Mrs. Fields bans Christmas from their products (AFA email)

American Family Association | 10-12-07

[SomeReasonableDude]

This anti-Christmas stuff is ridiculous. The holiday stopped being about the birth of Christ long before commerical accomodations to non-Christians got involved. For all intents and purposes, Christmas is gift time and not a religious holiday for the vast majority of Americans. I honestly don’t mind that stores want to cater to the largest crowd possible. I mean, customers trump religious sensibilities on the balance sheet.

All I need to know is when and where my Christmas mass will be. I prefer to celebrate the birth of Jesus at home and in church - the mall really doesn’t factor in to this.

I’ll leave the boycotting and whining to the anti-anti-Christmas crowd that seems to be more concerned about marketing slogans and store displays then using the time to open their hearts and homes and spreading cheer during (what used to be a universally) sacred time.

[Jeffrey_D.]

The results of my search for “Christmas cookies”

Mrs. Fields Gifts Search Results
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[Anima Mundi]

One year our extended family made a rule for Christmas that no gifts could be NEW. Gifts had to either be made or purchased (and maybe refurbished by us) from a thrift store like Salvation Army or a garage sale. The gifts were really interesting and it was so much more meaningful and thoughtful. It was our best Christmas ever. And what a nice feeling to not be trolling for parking places in packed shopping malls, wandering around like a zombie looking for “something”. Oh and it probably saved us a lot of money as well.

[Sgt_Schultze]

I don’t buy their stuff. I’m just pointing out they acknowledge the emails. Their claim is they will have their Christmas line up by Nov. 1. Seems to me if you want to send a relative or business associate fresh cookies for Christmas, you might want to but them sometime nearer December 25, not October 12.

[ReignOfError]

Wow that was fast...what idiot in their company didn’t think there would be a huge backlash?

Backlash, or rumor control?

All we have is "Diane H. of Michigan" saying that this policy ever existed. And the AFA, which has been known to overdo the "war on Christmas" rhetoric because it's good for their fundraising.

All we know is that Mrs. Fields didn't have Christmas cookies listed on its site in early October. The AFA sent out a letter. Mrs. Fields issued a statement. Anything past that is rumor and supposition. It doesn't have to be true to be damaging -- just ask Procter & Gamble, which has been battling unfounded rumors for 30 years or so.

[khnyny]

And it’s NOT about “not offending anyone” - it’s about secularizing society.

I agree.

[NRA1995]

That giant cookie is a tease. Here’s a link to their “Holiday products” for 2007:
http://www.mrsfields.com/categories/Holiday_Gift_Preview%20?trkfrom=occasion&page=all

[dbwz]

Isn’t Debbie Fields Jewish??

I found a reference she made to having a Jewish mother-in-law. So it may be that she comes from a mixed family, and as a result of becoming aware that America does indeed house a number of different religions that celebrate different holidays, she might see value in being all-inclusive with her products.

[Rutles4Ever]

If a company doesn’t want to market “Christmas” items, that’s fine. It’s when they market “holiday” items in its place that should be rebuked. No one has to make special “Christmas” merchandise, but making money on its coattails without acknowledging its existence - or worse, implying that its existence is offensive - is truly evil.

[Kleon]

I’ll leave the boycotting and whining to the anti-anti-Christmas crowd that seems to be more concerned about marketing slogans and store displays then using the time to open their hearts and homes and spreading cheer during (what used to be a universally) sacred time.

Hey Scrooge, where's your Christmas spirit? For me and my family, it doesn't really feel like Christmas until we're boycotting at least a dozen stores.

[Badeye]

‘This anti-Christmas stuff is ridiculous.’

Of course it is. Liberalism is always ‘ridiculous’ when applied to free markets and capitalism.

Mrs Fields fears a minority (10 - 12%) and insults the overwhelming 89% of the potential customer base?

Thats typical liberalism, and utterly stupid business practice.

[SomeReasonableDude]

And it’s NOT about “not offending anyone” - it’s about secularizing society. I agree. Uh, we are a secular society with a strong Christian tradition. In the public sphere, Christmas has been a secular gift day for a vast swath of the American public for decades now. I don't see how begrudging Mrs. Fields or your local mall for catching up is at all righteous or effective. Then again, my orthodox Christian background emphasizes a personal relationship with God and Jesus rather than public displays of righteousness and proselytizing, so this may just be a divide between our Christian traditions and outlook. This all just seems so silly.

[JimRed]

Mrs. Fields, by fearing to offend the radical left, may now keep her damned cookies!

[JimRed]

I get most of our stuff from Harry and David anyway.

Check out their political donation history; it may cause you to rethink that. Oh, sorry; that's Ben & Jerry!

[Suzy Quzy]

She could have Christmas...Hannukah...and Happy Holiday items!! Why take out Christmas????? STUPID.

[CheyennePress]

>>>Wow that was fast...what idiot in their company didn’t think there would be a huge backlash?<<<

You'd think these companies would figure it out by now. I pretty much refuse to buy anything that says Happy Holidays on it and avoid shopping where that's the standard greeting. If they want to put up blue and silver decorations, too, fabulous!! I'd love to see Jews feeling included with Hannukah, too. But taking away Christmas is not only wrong--it's offensive.

I've also come to the conclusion that I'll avoid secular Christmas cards, as well. We have a magnificent history of sacred art in the West. Why not share that with others? I'm a lover of medieval art, anyway.

[GovernmentShrinker]

Only time I’ve ever received a business gift with the word “Christmas” on it, was from a senior employee of an organization owned and run by a Jewish man. It made me smile.

[ReignOfError]

One year our extended family made a rule for Christmas that no gifts could be NEW. Gifts had to either be made or purchased (and maybe refurbished by us) from a thrift store like Salvation Army or a garage sale

That's a great policy. "It's the thought that counts" is a cliché, and I'm not proposing that we should be skinflints in giving to folks we love, but hunting for or making a gift for someone if a way of giving a lot of thought, of giving some brain time to who the recipient is and what he means to us.

The perfect gift is something that could not have come from anyone else, and could not have gone to anyone else. That matters far, far more than how much you spent on it, which is too often the focus.

A close friend and I used to joke constantly about pandas and pirates, for reasons I won't get into. For her birthday, I went to Michael's (a craft store, in case they're not everywhere) and a few other stores, picking up a small panda figurine and some modeling clay that sets solid at room temperature. I crafted a pirate hat, an eye patch, a sash, a big hoop earring, and a scar on the panda. I found a cutlass from an action figure, cut it with an X-Acto, and glued it in place so it looked like that panda was holding it in his teeth. It was waiting for her when she arrived at work i the morning.

I spent a few bucks, and a few hours. The pirate panda was far from being the most lavish or most expensive gift I've ever given, but it was by far the best. Because it was the most personal. I try to remember that any time I give any gift. I don't buy greeting cards any more -- I have the hardware and the skills to make them, and to send a card that could not have come from anyone else or gone to anyone else.

Little kids want the hot toys. Older kids love the cold, hard cash. But for grown-ups, it really is the thought that counts -- it's easier to slap a credit card on a counter than to put in the time and effort into something unique, That difficulty makes it more precious.

[vaudine]

Sorry, Mrs. Fields--I didn't even know you make cookies. Now I never will know. I order my non-home baked goodies from Collin St. Bakery in Corsicana, TX. If you have never tried them, have a look. Their stuff is great. Their fruitcakes are chock full of nuts. If you are ever thru Corsicana, go in for free coffee and samples.

vaudine

[VOA]

bump