As the year heads into autumn, a familiar debate begins and continues through the holiday season. It centers on whether people should say ‘Merry Christmas’ or ‘Happy Holidays’ when greeting others.
Some stores avoid using “Merry Christmas” because it isn’t considered politically correct by everyone. While many people celebrate Christmas, others do not, leading to a preference for the more neutral “Happy Holidays.”
Stores That Say ‘Merry Christmas’
Despite this, some stores stick to saying “Merry Christmas” and fully embrace the holiday. The American Family Association (AFA) recognizes these stores for their support of Christmas.
- Hobby Lobby: Known for its strong religious stance, this store plays Christmas music, remains closed on Sundays, and greets customers with “Merry Christmas.”
- Belk: Similar to Hobby Lobby, Belk continues to spread Christmas cheer during the holiday season.
- Nordstrom: This department store respects all holidays, including Thanksgiving and Christmas. They wait until after Thanksgiving to decorate and encourage their employees to enjoy the holidays.
- Home Depot: Like their counterpart Lowe’s, Home Depot is considered “Christmas-friendly” by the AFA.
- Walmart: Walmart earns a five-star rating from the AFA for actively celebrating and promoting Christmas.
- Macy’s: Known for their iconic Christmas parade, Macy’s also includes the word “Christmas” in its New York storefront displays.
- JCPenney: Although they’ve faced challenges in the past, JCPenney remains focused on Christmas during the holiday season.
- Bass Pro Shops: This store supports Christmas with a strong connection to the Duck Dynasty family and holiday promotions.
- Lowe’s: Like Home Depot, Lowe’s ensures that its staff embraces and celebrates the Christmas season.
- Toys “R” Us: Surprisingly, this store rivals Hobby Lobby in using the word “Christmas.” Their Christmas catalog is filled with toys for children.
These stores show that the debate over “Merry Christmas” versus “Happy Holidays” continues, but some remain committed to the traditional greeting.
