CHRISTmas!!!!

OK...so I am gonna rant here for a minute. I got home today and unloaded my groceries and realized all the grocery bags that carried my groceries had "Have a Jolly Holiday" decorated all over the bag. What happened to "Merry Christmas"?!?

This bothers me.

SO much so- that Im thinking about not shopping there for the Christmas holidays.

Then I heard over my local radio station that the Focus on the Family sent certified letters to the CEOs and marketing executives of 33 leading retailers inviting them to share their plans to generously use the term ”Christmas” in their 2008 catalogs and Web publications. They also requested information about their policies regarding in-store use of the term “Merry Christmas.”

In exchange for an early commitment to use the term “Christmas,” Focus on the Family offered to share the decision's with the world early in the shopping season.

Eight of the 33 retailers replied with enthusiasm and stated their plans to generously use the term “Christmas.” In fact, a number of them intend to increase their use of “Christmas” this year.

The eight that plan to intentionally recognize Christmas are:
Best Buy
Cabela's
Kohl's
Lowe's
Nordstrom
Pier 1 Imports
Toys "R" Us
Wal-Mart

Focus on the Family qoutes "We trust these industry leaders will make good on their promise and publish “Christmas-friendly” material as they roll out their catalogs and Web sites. As you observe their “Christmas-friendly” approach, please thank them and patronize their stores."

GAP, Banana Republic and Old Navy were also kind enough to send a reply but did not convey a clear commitment to use the term “Christmas.” Rather, they communicated their intent to approach their marketing in broad and diverse terms.

They have not received a reply from the following retailers:
American Eagle
Barnes & Noble
Bed, Bath & Beyond
Bloomingdale's
Borders
Circuit City
Crate&Barrel
Dick's Sporting Goods
Dillard's
Eddie Bauer
The Home Depot
JCPenney
KB Toys
Kmart
Lane Bryant
Lands' End
Linens 'n Things
L.L. Bean
Macy's
Neiman Marcus
Sears
Target

After they review the publications for all 33 retailers, they will publish their ratings. Watch for the complete list and more details on CitizenLink.com.

TAKE ACTION
Since their staff can’t possibly monitor what’s happening in local stores across the country, please let them know what you notice as you visit these 33 retailers. They encourage the utmost respect and kindness, of course, should you offer any feedback to your local stores. You can e-mail them your observations.

As you observe the “Christmas-friendly” approach of these eight retailers, please thank them and patronize their stores.

Best Buy (612) 291-1000
Cabela’s
Kohl’s (262) 703-7000
Lowe's
Nordstrom (206) 303-6000
Pier 1 Imports (817) 252-8000
Toys "R" Us (973) 617-4040
Wal-Mart