What's goin' on in Leo?: Naughty or Nice?

Not only does the AFA offer life sized lighted crosses, but they have a "Naughty or Nice" list. I've removed the phone and e-mail info. If you want to complain to the naughty retailers, you'll just have to hunt them down yourself.

AFA's 2008 listing of top retailers and how they recognize Christmas

Based on current advertising, below is a list of companies that avoid, ban, or use the term "Christmas" in their advertising. We urge you to contact the "naughty" companies by using the contact information provided below. 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, ect.), it was considered as an attempt to reach "Christmas" shoppers.
If a company uses the term "Christmas" on a regular basis, we consider that company Christmas friendly.
A company may be removed from the "bad" list by providing documention to AFA.
*Some companies may use "Christmas" sparingly in a single or unique product description, but as a company, does not recognize it.

Companies against "Christmas"
updated 11-14-08

Barnes&Noble Offers "Holiday Gift Guide." Christmas not found on website. Maybe they're just being inclusive of other holidays? Like maybe Hannukah?

Best Buy AFA's top SCROOGE Award winner. The 2008 "Holiday Gift Guide" goes out of its way to avoid Christmas. In an online survey, Best Buy refers to Christmas as "this holiday." But I know Bob Cratchit shops there.

Costco Costo's "Holiday Catalog" is obvious in purposely avoiding the use of Christmas. Heavily references "holiday" in its Gift Guide Catalog.

CVS Pharmacy CVS offers a "Holiday Center" on its website. The Nov. paper insert avoids using the term "Christmas."

Happy Holiday, honey. Here's some Sudafed so you can make your own crystal meth.

Dollar General - Offers "holiday" shopping on its website. No reference to Christmas.

Gap Stores (Gap, Old Navy) - Gap stores avoid using Christmas at every opportunity, being a very secular company. Maybe they're just non-discriminatory. Just sayin'.

Kroger -Website uses "holiday" extensively. Weekly ad uses "holiday."

Office Depot - Newspaper inserts reference "holiday" only. Website void of Christmas references.

Nothin' says :"Merry Christmas" like a ream of copier paper.

Olive Garden Do people really eat there?

Petsmart - In-store signage avoids using Christmas altogether. All Dogs Go to Heaven anyway.

Radio Shack - Website search for "Christmas" results in "holiday" page. No mention of Christmas anywhere.

Staples - Staples' press release referred to "holiday" 13 times without a single mention of Christmas. Last year, Staples emailed a customer to say it refused to post "Christmas" signs in their store.

Again, the stapler as ultimate Christmas gift.

SUPERVALU -Owns Albertsons and Jewel-Osco. Refers to Christmas decorations as "holiday" on website and weekly ads.

Now if you really want to know where to spend your money this holiday season, excuse me, Christmas season: