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Posted on 12/10/2005 7:00:21 AM PST by NYer
Washington DC, Dec. 09, 2005 (CNA) - Intervening in the heated debate about the mention of Christmas on the public square, Concerned Women for America (CWA) presented a first Christmas list showing which businesses are honouring the Reason for the Season (the birth of Jesus), which ones are not, and which have mixed records.
It first lists the corporation ‘Nice’ or friendly to the Original Christmas tradition. This year Macy's joins the NICE list because it has returned the explicit mention of Christmas and Merry Christmas to its stores and its ads. L.L. Bean, on the other hand, just barely escapes the Grinch list and gets a middle rating because, while its first seasonal catalogue says Christmas 2005, all subsequent catalogues say Holiday 2005, culminating in the Best of Holiday 2005 (surrounded by Christmas items).
"More and more retailers are realizing, too late, that Christian consumers now understand that the constant use of 'happy holidays' and 'holiday' is grating and insulting," said Robert Knight, director of CWA's Culture & Family Institute. "It's an act of cultural cowardice and even an overt attack on Christmas and ultimately the Christian faith.
"When something is clearly about Christmas itself, it is dishonest to ban the very mention of Christmas on the grounds that it might offend a handful of people. This is a nation where surveys show 96 percent of the population celebrates Christmas. There is no survey showing that people of other faiths are insulted when the majority celebrate Christmas or wish anyone a 'Merry Christmas.'
"The tyranny of a tiny minority of Grinches to veto any mention of Christmas must stop," Knight concluded. "We are very encouraged that some major retailers like Macy's are starting to get it and hope that more will join them."
Following is a highlight of the whole list, set into three categories: ‘Nice’, ‘Somewhat Nice, somewhat naughty’and ‘Scrooges.’
NICE
Macy’s, Chick-fil-A,Kroger, IHOP, Saks Off Fifth Avenue, Kay Jewelers, Capital One, Hobby Lobby, In-N-Out Burger
SOMEWHAT NICE, SOMEWHAT NAUGHTY
Walgreens, Wal-Mart, L.L. Bean, Sears, Lowe’s
SCROOGES
Target, Office Max, Kmart, Staples, Home Depot, Best Buy, Kohlâs, BJ's, SC Johnson, Verizon, Radio Shack, Zales, Outback, Lexus, Old Navy, Cingular, Reckitt Benckiser, Pier 1, Red Lobster, Office Depot, Gillette, Applebee’s, Burlington Coat, Dell, Milton-Bradley, U.S. Postal Service, Costco
Best Buy? I was just there last night and they have Christmas coming out of every corner of their store. Maybe the stores are locally controlled and this is a reaction to one. Our local Starbucks has a huge 'happy holidays' sign, but it hasn't seemed to slow down traffic.. Saying Happy or Holidays or any combination of the two is in no way excluding the words Merry or Christmas or any combination of the two.
No Christmas money for these stores...
Target, Office Max, Kmart, Staples, Home Depot, Best Buy, Kohlâs, BJ's, SC Johnson, Verizon, Radio Shack, Zales, Outback, Lexus, Old Navy, Cingular, Reckitt Benckiser, Pier 1, Red Lobster, Office Depot, Gillette, Applebee’s, Burlington Coat, Dell, Milton-Bradley, U.S. Postal Service, Costco
In addition to the Nice list - here are some alternative stores with similar merchandise for Christmas shopping: (If below needs correction due to incidents, please post)
P.C. Richard - buy.com - good alternative to Best Buy
Kay Jewelers - good alternative to ZALES
Modells - Good alternative to clothing Old Navy, Burlington Coat
On the Border, Friday's, Olive Garden? - Alternatives to Outback, Applebees, RedLobster -
Lowe's - Good Alternative to Home Depot
Vision Forum - Alternative to American Girl doll (VisionForum.com online shopping)
Bath and Body Works uses Christmas in their advertising. Went into that store yesterday and told management they would make lots of money from me this year because of their inclusiveness.
The only naughty store I've shopped at is Costco, and I've tried to limit it.
You're doing great so don't take this too hard, but I think you would do even better if you didn't use liberal terminology like "inclusiveness." Maybe just thank them for not being ashamed of the holiday that brings them so much business.
I understand that Target got the message and has changed its policy. Can someone confirm?
Sears has changed its policy. Sears has also been good to reservists who work for their company.
I was in K-Mart yesterday (Branson, Missouri) and over the loud speaker in the store they wished all shoppers a "Merry Christmas." I was delighted to hear it.
All the mothers of kids in diapers should notice the very nice Pampers commerical where they sing Silent Night (real words)and just show pictures of babies sleeping. It really is a good commerical for the Christmas season. Buy your diapers from Pampers as a "thank you."
Will stock the church nursery in Pampers.
Sears won't let my daughter wish callers "Merry Christmas," even if the caller initiates it. She works for their financial services department. Be very wary about Sears.
I spoke with a manager. When I asked about the Christmas signs I heard about, she was enthusiastically positive. She was also pleased to wish me Merry Christmas at the end of our conversation. Let's work on the financial services department. Do you have a phone number?
Idea: For all of December, boycott stores that do not have a visible "Merry Christmas" sign.
Just outside the local supermarket today, there was a Salvation Army bell ringer. When I dropped some change into the pot, he wished me a "Happy Holiday". A woman crossing the parking lot shot him a glare and said . . . "it's 'Merry Christmas', not 'Happy Holiday'". It seems people are getting serious about this. Good!
You're right; no need to become a fascist about Christmas. But the big chain stores that have plenty of opportunity to show a sign of Christmas here or there, that are trying to snuff it out wherever it appears, deserve a rap on the financial knuckles.
Just got back from taking 5-yr-old daughter help ring the Salvation Army bells in front of local Wal*Mart. Asked the little brass band there if they were from Salvation Army also and one said, "no, we're local community musicians." And there was a big whiteboard schedule showing local the community groups that were "manning" the Salvation Army pot for the next several days. So, it is indeed a broad community effort, and mostly but not explicitly Christian. From the standpoint of keeping the SA effort alive and representative of the community, maybe how it's being done is not a bad thing. Merry Christmas all.
Yeah, me, too. Unfortunately, there is no replacement to COSTCO, either at Christmas time or year 'round.
I am irritated that they are among the most ardent financial contributors to the DNC and all things "progressive," however. I've tried expressing the simplest of constructive criticisms to their so-called Customer Service, but their nasty responses are ghastly (so abandoned even trying to do so).
Their checkers are as ill mannered and inconsiderate as no where else I've ever encountered, and yet, there I am every month, paying many hundreds of dollars for staples and such.
I really wish there was an alternative to COSTCO, but even trying Sam's Club left me wanting.
I started to say "Merry Christmas" to a Supervisor at COSTCO just a few days ago when last I was there -- they'd overcharged me for, of all things, Christmas Cards I'd just purchased and I had to get this Supervisor to refund the difference (cashier wouldn't/couldn't) -- and at the start of the words, he glared a very ugly glare my way and I just mumbled, "happy holidays" and left feeling badly.
COSTCO is going to eventually lose it's high place among shoppers given how it's become mostly the Berkeley of warehouses, and the ONLY thing that keeps me shopping there is that there are no alternatives to what they provide: decent-to-great goods in bulk at warehouse prices.
I'll be a'testin' Target out for the Christmas standard in a few days and will let you know!
The "Happy Holidays" thing has just gone way too far by most of these national-brand retailers. They really deserve to lose business and be humiliated by consumers for denying the very word of Christmas along with associations, as if it was something to be ashamed of.
What's actually shameful is their blatant omission of this important experience of Christmas.
Yes, I understand (thanks for your levelling comments), but, there is (also) nothing inherently WRONG with saying or putting in print, "Merry Christmas" or even "Christmas" as a word, a concept, a celebration along with all associated symbols and stories and such.
Retailers who have insisted on the "no mention of the word, 'Christmas'" policy are displaying a high degree of shame and negativity about the Season, the word itself...and that's what's disturbing to my view as a consumer.
They plaster "Halloween" all over the place, for example, and yet recoil if/when someone says "Merry Christmas" and the like.
It indicates some other policy, unstated but obvious, that is not at all minor.
So, because of that, I think it's important for Christians and those who do not feel shame at the mention of Christmas to act accordingly. This is one effort to respond by refusing to patronize that I support.
Now, if I could only find an alternative to COSTCO...
"inclusiveness."
I disagree.
I think we need to use their weapons against them.
Good point. Will do.
Appreciate the additions to the "nice" list. Thanks.
"but I think you would do even better if you didn't use liberal terminology like "inclusiveness." Maybe just thank them for not being ashamed of the holiday that brings them so much business."
Good point. I will take your suggestion.
"It seems people are getting serious about this. Good!"
Certainly is good.
Just be careful when you use their terminology that you are not inadvertently embracing their application of it.
I read about the flap with Wal-Mart a few weeks ago. And yeah, the Walton family has personally donated to abortion groups. However, the Wal-Mart stores here in CT all have the Salvation Army in front greeting people with "Merry Christmas." And inside, 'Ave Maria' and other Christian musics are playing. I guess this is why the CWA gave them a 'naughty and nice'.
I suspect some of these progressive-leaning retailers wanted to do it for awhile now. They figured the time was right this year and did not expect much public backlash. Meanwhile another category of retailers, who perhaps caught wind of their plans, decided to implement the same policies so they wern't left out as the only ones doing it (you know, ACLU intimidation related)
"It first lists the corporations ‘Nice’ or friendly to the Original Christmas tradition."
What kind of tripe is this? Guess what -- the "reason for the season" (a cutesy hint that the article and the "list" are nothing more than adolescent idiocy) has nothing to do with retail sales or shopping at malls.
For crying out loud people, go to church (unless, of course, you're a member of one of the "big box" churches that decided to close on Christmas day, a rather ironic twist to this year's bashing of businesses for not honoring the "true spirit of Christmas").
Business is business. Retail stores will do whatever is necessary to attract the most customers -- whether that's posting "happy holidays" signs or "Merry Christmas" signs. I hate to break it to you, but they really don't give a flip about your religious convictions. They just want your money.
The very notion that you're going to find the "original Christmas tradition" or "the reason for the season" in a Target or a Walmart or any other retail store is so patently ridiculous it's embarrassing to even see it on this forum.
Oh brother. A conspiracy amongst retailers that is designed, I suppose, to lessen their sales. Get a grip.
I suspect some of these progressive-leaning retailers wanted to do it for awhile now. They figured the time was right this year and did not expect much public backlash.
I'm willing to venture a guess that retailers are actually catering to a big backlash base of customers who are both flabbergasted by, and a little pissed off at, the morons who insist that "happy holidays" is an insult and that the "true meaning of Christmas" can be found on the racks of plastic piffle in a discount store.
My, my. It's come to this, has it. Glaring at the infidels, and announcing that "everybody better celebrate the holidays my way or shut the hell up." The Christmas spirit lives.
Thanks, I think I just found my new tag line!!
The bottom line is those "morons" you mention happen to have a point here about whats going on politically. Deal with it.
And I was pissed off in '89 too...so what.
And I was pissed off in '89 too...so what.
"This one doesn't make sense to me, since Olive Garden and Red Lobster have the same parent company."
Another poster pointed out that different stores have different policies. The poster stated that the restaurants visited wished customers Merry Christmas, and displayed Christmas signs. My own personal experience with both eateries has been positive.
Yes master. I have learned my Orwellian lesson -- if I do not say what you tell me I must say at this time of year, then I am persecuting you. (See: Re-Definition of Persecution, New Political Dictionary of the Reactionary Fundamentalists.)
Of course, the Jews and other such worthless whatnots who happen to be running their own private businesses or otherwise celebrating something other than Christmas might not be so compliant. But with sufficient pressure, I'm sure that over time they can be forced to either say Merry Christmas or keep their mouths shut.
Huhh?? Most people who are raising the issue of "Merry Christmas" also welcome the "Happy Hanukka" too. What they object to is the artificial substitute of "Happy Holidays" thats given. Now of course, there being like 10:1 Christians to Jews in the country one would then happen to hear "Merry Christmas" more often than "Happy Hannuka" but reasonable people would agree that that's nobodys fault.
Of course the issue with Christians is much broader than a deletion of "Merry Christmas" in retail chains. There has been for some time now a consistant full frontal assault from the ACLU that we've been dealing with in public and private institutions at many levels. So yeah, sensativities are also running high and for good reason.
Right. I gotcha. Nobody's allowed to say "happy holidays."
So that I'm clear on the new free speech restrictions, and so that I don't get crosswise with a member of the persecuted majority, I've take the liberty of summarizing the new behavioral rules below. Please correct as needed:
(1) Anybody who now wants to extend to another a seasonal greeting must, in advance, ascertain the recipient's preferred celebration and style of greeting.
(2) If the preferred celebration and style of greeting cannot be ascertained, one may extend a greeting only if reference is made to all known seasonal celebrations, and only if all known styles of seasonal greeting are verbally expressed.
(3) If method (2) is employed in the extension of a seasonal greeting, a disclaimer must be included that (a) celebrations listed in the greeting are those currently known to the greeter; (b) celebrations unknown by the greeter should be inferred by the greetee as included by implication in the greeting; and (c) any previously unknown celebrations made known to the greeter by the greetee will be duly incorporated in all of the greeter's future method (2) greetings.
(4) For business entities wishing to attract seasonal customers, permitted signage must include a listing of all seasonal celebrations and methods of seasonal greeting (with the express exception of "happy holidays," which is hereafter forbidden speech). Business entities will be expected to know all such celebrations and styles of greeting, and therefore the personal greeting disclaimer exception contained in paragraph (3) will be inapplicable. Failure to list any seasonal celebration or style of greeting in business signage will be grounds for business forfeiture.
(5) Method (4) business signage must list all seasonal celebrations and styles of greeting in descending order according to percentages of customer base participation, subject to immediate modification to give listing priority to any group of celebrants that complains about its position on the list.
(6) The only exception to the foregoing is the employment of no seasonal greeting whatsoever.
I think that covers it (although I would like to know whether I am also required to physically silence those who disobey the foregoing rules-of-speech, or whether I can just ignore the "happy holidayers"?)
I was at Target last night.
The cashier ended my transaction with a "Come back soon"
I asked her to wish me a Merry Christmas. She giggled and then wished me a Merry Christmas.
Thanks for sharing that.
The Wal Mart I use has no Christmas signs, only Home for the Holidays signs every where. Also, the cashiers and greeters will only say Seasons Greeting, although, once in a while someone will say Merry Christmas. The Wal Mart down the road about 8 miles has forbidden the employees to wish anyone Merry Chrismtas. I guess its goes by location.
Target just had a commercial that ended with Merry Christmas.
Yeah you are probably right. But then again, the people who said "Merry Christmas" to me when I went there were actually the Salvation Army ringing the bell in front of the store and so not Wal-Mart. But hey, at least Wal-Mart lets them ring the bell for their charity, as I understand Target does not do that.....No, instead Target donates to the lib feminist anti-family anti-christian charities. (I don't shop at Target and never will.)
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