Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Albertsons offers Kwanzaa baskets this holiday season
Times-Herald Online ^ | 12/15/03 | RACHEL RASKIN-ZRIHEN, Times-Herald staff writer

Posted on 12/15/2003 9:37:49 AM PST by dce88

Albertsons offers Kwanzaa baskets this holiday season

By RACHEL RASKIN-ZRIHEN, Times-Herald staff writer

Vallejo's Albertsons supermarket, 2001 Solano Ave., is one of several in the Bay Area in which the San Leandro-based company has introduced the sale of Kwanzaa baskets for the holiday season.

In Vallejo, the baskets have been on display in the floral department for about a week, said grocery manager Frani Dimond, but haven't been moving very well.

"We haven't sold any yet," Dimond said. "Maybe people don't know what they are."

What they are, are a collection of "everything one needs for the Kwanzaa holiday," according to an Albertsons promotional statement, which adds that company executives worked with "a select team of African-American vendors to create and design the Kwanzaa basket."

The baskets, which sell for $34.99, contain a specially designed doll that symbolizes the Griot, or "keeper of stories" in African culture; seven candles (Mishumaa Saba); a teak candle holder (Kinara); an ear of dried corn (Vibunzi/Muhindi); a straw place mate (Mkeka); the gift (Zawadi) and a booklet explaining the principals of Kwanzaa.

In addition to the Kwanzaa baskets, Albertsons is holding a Kwanzaa coloring contest. Children can pick up an entry at participating Albertsons stores, including Vallejo's and enter to win a field trip for their class to the African-American Museum and Library in Oakland during February's Black History Month. Entry deadline is Jan. 5.

The Fairfield, Vacaville and Suisun City Albertsons are also participating.


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: kwanzaa
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-73 next last
To: Alberta's Child
I refuse to bring my daughter to work. I want her to continue to think I have an exciting and fulfilling career, rather than the dull meaningless existence I actually have at the office.
41 posted on 12/15/2003 10:46:28 AM PST by My2Cents ("Well....there you go again...")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: Eris; Hacksaw; Rummyfan
A primer for Festivus celebrations

The Festivus Pole:

Not a tree, a pole. No decorations. Tinsel is very distracting from the true meaning of the holiday. The pole is tall, silver, hollow, long, skinny, and heavy.

The Airing of Grievances:

This is the part of the holiday where you tell your family and friends all the ways they have disappointed you during the year.

The Feats of Strength:

This is the time during the celebration where the head of the family tests his strength against one lucky person. Festivus is not over until the head of the family is pinned. You are allowed to decline only if you have something to do instead.

42 posted on 12/15/2003 10:48:13 AM PST by GluteusMax
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: GluteusMax
Ironic, isn't it, that an episode of Seinfeld can produce a "holiday" that is more meaningful and more widely celebrated than Kwanza developers could by guilting their own people into celebrating over all these years.
43 posted on 12/15/2003 10:57:23 AM PST by Anitius Severinus Boethius
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: bcoffey
"Maybe that's because Kwanzaa is a "made up" holiday and NOBODY but the PC police and Grinch Gestapo know what it means."

Hate to break the news to you but many of the "hoildays" we celebrate were made up, some of them by hungry merchants trying to find a new way to goose sales of candy, flowers, card etc. And even holidays that have real meaning have
things like Santa and the Easter Bunny attached to sell merchandise. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the Santa part, but it's a "made up" part of that holiday.

I know nada about Kwanzaa but if Albertson's thinks it can make a few bucks off of it, exactly how is that different from many of our other holidays?
44 posted on 12/15/2003 11:00:37 AM PST by kegler4
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: rdb3; Khepera; elwoodp; MAKnight; condolinda; mafree; Trueblackman; FRlurker; Teacher317; ...
[blink-blink!]

Uhhhhh....right.

Black conservative ping

If you want on (or off) of my black conservative ping list, please let me know via FREEPmail. (And no, you don't have to be black to be on the list!)

Extra warning: this is a high-volume ping list.

45 posted on 12/15/2003 11:02:58 AM PST by mhking
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mhking
Anyone remember what this guy's real name was and what kind of criminal he was?
46 posted on 12/15/2003 11:06:12 AM PST by Protagoras (Vote Republican, we're not as bad as the other guys.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: Hacksaw
But how are we going to do the "Feats of Strength" over the internet?

Hey, I did my part - I groused about stuff. You guys take it from here. Americans are nothing if not resourceful, especially during the Festivus Season.

47 posted on 12/15/2003 11:07:53 AM PST by Hank Rearden (Dick Gephardt. Before he dicks you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: My2Cents
Since Kwanzaa is a fabricated holiday celebrating nothing in particular, a Kwanzaa basket would be an empty one, right?

My thoughts exactly.

LOL. What's next Festivus?

48 posted on 12/15/2003 11:08:24 AM PST by riri
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Hank Rearden
Weird, we both posted that at the same time.
49 posted on 12/15/2003 11:09:12 AM PST by riri
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: dce88
Jesus is the reason
For the Season
50 posted on 12/15/2003 11:11:53 AM PST by Snardius
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: My2Cents
What is it? -- an empty basket? (Since Kwanzaa is a fabricated holiday celebrating nothing in particular, a Kwanzaa basket would be an empty one, right?)

And since they're selling for 34.99 plus tax, I guess the baskets must be Longabergers.

My main question though, is do they sell Christmas baskets, or is it "Holiday" baskets. What about Hannukah baskets ?

51 posted on 12/15/2003 11:12:43 AM PST by BSunday (I'm not the bad guy)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: GluteusMax
Festivus for the rest of us.
52 posted on 12/15/2003 11:13:01 AM PST by alaskanfan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: dce88
I was going to say it's a free country & if Albertsons can figure on making a profit they ought to go ahead and do it then I read "We haven't sold any yet," Dimond said.

PC is generally bad business.

53 posted on 12/15/2003 11:15:35 AM PST by Tribune7 (David Limbaugh never said his brother had a "nose like a vacuum cleaner")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: snopercod
I thought that all the Albertson's workers were on strike.

No, just south of San Luis Obispo, I think, in CA. The folks in Boise will be interested to hear their "headquarters" are in San Leandro, CA, LOL!

54 posted on 12/15/2003 11:22:04 AM PST by Bernard Marx ("Do what you are afraid to do." Anonymous.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: dce88
Is this Kwanzaa thing something like the Haj?
55 posted on 12/15/2003 11:22:30 AM PST by HIDEK6
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jhensy
"Well, I've switched to Kwanzaa, but that was because they shut Napster down."

Now that's funny.

56 posted on 12/15/2003 11:22:39 AM PST by TXFireman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: riri
Weird, we both posted that at the same time.

Nothing weird about it at all, even though I have no idea what you're talking about.

The Festivus Spirit is inbued in everybody this time of year, so we're all on the same wavelength. Now, let's get back to The Airing of Grievances.

57 posted on 12/15/2003 11:40:41 AM PST by Hank Rearden (Dick Gephardt. Before he dicks you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: dce88; Cagey
But do they sell Festivus Poles?
58 posted on 12/15/2003 11:52:57 AM PST by WhyisaTexasgirlinPA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dce88
Kwanzaa...

LOL!!!

This year I'm thinking of making up Aaznawk (kwanzaa spelled backward) to celebrate every third Friday of the month... at hour of happy hour. It's a deep-rooted celebration for my peoples so that we can wear funny hats that day.

59 posted on 12/15/2003 12:05:08 PM PST by 69ConvertibleFirebird (Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bcoffey
FYI, (few examples of Kwanzaa cards:
=========================================
Card Text:

FRONT: No Text

INSIDE: KWANZAA-Means 'first' in the East African language of Swahili. Kwanzaa is a unique American holiday that pays tribute to the rich cultural roots of Americans of African ancestry. It is based on the African agricultural celebration and collective principles which contribute to the unity and development of the African community. Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st. NGUZO SABS THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES UMOJA UNITY KUJICHAGULIA SELF-DETERMINATION UJIMA COLLECTIVE WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY UJAMAA COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS NIA PURPOSE KUUMBA CREATIVITY IMANI FAITH Our heritage and traditions lie within our childern. Hope you have a joyous and meaningful Kwanzaa


Card Text

FRONT: No Text

INSIDE: Happy Karamu!

BACK: CONTEMPORARY COLLECTION 'The Water Carriers' Julia Cairns About the Artist: For most of her adult life, Julia Cairns has heard the call of distant lands....For 10 years Cairns lived in the Okavango Delta,...


Card Text

FRONT: No Text

INSIDE: Celebrate! Happy Karamu!

BACK: Jubilee, Painting by Julia Cairns

Card Text

FRONT: The Seven Principles of KWANZAA

INSIDE: One, the spirit of unity. Two, the passing of traditions. Three, reponsibility. Four, our collective work. Five, the theater of life. Six, the mind's eye. Seven, the inspiration of faith. You are a shining example. Happy Kwanzaa!

BACK: THE SEVEN PRICIPLES OF KWANZAA, UMOJA Unity December 26, KUJICHAGULIA Self-Determination December 27, UJIMA Responsibilty December 28, UJAMMA Corporation December 29, NIA Purpose December 30... SIDESTREET INC.

60 posted on 12/15/2003 12:31:08 PM PST by yankeedame ("Oh, I can take it but I'd much rather dish it out.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-73 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson