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For what it is worth. I am a seasonal worker at Macy’s. When I was in training, I asked about preferred greetings to customers. The answer was that they love Christmas and it is part of the company’s heritage; use Merry Christmas (if it’s your preference) but try to be sensitive to the customer. Most of us use Merry Christmas consistently. Large companies are going to have a hard time passing the Freeper purity test due to celebrity use or whatever.

Just to note to all regarding Target. I worked there a few years ago as a Team Lead (manager of the front end of the store). No, they didn’t allow SA to ring bells in the front, but this was due to the overwhelming number of requests that the store got.

While I was there, there must have been a half dozen groups wanting space over the Christmas season; some even threatened boycotts citing the bad press over the SA. The local store had no say; corporately they decided that if you let one in you have to let them all in. Not everbody wants to be accosted by bell ringers, girl scouts, soccer teams, Sierra Club etc. when they go shopping. I don’t mind myself, but it can be a bit much sometimes. Hooray for Wal-Mart if they can somehow walk that line, but I understand and accept Target’s position.

As far as SA goes, the year I worked at Target they gave the SA $1M plus the proceeds of an exclusive SA ornament that they sold at the stores. I expect that that was as much as SA might have gotten through it’s kettles without any of the work. Target is a strong supporter of local groups and charities. Again, as a large corporation, they do what they can but you can’t make everyone happy.