Christmas Friendly Stores 2014

Rating the Top Retailers and How They Market to Christmas Shoppers

 AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION

Please support retailers that market Christmas properly. Mention that you appreciate that they advertise CHRISTMAS. 

AFA's 2014 listing of top retailers and how they recognize Christmas:

BLUE: An AFA "5-Star" rated company that promotes and celebrates Christmas on an exceptional basis.
GREEN: Company uses the term "Christmas" on a regular basis, we consider that company Christmas-friendly.
YELLOW: Company refers to Christmas infrequently, or in a single advertising medium, but not in others.
RED: Company may use "Christmas" sparingly in a single or unique product description, but as a company, does not recognize it.

• AFA Online Store                                                MARGINAL
• Belk                                                                      1-800-Flowers
• Hobby Lobby                                                       Academy Sports 
•                                                                                & Outdoors
• Lowe's                                                                   Bath & Body Works
• Sears                                                                      Best Buy
• Wal-Mart                                                               Cooking.com
• NICE
• Ace Hardware                                                         CVS
• Amazon.com                                                           Fred's
• Banana Republic                                                     Radio Shack
• Bed Bath & Beyond                                                Safeway
• Bass Pro Shops                                                       Starbucks
• Big Lots                                                                  True Value
• Books-A-Million                                                     Uncommongoods.com
• Cabela's                                                                   Walgreens
• Dick's Sporting Goods                                             Whole Foods
• Dillards
• Dollar General                                                           NAUGHTY
• Gap, Inc.                                                                     Barnes & Noble
• H.E.B. Stores                                                              Family Dollar
• HSN.com                                                                    Foot Locker
• Hallmark                                                                     Limited Brands
• Hancock Fabrics                                                         Maurice's
• Harris Teeter Stores                                                    Office Depot
• Home Depot                                                                Office Max
• Hy-Vee Stores                                                             Pet Smart
• JCPenney                                                                   Staples
• JoAnn Fabrics                                                             Super Value
• Kmart                                                                          Victoria's Secret
• Kohl's
• Kroger
• L.L. Bean
• Macy's
• Marshalls
• Meijer
• Menard's
• Michael's Stores
• Neiman Marcus 
  
• Nordstrom
• Old Navy
• Pier One Imports
• ProFlowers.com
• Publix
• QVC.com
• Rite Aid
• Sam's Club
• Scheels Sporting Goods
• Super D Drug
• Target
• TJ Maxx
• Toys R Us
• Zappos.com

 American Family Association continually update the list, so check back often. AFA site for updates
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."
Want to report a company? Send your detailed report to christmas@afa.net. Please know that we receive hundreds of reports (emails) each day. We are unable to respond to each one personally, but your report will be read by one of our staff.

Note: AFA does not list local or regional companies. Only nationally-recognized companies will be listed. This list only reflects a company's "Christmas" advertising and does not take into account other corporate policies AFA may not agree with.

Christmas Friendly Stores: 2013

                                              Naughty or Nice?

                                                            2013

AFA's 2013 listing of top retailers and how they recognize Christmas:

BLUE: An AFA "5-Star" rated company that promotes and celebrates Christmas on an exceptional basis.
GREEN: Company uses the term "Christmas" on a regular basis, we consider that company Christmas-friendly.
YELLOW: Company refers to Christmas infrequently, or in a single advertising medium, but not in others.
RED: Company may use "Christmas" sparingly in a single or unique product description, but as a company, does not recognize it. 

List updated on 11-25-13 

Companies For "Christmas" AFA Online Store ACE Hardware Amazon.com Banana Republic Bass Pro Shops Bed Bath & Beyond Belk Big Lots Books-A-Million Cabela's Collective Brands Costco Dick's Sporting Goods Dillards Dollar General Dollar Tree Gap, Inc. H.E.B. Stores HSN.com Hallmark Hancock Fabrics Harris Teeter Stores Hobby Lobby Home Depot Home Shopping Network JCPenney JoAnn Fabrics Kmart Kohl's Kroger L.L. Bean Lowe's Macy's Marshalls Meijer Menard's Michael's Stores Neiman Marcus Nordstrom Office Max Old Navy Pier One Imports ProFlowers.com Publix QVC.com Rite Aid Sam's Club Sears Scheels Sporting Goods Super D Drug Target TJ Maxx Toys R Us Wall's Wal-Mart Zappos.com

Companies marginal on "Christmas" 1-800-Flowers.com Bath & Body Works Best Buy Cooking.com CVS Pharmacy Fred's Hy-Vee Stores Safeway Starbucks True Value UncommonGoods.com Walgreens Whole Foods

Companies AGAINST "Christmas" Barnes & Noble Family Dollar Foot Locker Limited Brands Maurice's Office Depot Pet Smart Radio Shack -BOYCOTT! See more Staples Supervalu Victoria's Secret

AFA continually updates 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, 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."
Want to report on a company? Send your detailed report to christmas@afa.net. Please know that AFA receive hundreds of reports (emails) each day. They are unable to respond to each one personally, but your report will be read by one of their staff.
Note: AFA does not list local or regional companies. Only nationally-recognized companies will be listed. This list only reflects a company's "Christmas" advertising and does not take into account other corporate policies AFA may not agree with.

American Family Association  link to AFA

Naughty Or Nice Stores 2012

American Family Association's NAUGHTY OR NICE

2012 listing of top retailers and how they recognize Christmas

Color Code: 
BLUE: An AFA "5-Star" rated company that promotes and celebrates Christmas on an exceptional basis.
GREEN: Company uses the term "Christmas" on a regular basis, we consider that company Christmas-friendly.
YELLOW: Company refers to Christmas infrequently, or in a single advertising medium, but not in others.
RED: Company may use "Christmas" sparingly in a single or unique product description, but as a company, does not recognize it. 
List updated on 11-28-12 

Companies For "Christmas" AFA Online Store ACE Hardware Amazon.com Bass Pro Shops Bed Bath & Beyond Belk Best Buy Big Lots Books-A-Million Cabella's Collective Brands Costco CVS Pharmacy Dick's Sporting Goods Dilliards Dollar General Dollar Tree H.E.B. Stores HSN.com Hallmark Hancock Fabrics Harris Teeter Stores Hobby Lobby Home Shopping L.L. Bean Network JC Penney JoAnn Fabrics & Crafts Stores Kmart Kohl's Kroger Lowe's Macy's Marshals Meijer Menard's Michael's Stores Neiman Marcus Nordstrom Office Max Petsmart Pier One Imports ProFlowers.com Publix QVC.com Rite Aid Sam's Club Sears Scheels Sporting Goods Super D Drug Stores Target TJ Maxx Toys R Us True Value Wal-Mart Zappos.com

Companies marginal on "Christmas" 1-800-Flowers.com Bath & Body Works Cooking.com Hy-Vee Stores Safeway Starbucks UncommonGoods.com Walgreens Whole Foods

Companies AGAINST "Christmas" Banana Republic Barnes & Noble Family Dollar Foot Locker Gap Stores BOYCOTT! Limited Brands Maurice's Office Depot Old Navy BOYCOTT! Radio Shack Staples Supervalu Victoria's Secret

Based on current advertising, above is a list of companies that avoid, ban, or use the term "Christmas" in their advertising. AFA will continually update the list, so check their site 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, 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."
Want to report on a company? Send your detailed report to christmas@afa.net. Please know that AFA receives hundreds of reports (emails) each day. They are unable to respond to each one personally, but your report will be read by one of their staff. 
Note: AFA does not list local or regional companies. Only nationally-recognized companies will be listed. This list only reflects a company's "Christmas" advertising and does not take into account other corporate policies AFA may not agree with.

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SPECIAL ALERT! Legal group offers valuable resources 
If you hear of instances of hostility toward Christmas expression, please let AFA know. AFA is working with the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) to provide resources for government and public school authorities laboring under the misimpression they must censor Christmas. You can contact ADF at (1-800-TELL-ADF ) for a copy of their legal analysis and memo on rights of seasonal expression at Christmas. AFA wants to inform public officials about the law, and then encourage them to take a stand for Christmas. 

The Possibility Is Real: Overturn Roe V Wade

 "Life at Conception Act" (S.91), which will define personhood from the moment of conception. Support Sen. Roger Wicker in his fight for the Life of the Innocent Unborn. Defend those who can't defend themselves. Due to modern technology a human being is viable at the earliest stage of life. No one can deny that the tiny life moves, breaths, sucks his/her thumb and feels pain...great pain when it is ripped from what should be the safest place a child can be...in the mother's womb.

End the Murder of the Unborn Child by taking action at the American Family Association link.

Do what is right...Do what is good....Do it Now!

"Skins" And The Souls Of Our Children

Young Cast Members of "Skins"

The MTV Show, "Skins", was brought to my attention by my dear Catholic blogger friend, Margo, at the Rosary Trail.  Please, read her insightful post Moral Decay In America for information on this issue.  Margo's concern is the "alarming manner in which teenagers are being portrayed as partying, drug-addicted, vomiting, promiscuous, masturbating, lying to their parents, sleaze-chic FREAKS." She points out that "The Parents Television Council says that the TV show may be in violation of  “federal statutes pertaining to portrayals of child sexual abuse and sexual behavior.”  Some of the actors in “Skins” are under the age of 18, and the youngest is only 15."
I believe that all parents and anyone concerned about the welfare of our youth needs to be aware of the show "Skins". We can no longer turn a blind eye to the irresponsible behavior of producers and writers and the filth they are feeding our kids. Eventually this smut becomes the fabric of their being and no longer is there a line of decency. It must stop.  A section of my response to Margo's post was this..."The devil’s ugliness is everywhere. Accountability is what is lacking in society. It’s time good and godly people did two things..one, get on our knees and storm heaven with prayer that hearts change and two, that we state loud and clear that this is unacceptable and do whatever it takes to protect the innocence of our kids." We can't afford to lose this battle or the souls of our children. We will answer before God if we do.

There is a Zombie/Undead quality
about these "children"

The information below came to me as an email from The American Family Association. Having just read Margo's post and then receiving this email, prompted me to write this post in hopes of making more people aware of this show and "The Moral Decay of America" 

 MTV's Skins uses teen-aged actors to carelessly flaunt and promote underage drinking, heavy drug abuse, violence and extreme sexual activities with each other, teachers and other adults on a scale never before seen on TV. The content is so graphic that MTV is rating the program TV-MA, but MTV is extensively marketed to high-school children!
Skins may be in violation of child pornography laws. Unless you take action, the U.S. Department of Justice and Attorney General Eric Holder will not investigate and will likely allow MTV continue to sexually exploit teen-age actors unchallenged! See the Fox News video
The New York Times reported that even MTV network execs are now concerned that the show may violate federal child pornography laws. Yet, MTV went ahead and released a Skins trailer showing a teen lesbian kiss.
The New York Times said, "Senior executives are now considering additional editing for coming episodes, but that's a little like trying to lock the door after a naked 17-year-old has already busted out and gone running down the street, which is precisely what one of the characters does in Episode 3 — with a pill-enhanced erection, no less."
In addition to the sexual content on the show involving cast members as young as 15, Parents Television Council counted 42 depictions and references to drugs and alcohol use in the premiere episode.
Already, Wrigley Company, Taco Bell, Subway and GM have pulled their ad support from the show. AFA's OneMillionMoms.com division is now calling on other advertisers to drop the show. See the list of advertisers here.
TAKE ACTION
It's not enough that advertisers are pulling their financial support from MTV's Skins. Federal child pornography laws may have been broken.

Email and ask U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate the MTV network for possible violation of federal child pornography laws.

American Family Association E-protest

Naughty Or Nice Stores For Christmas?

American Family Associations's 2010 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 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, 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."
Color Code: (I changed the original color yellow to blue for better viewing)
GREEN: Company uses the term "Christmas" on a regular basis, we consider that company Christmas-friendly.
BLUE: Company refers to Christmas infrequently, or in a single advertising medium, but not in others.RED: Company may use "Christmas" sparingly in a single or unique product description, but as a company, does not recognize it.
A company may be removed from the "bad" list by providing documentation to AFA.
For more information or other topics go to: American Family Association

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SPECIAL ALERT! Legal group offers valuable resources
If you hear of instances of hostility toward Christmas expression, please let us know. AFA is working with the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) to provide resources for government and public school authorities laboring under the misimpression they must censor Christmas. You can contact ADF at (1-800-TELL-ADF ) for a copy of their legal analysis and memo on rights of seasonal expression at Christmas. We want to inform public officials about the law, and then encourage them to take a stand for Christmas.

Companies FOR "Christmas" updated 11-17-10  Amazon.com Bed Bath & Beyond Belk Best Buy 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* AFA boycott JC Penney JoAnn Fabrics & Crafts Stores Kmart kohl's Kroger 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

Companies marginalizing "Christmas"updated 11-17-10 Bass Pro Shops Banana Republic Bath & Body Works Gap Stores Hancock Fabrics Hy-Vee Stores Old Navy Limited Brands Safeway Starbucks Toys R Us Whole Foods

Companies against "Christmas" updated 11-17-10  Barnes & Noble CVS Pharmacy Dick's Sporting Goods Office Depot Radio Shack Staples SUPERVALU Victoria's Secret