The conservative group American Family Association also is continuing to call out companies that it believes are undermining the public celebration of Christmas. A recent action alert has urged members to write to the department store chain Kohl’s for “taking a misleading, in-your-face attitude when it comes to Christmas.”
Specifically, the group alleges that Kohl’s has ignored a promise they made to include the word “Christmas” prominently in their holiday marketing materials. The chain says in its “About Us” frequently-asked-questions area, “Like last year, Kohl’s is embracing the Christmas spirit and will include “Christmas” in its advertising. It will be featured in print, TV, and radio throughout the season.” But the AFA is disappointed in the showing so far. The Kohl’s homepage touts a “Holiday Shop” and “Home for the Holidays” but does not mention Christmas, and Kohl’s mentions Christmas in only 6 of their 18 holiday fliers. “Why would Kohl’s ban Christmas? The obvious answer is they don’t want to offend non-Christians,” the AFA action alert said.

A second action alert is directed at The Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic. Despite efforts last year to urge these comapnies to include “Christmas” in their December materials, “holidays” rule the day, and the only item that contains the word Christmas this year is a pair of Gap boxers.