wonderful people in the process. For the first time in my life I actually had fun shopping!
It definitely took more time, thought, and effort on my part, and I definitely had to drive more miles. But, in the end, I found that I had to sacrifice nothing in boycotting businesses that refuse to reflect my values, and I may just have helped a few small stores stay in business for another Christmas.
The private retailer is going the way of ''Merry Christmas'' signs in the malls. Soon neither may be left. This year, as you go out to buy your Christmas gifts, why not do more than just punish the retailers who do not celebrate Christmas? Make that extra stop and reward those who do. Oh, and ''Merry Christmas'' everyone.
About the Writer: BIO: Justin Darr is a freelance writer living in the Philadelphia area with his wife, Erin, and twin children. He can be read widely on the Internet and in print publications in the United States and Europe. . Justin receives e-mail at justindarr@juno.com
Isn't Christmas about spending money? About buying your wife that diamond ring, necklace, or bracelet? That's what the TV says, and we all know whatever comes off of there is the God's honest truth. :)Denote heavy, heavy sarcasm.
Now that the Red States have spoken, in November, I wonder if next year will be different.
"jesus"
Could you please capitalize this name? It is a proper noun, and the Son of God. I know it's hard for you people to figure that out.
Cleanup on Post 4.
He screwed up. You may not use "holiday" because that word comes from "holy day" and we can't have anything other than the secular government holy, can we?
The sad part is, he probably missed his free PEST session to type that infantile rant.
I'm curious: How much time have you spent reading what Jesus said?
MM
Happy Saturnalia!
This is a LOVELY article...and very true.
On a week to week basis, I'm perpetually fustrated going to big name grocery stores, just by virtue of the fact of the indolent staff, and the really bad service.
So I've stopped.
Yeah, I drive out to a little farmers market once a week to buy my fruit and vet. And I go to a local butcher (who kills his own cattle) for my meat. And I go to a little small retailer for my other groceries (detergents etc.). It takes me maybe an extra hour a week to do that, and maybe a couple of euro in petrol...but it's well worth it for my sanity.
And it keeps small retailers in business.
Sure...I don't get coupons. But I've made quite a few friends.
Great article, and it simplifies my shopping. I'm delighted with the result I get when I say "Merry Christmas." People comment how nice it is to hear that instead of the insipid "Happy Holidays." Jesus is the reason for the season.
Filene's had to say the C....mas word in their brochure when they listed a C....mas tree and ornaments. Otherwise, nada.
I am anxious to go to our Mall and check on how they are decorating. I can't believe this liberal stuff is spreading so quickly! We've got to put a stop to it.
I bought my Christmas cards awhile back and had a hard time finding ones with the Manger scene on them.
"The sad part is, he probably missed his free PEST session to type that infantile rant."
Did he/she/it get the boot?
Thanks for helping to zot the looney tune.
Hey. How's it going over there across the pond, young lady?
But I did go to Wal-Mart today and had a sub sandwich while waiting for my prescription. The only music in the store was this robotic bear dressed in a wrinkled Santa suit, boppin away and singing some rap version of 'Jingle Bells.'
Upon leaving the store, I couldn't get over how quiet the place was with no Chrismas carols being piped. No 'Merry Christmas' sounds or spirit. Just silence . . . and the shuffling of feet and the bumping of shopping carts. No hustling, no bustling, and very little cash register sounds.
Then I got home and turned on the TV to see if it really was the Christmas season and all I could find were 'Have a Happy Holiday spirit' commercials.
What a strange feeling. It was like waking up on another planet. A barren one at that.
I'm willing to bet the post Christmas sales are going to start two weeks early this year. And I'm also going to bet that the retailers and town councils are going to tell the PC crowd to go to hell next year when they tally up sales volume and tax revenue they lost this season.
'tis great.
I'm kinda dreading Christmas..but I do that EVERY year *L*
If it makes you feel better...
I'm in Ireland...
And tonight I went out carol singing in local hotels from 9 p.m. until 10.30 p.m.
In an hour and a half, we got €1,500 (which is nearly $2,000) for local charities.
I guess some people like to hear, Silent Night and Adeste Fideles still.
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