'Merry Christmas' theme returns to stores

UPI ^ | 11/24/06

[rhema]

Bowing to pressure from conservative Christian groups, several U.S. retail stores are reverting to the "Merry Christmas" theme this holiday season.

Leading the way is Wal-Mart, which is moving away from last year's generic "Happy Holidays" to return to Christmas this month in all its seasonal marketing in the Untied States, the Baltimore Sun reports.

"We've learned our lesson," Wal-Mart spokeswoman Marisa Bluestone told the newspaper. "This year, we're not afraid to say, 'Merry Christmas.'"

The same goes for Walgreens, Target, Macy's, Kmart and Kohl's.

The report said conservative Christian groups, which normally frown on the commercialization of Christmas, were upset last year because stores did not mention Christmas in their holiday marketing.

Groups like the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, which had called for a Wal-Mart boycott last year, now wants people to report on those who don't acknowledge the holiday, the report said.

Kathy Grannis with the National Retail Federation said retailers were caught off guard by the Christian backlash and have rushed to correct the situation this year, the report said.

[Uncledave]

"Bowing to pressure" {oh, those nasty Christians who want to celebrate their holiday}

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

Let the ACLU communists sue over this one!

BWWaaaaa, HHHhaaa, HHaaaaaa, haaaaa...

[Maigrey]

When I went out this morning, I had associates from Macy's and Sears wish me a Merry Christmas. I was quite surprised, and thrilled about it.

[CindyDawg]

The bell ringers were in front of Walgreens today. I thanked the manager. He told me he didn't even know about Target until just recently and that the Salvation Army has always been and will be welcomed at his store.

[rhema]

When I park in the newly enlightened retailers' parking lots, my car will sport this magnet.

[digger48]

Zogby's online poll today, was on this topic.

Wanted to know what "offended" you, use of, or refusal to use "Merry Chistmas" by stores and their help

I've been doing their polls for 6 months or so, and every one (about 2 a month or so), asks of your Walmart shopping habits along with your party affiliation and religion.

[napscoordinator]

Now America is perfect!!!!!!

[Tribune7]

I bet a lot of people looked at sales from last year and made a hard cold completely unreligious decision that "Merry Christmas" does better for the bottom line than "Happy Holidays".

If Mr. Macy or Mr. Gimble were alive today they could have told them that with a "No S--- Sherlock" added on.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Well, if you are going to say they are "bowing to pressure from conservative Christian groups" then you had better acknowledge that they had been bowing to pressure from liberal interest groups when they decided to ban Christmas. Of course the liberal press never recognizes other liberals as pressuring anyone.

[goodnesswins]

Our Sears has sales signs of "Merry Christmas" AND "Happy Holidays" throughout the store.....I thought that was great.

[goodnesswins]

Target had a huge ad in an Orange County paper last weekend talking about how to donate to the SALVATION ARMY through Target ONLINE.....

[paudio]

I understand that not everybody celebrates Christmas. However, it's also foolish to gloss over 'happy holiday' when the 'holiday' itself actually refers to Christmas. So, I think if they want, companies can do both:

"We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday!"

[CindyDawg]

I know. I told the manager at Walgreens that Target was doing this. We both agreed this was good. That's when he told me (with a big smile) that they were welcome at his store.

[Kokojmudd]

No Christmas Trees or Holiday Trees at my local Target today.
Just plain "Trees." Guess they didn't want to take any chances
.

[UB355]

I don't care what they are writing, Kohls is not using Christmas in it's ads although they have a countdown to December 25th.

http://www.kohls.com/main/editorial.jsp;jsessionid=0001KSNYWOYRCXR5IGU5RRUF4RA:10tofb3b0?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=10834639&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=10834639&bmUID=1164413263075

[BibChr]

...conservative Christian groups, which normally frown on the commercialization of Christmas, were upset last year because stores did not mention Christmas in their holiday marketing.

Gee, is there an editorial comment, there?

[PeterFinn]

Then I guess I won't be shopping at Kohls in Elk Grove, CA any time soon. Thanks for the link!

[rhema]

Thanks for the link. I did contact Kohl's via email, copying the UPI story and asking them why they're so chary about attaching the name to December 25.

[Tall_Texan]

Target had a huge ad in an Orange County paper last weekend talking about how to donate to the SALVATION ARMY through Target ONLINE.....

Target is still owned by liberals. I still wouldn't shop there. Are they still donating to Planned Butcherhood?