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Naughty and Nice List Returns for Christmas 2006 CWA is making a list and checking it twice.
"We learned our lesson from last year that the majority of people wanted to hear us say 'Christmas,' and we're saying 'Merry Christmas' this year, but not to the exclusion of the other holidays," Wal-Mart Senior Vice-President Julie Roehm told "NBC Nightly News."
Last year, the retail giant's seasonal advertising lacked the mention of Christmas, and store employees were initially told not to say "Merry Christmas." This year, the chain is encouraging associates to greet shoppers with a collection of holiday recognitions including "Merry Christmas," "Happy Holidays," "Happy Hanukkah," "Feliz Navidad," and "Happy Kwanzaa."
Target, which was hammered for two years for banning Salvation Army bell ringers from its stores, added insult to injury when its 2005 TV ads contained no mention of the word "Christmas." Disgruntled shoppers called and emailed the chain, causing the head office to place a quick re-order of some ads from the production company to include "Merry Christmas" below the Target brand emblem.
This year, Target has launched a partnership with the Salvation Army that kicked off November 16 with a $1 million donation. While the red kettles and bell ringers will still not be seen in front of Target stores, shoppers will still have the opportunity to donate to the Salvation Army.
"This year we're going electronic," Major George Hood, National Spokesman for the Salvation Army, told CWA.
Target.com has launched an online promotion of the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program. Visitors to Target.com/Salvation Army "will be able to purchase a virtual ornament for any chosen dollar amount to provide new clothing, toys or food to families in need," says the Salvation Army press release.
"That link will send them to the Salvation Army's donation site online, and all donated funds will be directed back to the donor's local community," said Major Hood.
Target will also be selling, both online and in its retail stores, a special edition Harvey Lewis angel ornament accented with red SWAROVSKI crystals. The ornament is priced at $9.99, and 100% of the profits will benefit the Salvation Army.
Major Hood adds that Wal-Mart is continuing its long-standing affiliation with the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign, even encouraging its associates to volunteer as bell ringers.
Denny's has become the first restaurant chain in the nation to join the Angel Tree campaign, setting up a tree in each of its restaurants this year - even a few in Canada, according to Major Hood.
Scrooged
Dawn Bryant, Best Buy Spokesman told Chicagoist, "We're going to continue to use the term 'holiday' because there are several holidays throughout that time period, and we certainly need to be respectful of all of them."
It is a sign of progress in this battle, however, that Best Buy is alone in making a public declaration that it will not be saying "Merry Christmas" in its advertising. While other Scrooge merchants are bound to be out there, they are keeping a low profile, hoping to catch as many Christmas shoppers as possible before they are found out.
Manny Zamorano, founder of the Committee to Save Merry Christmas, has been contacting retail chains this summer and says that Macy's has committed to saying "Merry Christmas," as has Kohl's and TJX stores, which include T.J. Maxx, Marshall's and others. Zamorano is posting the letters from corporate headquarters on his home page as they are received.
"Kohl's also stated that staff is encouraged to freely greet others during Christmas as they wish...including 'Merry Christmas!'" Zamorano notes on his Web site.
Shoppers React
"We're taking back Christmas," Robert Marley told The Boston Herald. The Lynnfield, Massachusetts brothers will be picketing in front of local malls and stores that refuse to display or say "Merry Christmas."
"This year, I will not shop in any store that does not display the words 'Merry Christmas,'" Marley said. "Someone has to take a stand. We're going to get 'tolerated' right into hell," he added.
The American Decency Association, the American Family Association and The Catholic League are jingling the bells of retailers that refuse to acknowledge Christmas. Online communities, like www.mymerrychristmas.com, have been keeping tabs on how retailers are keeping Christmas.
CWA will also be making a list and checking it twice. If you notice a retailer that is not acknowledging Christmas, or you see a retailer that should be commended, please contact CWA.
Naughty and Nice 2006
NICE:
SCROOGES:
The status of many retailers is still unknown, but will be added to the list as we receive word.
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Many retailers learned the hard way last year that it just doesn't pay to mess with Christmas. Target, Wal-Mart, Macy's and Sears are among the stores that made a mid-season shift from the generic "Happy Holidays" to "Merry Christmas." Concerned Women for America's Naughty and Nice list kicks off the 2006 Christmas season with many stores - previously on the "Naughty list" or in the ambiguous middle - now squarely in the "Nice" category.
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Concerned Women for America 1015 Fifteenth St. N.W., Suite 1100 Washington, D.C. 20005 Phone: (202) 488-7000 Fax: (202) 488-0806 |
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