By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
For those consumers who wish to make a statement with their Christmas purchases this year, the American Family Association (AFA) has just released the 2010 “Naughty or Nice” list of stores that are either promoting or censoring Christmas.
Based on current advertising, the AFA has produced an extensive list of stores that either use the term “Christmas” in their advertising, do so only sparingly, or not at all.
“AFA reviewed up to four areas to determine if a company was ‘Christmas-friendly’ in their advertising,” writes AFA president Tim Wildmon, “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’.”
Stores that support and promote Christmas include Wal-Mart/Sam’s, Target, K-Mart, Costco, J.C. Penny, Rite-Aid, Sears, Walgreens and Macy’s.
The list of stores that use the word “Christmas” very sparingly or not at all include Old Navy, Gap, Toys R Us, Starbucks, Staples, Barnes & Noble, CVS Pharmacy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Whole Foods and Radio Shack.
A company may be removed from the “naughty” list by providing documentation to AFA. Because the list changes often, consumers are encouraged to check it regularly during the Christmas season for any updates.
The AFA is also working with the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), a public interest law firm, to provide resources for government and public school authorities who think they’re obligated to censor Christmas.
“We want to inform public officials about the law, and then encourage them to take a stand for Christmas,” Wildmon writes.
Anyone encountering hostility toward Christmas is asked to contact the AFA. Citizens can obtain copies of the ADF’s legal analysis and memo on the rights of seasonal expression at Christmas by calling 1-800-TELL-ADF.
Click here for a complete “Naughty or Nice” listing.
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