Posted on 11/22/2005 3:18:10 PM PST by churchillbuff
If you're expecting a hearty "Merry Christmas" as you're doing your shopping; you might be disappointed.
Usual holiday ads say things like Christmas, but you might want get used to hearing and seeing the term holiday. Because some stores are cutting Christmas out and putting a generic phrase in.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, but don't expect to hear someone say it.
"I love Christmas, so I don't mind," says Rebecca Reyes.
Wal-mart is one of many stores asking its employees to replace Christmas with "Happy Holidays". The company says its trying not to offend anyone, by catering to one kind of celebration. However, some say it makes the season generic.
"I really don't care what people say to me. Merry Christmas, Merry Xmas, it's all the same," says Lorenzo Maxwell.
Other people want to boycott stores like Macy's and Bloomingdales where they also say the same, cutting out Christmas and Hanukkah from sayings and banners.
"I think Happy Hanukkah is appropriate, if your gonna say Merry Christmas say Happy Hanukkah as well," says Diane Sandy.
"That its so generic, not gonna offend anyone by saying Happy Holidays," says El Pasoan Eric Morales.
Rabbi Stephen Leon says he personally isn't offended by Merry Christmas, but believes corporations are just trying to please everyone, "one thing I've learned in life is you can't please everyone."
Some think the generic phrase is taking it too far and want to keep the season traditional and simple.
"I'm still gonna say it, that's my basis, don't think we should sweep it under the rug," Sandy says.
"Trying to ban everything, so I think they just leave as is," says Reyes.
The Catholic League for Religous and Civil rights had wanted a boycott against Wal-mart saying the store discriminated against Christmas. But called it off after the store apologized.
Here they are--when you buy these products, you are indirectly supporting Democrat candidates. Go to the link to see how much these companies give to Democratic candidates and causes. Make this your anti-shopping list.
The Buy-Blue list:
Airlines:
Southwest
United
Beauty / Grooming /
Cosmetics:
BeneFit
Christian Dior
Estee Lauder
Sephora
The Body Shop
Beer / Wine / Spirits:
Boston Beer Co.
Sam Adams
Brown-Forman
Jack Daniel's, Southern Comfort
E&J Gallo
New Belgium
LVMH
Hennessy, Moet & Chandon
Sierra Nevada
Big Box / Superstores:
Costco
Bookstores / CDs / DVDs:
Barnes & Noble
Powell's
Candy / Chocolate / Desserts :
Lindt's
Cell Phones / Phone Service:
Qualcomm
Working Assets
Clothes:
Burlington Coat Factory
Claire's Stores
Frederick's of Hollywood
Gap
Banana Republic, Old Navy
J. Crew
Levi Strauss
LL Bean
Men's Wearhouse, Inc.
Patagonia
Polo Ralph Lauren
REI
Coffee / Coffee Shops:
Caribou Coffee
Green Mountain Coffee
Peet's
Starbucks
Computers / Electronics:
Apple
Fry's
Gateway
Eyewear:
Luxottica
Arnette, Killer Loop, Ray-Ban, Prada, Vogue, DKNY
Fast Food:
Arby's
Panera Bread
Sonic
Subway
Groceries
Trader Joe's
Gyms:
Bally's Total Fitness
Holiday & Gifts:
Lillian Vernon
Yankee Candle
Home & Garden
Bed, Bath & Beyond
Crate & Barrel
IKEA
Hotels:
Best Western
Choice Hotels
Hyatt
Starwood
Jewelry :
Signet
Leather Goods :
Coach
LVMH
Fendi, Etc…
Satellite Radio:
XM
Shoes:
Foot Locker
Reebok
Timberland
Toys / Games / Video Games:
Mattel
Nintendo
It seems like only yesterday, but it was one year ago that BuyBlue launched on December 1, 2004 with our Blue Christmas list of products and services, and the campaign contributions of the companies that make them.
If you are new to BuyBlue, you might be asking yourself what "Blue Christmas" is all about.
Retailers make a significant portion of their yearly sales during the Christmas season. At this time of the year, we have the greatest opportunity to vote for our values with our wallets and have retailers take notice. Last year, many of us did just that, and retailers and news organizations definitely took notice.
Since last Christmas, our volunteer researchers have been hard at work collecting articles on even more companies, filling in their political contributions, and substantiating their ratings under our new categories: Labor and Human Rights, Environment, Employment Equality, Corporate and Social Responsibility, and Industry Practices (read our research methodology). In the past year Buyblue has become a shopping list of sorts and we are striving to make all our data even more accessible.
This year we have put together a list of the companies most deserving of our patronage, based on all the factors we track on our site. The result is the Blue Christmas 2005, a sort of "Editor's List" of products and services we recommend. You can also find information on nearly 500 companies, representing more than 1100 brands and products.
We've put together several print-friendly items to take along when you're shopping this holiday season. You'll find a one-page flyer in both color and black and white versions that you can take with you or share with friends and family. You'll also find a wallet-sized list that you can print from home.
With this list, we hope that you'll be able to put your money where your values are, and vote with your wallets. Please share this list with your loved ones and discuss it with local organizations in which you may be involved. Most importantly, use the list to shop this Christmas season, and let these retailers know why you have chosen to patronize them. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or none of the above we hope you have a safe and enjoyable time with your friends and family this holiday season.
I am a bell ringer this year, I was told to say "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas" to people who come near, guess what I'll be saying? It's easy in my area. It's quite obvious the reason for the season...
And I always ask, "Which holiday(s)would that be?"
The Puritans who sought to "purify" the Church of England of "popish" remnants and were kicked out and who settled in New England were among the most fervid of anti-Merry Christmas Christians. There has always persisted throughout American religious history an element that has been very much opposed to the secular paganization of the feast of Christ's birth - with such pagan things as reindeer, santas, trees, etc. that have absolutely nothing to do with Christianity. Truth be told, for many the season is nothing but a commercialized extravananza for getting, the malls, parties, and time off from work. I don't think it's necessarily wrong to say "seasons' greetings" for the retail business. BUT, I wonder what that crowd is going to do when they discover that holiday means "holy day"? In any case the pre-Christmas period of the church liturgical year is Advent and although Advent isn't a penetential season it is very much a solemn and serious time for preparation. Let's not hold our breath!! For most the preparation and seriousness will be about getting the best sale prices and party arrangements.
It is my belief that the retail industry one day will regret this campaign because it is possible that in the not-too-distant future the market may tank because the merchants have done such a good job at separating the concept of Christmas from this time of year. Consequently, people might come to think: why should I be so interested in giving a "holiday gift"?
Not the retailers.... the communist ACLU. And remember, 30 years ago who would have ever imagined they would be going after Christmas or anything Christian? But they have.
I like to say, "Happy Holy Day" to retailers. The young ones just look at me funny. The old ones smile.
IDEA: Go to one of these stores. Fill up a basket to the brim. Roll it to a register...and as soon as someone says "Happy Holidays" - abandon the basket and tell them that you are going to a store that still celebrates the real holy day: Christmas!
I thought it was Land's End, not LL Bean. And Microsoft, not Apple.
It really does no good to make your point with history that no one knows and is completely irrelevant to why they celebrate today. Still, I think the holy day thing is pretty funny, but again, it matters not if no one knows and if it has nothing to do with intent in today's world.
Darn. I just switched from Land's End to LL Bean a year or two ago for this same reason. LOL! Now I do not know whether to switch back or to find another company altogether. Well, I don't need clothes anyway.
AH yes! Merry Crab-Ass to you too! ;~D
Because the old ones were brought up to be ~polite~.
Last year when greeted with "Happy Holidays", I'd reply, "Which one? Eid, Kwaanza, Hannanuk, Chinese New Year or Christmas? And the person would inevitably reply with a silly grin, "Christmas".
It's "Merry Christmas" to me and let those who find that offensive, be offended. I'm offended by the generic greetings.
I know what you mean. I loved the store in Freeport.
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