'Tis the Season

The American Family Association (AFA) has issued their annual list of retailers who are Naughty or Nice. Naughty retailers don't mention Christmas in their 'holiday' ads; nice ones do.

Companies FOR "Christmas" updated 11-24-09

Amazon.com
Bath & Body Works
Bed Bath & Beyond
Belk
Big Lots
Books-A-Million
Cabella's
Collective Brands
Costco
Dollar Tree
Family Dollar
Dollar General
H.E.B. Stores
Hallmark
Harris Teeter Stores
Hobby Lobby
Home Depot
JC Penney
JoAnn Fabrics & Crafts Stores
Kmart
Kohl's
Lowe's
Macy's
Meijer
Menard's
Michael's Stores
Neiman Marcus
Nordstrom
Petsmart
Pier One Imports
Publix
QVC
Rite Aid
Sears
Super D Drug Stores
Target
Walgreens
Wal-Mart/Sam's Club

Yes, because nothing says "Merry Christmas" better than something from a Dollar Store.

Companies marginalizing "Christmas" updated 11-24-09
Bass Pro Shops

Banana Republic

Barnes & Noble

Best Buy
Gap Stores
Hancock Fabrics
Hy-Vee Stores
Old Navy
Safeway
Starbucks
Toys R Us
Whole Foods

Companies against "Christmas" updated 11-24-09

Advance Auto Parts
Aldi
Barnes & Noble
Best Buy
CVS Pharmacy
Dick's Sporting Goods
Home Shopping Network
Kroger
Limited Brands
Office Depot
Radio Shack
Staples
SUPERVALU
Victoria's Secret

Yes, I was going to buy carburetors at Advance Auto Parts for all my loved ones.

How does the AFA figure all this crap out? Here's an explanation of their criteria:

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, etc.), it was considered as an attempt to reach "Christmas" shoppers.

If a company has items associated with Christmas, but did not use the word "Christmas," then the company is considered as censoring "Christmas."

Perhaps best of all are the comments left on their website. Here is but a sampling of the hundreds of comments posted:

12/1/2009 You incorrectly have KMart listed on the nice list. By what I've seen in their circulars they are not recognizing Christmas. I don't see Christmas referred to at all, in fact they refer to Christmas trees as holiday trees or even more ridiculously as heritage trees.

12/1/2009 I know where to spend my money at now becasue of this and if I see a store that I buy from on this list I call to let them know they will not get my hard earned money unless they add Christ into the business and also to the non-Christian that wrote the following..

11/18/2009 Thanks for the list! Reminds me to shop at CVS instead of KMart or Walmart this season! We Christains will one day see you on your knees asking For FORGIVINESS all we can do is pray for your soul Webb Family

11/30/2009 Do not shop at Crate and Barrel! For years now, they are against Christmas. In fact last year their CEO stated she refuses to say Christmas in any of their stores, advertising, or catalogs. Merry Christmas!

11/30/2009 KEEP UP THE EXCELLENT WORK !! I believe we ARE seeing a change, with many companies now referring to Christmas -- I often reply to "holiday" email offers from companies, stating that I'm waiting for their CHRISTMAS OFFERS -- and Wish Them A MERRY CHRISTMAS...(However, WE still have a fight on our hands) THANKS and MERRY CHRISTMAS

11/28/2009 It is ironic, the very holiday's that created this time for sales and spending are now tossed aside for political correctness. Taking a stance for what we believe, may not seem like much but when it comes to how I spend my money, I will chose to spend it with someone that respects my beliefs. Political correctness is not found in my wallet. Trevor Drown (I) Candidate US Senate, Arkansas

11/26/2009 You don't have to believe in Jesus or anything else. But if you respect every religious holiday of the season EXCEPT for Christmas, you don't deserve my money.

11/26/2009 Yesterday, Nov. 25th, on Facebook there was an article i read with an ad for Best Buy showing their black friday sale. In the ad it showed reference to a muslim holiday, at the same time they don't recognize Thanksgiving and are marginalizing Christmas.

11/26/2009 Palin for President 2012

11/26/2009 Thanks for keeping us posted on those who refuse to believe in what Jesus Christ went through for us, bnut lets not forget about them, we need to pray harder for them that they may come to see the light before it's too late. GOD bless all & MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

11/24/2009 It's great to have this information, CHRIST is the reason for the season, it breaks my heart to hear that so many want his name out of everything and so scared of affending anothers "belief", this is our nation, founded on God and all of his creation. I've never understood why people want to come to the US, but then are affended at OUR wonderful beliefs of our Father and his son that gave so very much for us all. I do want to spend at the stores that believe! MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and thank you again for this information.

11/24/2009 thank you, I will shop the stores that believe in Christmas. I believe in Christianity and in GOD! Merry CHRISTMAS!!

11/23/2009 Thank you AFA for doing the research. I am printing it out to utilize during my Christmas shopping and will forward it to family and friends. Also, thank you for all the info AFA provided on Old Navy. My personable, active teenage daughter was recently employed by them at our local area store. Although she enjoyed her position and they thoroughly appreciated her sales experience and personality, we encouraged her to turn in her resignation with a now completed 2-week notice. We are fortunate that she has many opportunities available with the Christian-friendly businesses in our area. Keep up the good work and God bless!!! S. Fitch ~ Ohio

11/22/2009 I am not sure I agree with all of your evaluations. Macy's (a store I like) in Austin Texas has advertised the lighting of their "Great Tree" instead of Christmas tree. Target is advertising Cashmere Trees instead of Christmas tress. You will not find the work 'jesus' anywhere in their stores.

Umm... maybe it is a great tree and maybe the Target tress (sic) are made of cashmere. Where exactly would they use the work (sic) jesus?

11/21/2009 Your companies for Christmas list is great. They will get all my business. We have said Merry Christmas longer than most people are alive today . If they don't like it move to a country that suits your religion better. Most Americans believe in a God. I'm tired of all these changes for 10% of the Americans.

11/20/2009 I am disappointed that you only publish comments that you like. This is unfortunate for a group that is touted to be such good Christians. I question that.

11/19/2009 I appreciate so much that you are doing what you are doing. There are so many things us as Christians want to do, but really don't know where to start.You make it possible for us to stand up for what we believe in and actually do something. Thank you for your stand. Thank you for letting God use you in such a mighty way. MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!!!!!!!!

11/19/2009 If Olive Garden is against using the word "Christmas" so is Red Lobster as they are the same company. They also have several other restaurants. Does anyone know what the others are?

Let's be serious. Nobody should be eating at the Olive Garden.

11/19/2009 In case you missed it, the Hallmark channel this year is doing a program on the "National" tree. But at my house we are still having a "Christ tree" Merry Christmas to you

Sweetie, there is a national tree in Washington, D.C. Maybe that's what they meant.

11/18/2009 Personally, I believe that marketing and consumerism is what's weakening Christmas's true spirit. I would way rather the holiday shopping season become completely neutral so that Christmas will once again mean something real and "holidays" can refer to the orgy of purchasing that people indulge in. Do people really believe that they're doing something religious by only shopping at stores that say Christmas? What does Jesus' birth have to do with corporations and money? If you want to do something in the spirit of Christmas with your money, why don't you donate it to poor people instead of getting more material crap that you probably don't need?