Posted on 11/26/2011 6:01:58 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Walgreens is back on the "Nice" list of companies that recognize, rather than censor, Christmas, according to an announcement this week.
The drugstore chain, which had come under fire for using "holiday" in its promotional campaigns, confirmed that it will be using the word "Christmas" more this season.
"During the month of December, there will be greater use of ‘Christmas’ in our store and online. We completely agree that while others celebrate different holidays, we should use the word ‘Christmas’ to describe items we are selling for Christmas decorations and gifts," Tiffany Washington, a spokesperson for Walgreens, said to Liberty Counsel. "As Christmas draws closer, there will be plenty of messages in our store and online that say 'Merry Christmas.'"
Liberty Counsel produces a "Naughty or Nice List" every year to inform Christians of retailers that do not acknowledge Christmas and to support ones that do. It encourages consumers to also give their "respectful opinion to retailers that pretend it (Christmas) doesn’t exist."
The list is based on research conducted by Liberty Counsel – which is dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family through pro bono assistance – and reports from consumers.
Companies listed on the Naughty list so far include American Eagle Outfitters ("Naughty" for four years for excluding "Christmas"), Banana Republic, J. Crew Outfitters, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Sprint, among others.
On the longer Nice list this year are former "Naughty" retailers Best Buy, CVS pharmacy and Disney.com, as well as JC Penney, Kohl's, Macy's, Martha Stewart, Neiman Marcus, Target, and Walmart, among others.
With Walgreens now added to the Nice list, Mathew Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel, stated, "I am pleased with Walgreens for joining the growing number of stores that recognize Christmas. We will be monitoring stores and updating our ‘Naughty and Nice List’ to help consumers support stores that support Christmas."
Too bad Rite Aide is closer to me. Hopefully Rite Aide is not on the list. Although I shop where I want because it is too much to figure who supports this and who supports that. Why do I care if the woman at the register says “Merry Christmas”. I want her to count money quicker, scan the items quicker.....that would be more of a merry christmas than a fake forced Merry Christmas.
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Stores still on the naughty list:
http://www.lc.org/index.cfm?PID=17981
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Stores to boycott:
77kids – “An American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. brand. Web site: home page “Get Up + Glow” theme. “Holiday Lookbook” guide with subtitle “Makin’ It Bright This Party Season” populates to numerous click-throughs with “Christmas” not mentioned anywhere on site. “Christmas” search produced 0 items. American Eagle traditionally “Christmas” unfriendly.” Contact stores Contact web site
aerie – An American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. brand. Web site: “Merry Aerie Gifts” on home page donned with very skimpy lingerie model. “aerie Wishlist.” “Christmas” search revealed only one brief item (pun intended). Company unusually “Christmas” unfriendly. Contact stores Contact web site
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. –Naughty for four years over egregious disregard for “Christmas.” Web site: Company profits off colors, sights and symbols of “Christmas” but exclusive of “Christmas.” “Live to Give, Love to Get,” “Holiday Wishlist” and “AE Gift Guide” on home page. Search yielded no “Christmas” items. Entire site purged of “Christmas” references. Contact stores Contact web site
Athleta – A Gap, Inc. brand. Web site: Winter snow theme but does not mention “Christmas.” Search yielded no “Christmas” items. Company does not promote “Christmas” in stores or other advertisements. Contact page
Banana Republic – A Gap, Inc. brand. Web site: use of “Christmas” colors and symbols but no mention of “Christmas.” “A Gifted Holiday” section on home page links to “Celebrate the Season.” “Holiday Looks” link on home page also links to “Celebrate the Season.” Company purged “Christmas” in stores or other advertisements. Contact page
EB Games powered by GameStop – Manager explained in 2010 GameStop’s philosophy that the company supports “ ... many religious holidays such as Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, and other holidays. GameStop does not discriminate against any religion ....” In contrast, “Christmas” is silent and neglected on their home page as well as throughout the site. A “Christmas” search revealed only ten manufacturer-labeled “Christmas” items. Contact web site
Gap – Naughty for six years over flagrant disregard for “Christmas.” Web site: “the GIVE JOY Shopping Event,” “GIFT me” and “Shop Perfect Holiday Presents” on home page. Search revealed only two secular items listed under “Christmas.” Printed ads in popular magazines “I Want Candy.” Company purged “Christmas” in stores or other advertisements. Contact Gap to politely explain why your Christmas dollars are spent at competitors who embrace “Christmas.”
Garmin – Web site: “Garmin Gift Guide” and “holiday gifts” on home page. “Christmas” search revealed 549 links to dated company blog posts on prior years’ advertisements for cash and car promotions. “Christmas” neglected throughout site. Contact page
J. Crew Outfitters – Web site: “The Mini-er The Merrier” on home page. “Gift Guide” link on home page populated “Shop the Very Merry Gift Guide.” “Christmas” search revealed five clothing articles with scant connections to “Christmas.” No other mention of “Christmas.” Although J. Crew uses “Christmas” colors and symbols to profit off “Christmas” shoppers, the company does not appear to promote “Christmas.” Contact email
Old Navy – Old Navy – A Gap, Inc. brand. Web site: “Extended Holiday Store,” and “Gift Guide” tabs on home page populates to “merry mall” and “Holiday Dressy.” “Christmas” search revealed four secular items with no mention of “Christmas.” Company does not promote “Christmas” in stores or in other advertisements. Contact email
Piperlime – A Gap, Inc. brand. Web site: “Let the holiday madness begin” and “Gift Shop” on home page. No mention of “Christmas” anywhere on site. Search redirected to page promoting women’s shoes. Company does not promote “Christmas” in stores or other advertisements. Contact email
Plow & Hearth – Web site: “Holiday Lighting,” “Happy Holidays” and “Gift Registry” are dominant themes on home page. Shoppers must scroll to the very bottom of the web page for a tiny little “Christmas Gifts” site-wide link. “Christmas” search yielded 27 “Christmas” items actually labeled “Christmas.” In contrast, online and printed Catalog “Plow & Hearth Holiday 2011” does not mention “Christmas” until page 19. Liberty Counsel commends Plow & Hearth for their progress toward acknowledgement of “Christmas” in lieu of their 2010 neglect of the “Christmas” Season but the organization still profits from “Christmas” sights, colors and symbols yet marginalizes “Christmas” at best. Contact Plow & Hearth to explain their competitors embrace “Christmas” as the focus of the “Christmas Season.” Contact page
Polo Ralph Lauren – Web site: “Christmas” colors and symbols prominently displayed with “Holiday Favorites” on home page. No mention of “Christmas” anywhere on site. “Christmas” search revealed site’s keyword to 16 non-“Christmas” items. Organization profits off “Christmas” images but omits actual references to “Christmas.” Contact email http://www.ralphlauren.com/helpdesk/index.jsp?display=store&subdisplay=contact&ab=footer_emailus
Radio Shack – Web site: “Holiday Gifts in a Snap.” “Christmas” literally purged on web site, printed and circular ads. TV Commercial: very distasteful with no allusion to “Christmas.” Contact page
Sprint – Web site: “Christmas” does not exist at Sprint. “Christmas” search revealed blog comments relative to customer care and holiday hours. Contact email page
Staples – Web site: “Holiday Center” ” on home page. Search for “Christmas” redirects to “Holiday Center” that populates “Amazing Holiday Deals” and encouragement to “Send Holiday Cheer.” “Merry Christmas” cards labeled “Holiday Cards.” “Christmas” unfriendly. Contact page
Tractor Supply Company – Web site: “Holiday Shipping” and “Christmas” décor but no mention of “Christmas” on home page “Deck the Stalls” and “Holiday” themed gift card. “Christmas” search revealed manufacturer-labeled “Christmas” items. Contact email
Here are the companies in the NAUGHTY and NICE list for 2011:
http://www.afa.net/Detail.aspx?id=2147486887
See that is why I don’t get involved in any of this type of thing. It is crazy to keep up with what store to go to and what store not too. I base my decision SOLELY on what I need or want to buy. It is ridiculous to keep a list and try to keep up with it. I guess a bunch of stores have decided to force their employees to mumble Merry Christmas. Big deal. Seriously, I could care less. I want to hear Merry Christmas from someone who really wants to say it.
Here are the companies in the NAUGHTY and NICE list for 2011:
http://www.afa.net/Detail.aspx?id=2147486887
RITE AID is DEFINITELY on the VERY NICE list.
Color Code:
GREEN: Company uses the term "Christmas" on a regular basis, we consider that company Christmas-friendly.
YELLOW: Company refers to Christmas infrequently, or in a single advertising medium, but not in others.
RED: Company may use "Christmas" sparingly in a single or unique product description, but as a company, does not recognize it.
List updated on 11-21-11
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Companies FOR "Christmas"
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Companies marginal on "Christmas" 1-800-Flowers.com |
Companies AGAINST "Christmas" Banana Republic |
Based on current advertising, below is a list of companies that avoid, ban, or use the term "Christmas" in their advertising. We will continually update the list, so check back often.
Criteria - AFA reviewed up to four areas to determine if a company was "Christmas-friendly" in their advertising: print media (newspaper inserts), broadcast media (radio/television), website and/or personal visits to the store. If a company's ad has references to items associated with Christmas (trees, wreaths, lights, etc.), it was considered as an attempt to reach "Christmas" shoppers.
If a company has items associated with Christmas, but did not use the word "Christmas," then the company is considered as censoring "Christmas."
Want to report on a company? Send your detailed report to christmas@afa.net. Please know that we receive hundreds of reports (emails) each day. We are unable to respond to each one personally, but your report will be read by one of our staff.
Note: AFA does not list local or regional companies. Only nationally-recognized companies will be listed. This list only reflects a company's "Christmas" advertising and does not take into account other corporate policies AFA may not agree with.
ACTION ALERTS!
Retailer's 'War on Christmas' already starting - and we're naming names...
SPECIAL ALERT! Legal group offers valuable resources
If you hear of instances of hostility toward Christmas expression, please let us know. AFA is working with the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) to provide resources for government and public school authorities laboring under the misimpression they must censor Christmas. You can contact ADF at (1-800-TELL-ADF ) for a copy of their legal analysis and memo on rights of seasonal expression at Christmas. We want to inform public officials about the law, and then encourage them to take a stand for Christmas.
Thanks. I still will go to Barnes and Nobles and Staples. Other than those two, I won’t go to the naughty listing. Funny how they have a list that could or could not be naughty or nice. That is how ridiculous this thing is. They can decided if a handful of places are “safe” to go to or not.
I am happy that Rite Aide is on the nice listing.....lol. I feel so happy. I may just run up there right now and yell “Merry Christmas” at the top of my lungs. Wonder what they will do.
Try this:
Go to freaking McDonald’s & order a CHRISTMAS pie —they’ll tell you, “We don’t HAVE THOSE —we have Holiday pies..”
Then tell them, “OK fine, I’ll take the LAWYER PIE...”
And I swear to God they’ll give you the Holiday Pie, cuz they KNOW you do mean THAT one...!
I’ve done this 4 times at the same McDonald’s, so far. And I’m nice about it.
I don’t know if they’re all following some strict national SOP, but this particular branch suuuure seemed like it...
>:(
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Kirkland’s is good and in fact not only wished me a Merry Christmas but also have it written on their bags! Very refreshing!
why are we about to attack Iran/Pakistan when we can’t even say CHRISTMAS in our own country..?
We have our priorities TOTALLY SCREWED UP.
Freedom of Speech? Yeah, just WATCH WHAT YOU SAY..!
re: “It is ridiculous to keep a list and try to keep up with it. I guess a bunch of stores have decided to force their employees to mumble Merry Christmas. Big deal. Seriously, I could care less. I want to hear Merry Christmas from someone who really wants to say it.”
I agree with you to a point. It doesn’t bother me if store employees say, “Happy Holidays” rather than “Merry Christmas”. I always reply to “Happy Holidays” with “Merry Christmas” anyway (and I usually get a Merry Christmas in response).
But, what DOES bother me is if a store or company issues a policy that prohibits employees from saying “Merry Christmas”. Allow employees to say or not say it - but don’t prohibit them from saying the word “Christmas”. Stores that do that I will go out of my way to avoid.
Now if they’d drop the AARP endorsement they’d be a great place to shop.
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