aTypical Joe: a gay New Yorker living in the rural South

Saturday, November 17, 2007

War on Christmas ‘Naughty’ company list

The Liberty Counsel’s “Friend or Foe” campaign to keep the word “Christmas” alive in holiday advertising has put out a list of retailers who “are profiting from Christmas while at the same time pretending that it does not exist.”

The Naughties:

Ace Hardware: Holiday Decorations section on web site. Christmas Trees are referred to as Trees.

Banana Republic: Web site: Kick off the party season in style, Holiday Gift Guide. No mention of Christmas.

Bloomingdales: Web site: Gifted 2007, one Christmas ornament, one Christmas makeup kit, no celebration of Christmas made evident, no Christmas e-card or gift card, but there is a Hanukkah e-card.

Circuit City: Web site: Holiday Gift Guide, Free shipping by December 24th. Only mention of Christmas is in the shipping fine print.

Dicks Sporting Goods: Web site: The Gift Center. No mention of Christmas.

Gap: Web site: For the Season. Holiday Doggie Pajamas, Sweet Holiday Dreams Long Sleep Set, Holiday Graphic Bodysuit, Holiday Letters Bodysuit. No mention of Christmas.

Giant Eagle Pharmacy: Mentions holiday, holiday cards, Festive Seasonal Boxed Cards, and the slogan Reach for the Stars this Holiday Season on the web site. No mention of Christmas.

Hollister Co: Web site: SoCal X-Mas video, Holiday Beach video. No mention of Christmas.

Home Depot: Web site: Everything is red and green, but its the Holiday Gift Center, Holiday Decorations, Home for the Holidays, Artificial Trees, not Christmas trees. No mention of Christmas.

J. Crew Outfitters: Web site: Holiday Look Highland Holiday, The Very Merry Gift Shop, and Were Going Home for the Holidays.

K-Mart: Web site: Holiday Shop, Holiday Toys, Get it in time for the Holiday, Holiday Planner. They are calling Christmas The Holiday. Some local store managers may be hanging Christmas signs, but the company does not appear to be celebrating Christmas.

Kohl's: “Holiday shopping list,” no Christmas trees: just Trees, “Hanukkah” section, “Holiday: find the perfect gifts,” “45 days left: shipping deadlines,” “stocking stuffers,” “St. Nicholas station” and “Nativity” section, but never mentions “Christmas.”

Lane Bryant: “Holiday HQ,” “Gift Guide,” “For a truly special holiday gift…” “Holiday Season,” “Holiday Looks,” and “Holiday Style” on the web site. Typing “Christmas” in the search engine brings up nothing.

Marshalls: Front Page of the web site: “Who Wants a Holiday That Looks Like Everyone Elses?” “Holiday Style,” and “Holiday Decorating Ideas.” No mention of Christmas.

Nordstrom: Web site: “Once Upon a Holiday… gifts were given,” “Great Gifting.” No mention of Christmas. Dec 19 “Last day to make Holiday deadline.”

Office Max: Web site: “Great Gifts for the Holiday,” “Snappy Holiday Gift Ideas,” “Furnish your office in time for the holidays,” and “Everything you need this holiday season and beyond.” No mention of Christmas.

Old Navy: “Holiday Favorites,” “Holiday Morning,” “Season in Style,” and “Holiday Gift Guide” sections on the web site. No mention of Christmas.

Pet Smart: Web site: “Holiday Central,” “Photos with Santa Claws,” “Holiday Games,” “Holiday Wrapping Paper,” and “Holiday Shops.” No mention of Christmas.

Sears: Online: December 25 is the “holiday.”

Shopko: Report: Newspaper ad says they are selling “holiday lights”, “holiday trees”, and other “holiday items.” Web site: “Holiday ornaments, trees and lighting.”

Sprint: Web site: “Tis the season to give SprintSpeed,” “Holiday Entertainment,” “Holiday Season,” and “Sprint lights up the Holidays.” No mention of Christmas.