Wal-Mart decides to bring "Christmas" back

November 12th, 2006

New York, NY - Wal-Mart has decided to bring "Christmas" back this holiday season.

After being ridiculed by critics last year for switching its holiday message from "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Holidays," the world's largest retailer changed its mind again.

"I think we learned a lesson last year," Wal-Mart spokesman Steven Restivo said. "We listened to our customers. There's a call to return to a core Merry Christmas message. We're proud to say Christmas is back at Wal-Mart this year."

Wal-Mart isn't the only company doing it. Although Best Buy Co. is sticking with "Happy Holidays," retailers such as Kohl's Corp. and Walgreen Co. are returning to Christmas.

"Wal-Mart has seen the light," said Mathew Staver, founder of Orlando, Florida based Liberty Counsel. "The American people are tired of having Christmas censored or secularized."

Restivo said greeters can "use whatever they're comfortable with, whether it's Happy Hanukkah or Feliz Navidad."

Wal-Mart needn't fear it will receive a lump of coal in its stocking or see its 44 Bay State stores picketed by the Coalition to Save Christmas in Massachusetts.

"It's starting to feel like 'Miracle on 34th Street,' " said Lynnfield developer Robert Marley, who started the coalition this week with his brother, Kevin, and friends.

Marley said he has received e-mails of support from as far away as California and the Middle East.