Buzz
While many associate the holiday season with joy and festivities, it's also become a time when disputes and controversies emerge, particularly around Christmas. This year is no exception.
In 2018, we've witnessed numerous controversies erupt around Christmas advertisements, decorations, greetings, songs, and, of course, trees. Christmas trees, as the iconic symbol of the holiday, often take the spotlight in these debates, though they are not the only source of contention.
10. 'Baby, It’s Cold Outside'
The 1944 song ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ by Frank Loesser, which earned an Oscar when featured in the 1949 movie Neptune’s Daughter, has long stirred controversy during the holiday season. However, it gained significant attention in 2007, largely due to the rise of social media. By 2018, several radio stations across the United States banned the song, deeming its lyrics offensive.
The ban followed listener complaints to radio stations, claiming that the lyrics endorsed rape. The song narrates the story of a woman who wishes to leave a man’s home. She says, ‘I really can’t stay,’ but he persuades her to stay, saying, ‘Baby, it’s cold outside.’
Emily Crockett, who addressed the controversy in 2016, noted that the woman in the film actually wanted to remain at the man’s house but felt obligated to leave because it could spark a scandal. Clearly, moral values in the 1940s were a key concern, and the idea of unmarried couples living together was looked down upon. Nevertheless, Crockett agreed that the woman was being pressured into staying.
9. Holland Tunnel Controversy
This year, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey unintentionally sparked a controversy when it added three Christmas wreaths to the entrance sign of the ‘Holland Tunnel.’ Two of the decorations were circular, while the third one had the shape of a Christmas tree in a triangle.
The first circular wreath was positioned above the letter ‘O’ in ‘Holland.’ The second wreath was placed above the ‘U’ in ‘Tunnel,’ which made the word appear as ‘Tonnel.’ The Christmas tree wreath was set over the ‘N,’ which seemed out of place. The controversy was mainly centered around the Christmas tree and the second circular wreath.
Clearly, the decoration would have been more aesthetically pleasing if the Christmas tree wreath had been placed over the ‘A,’ as the ‘A’ already resembled a tree. The second circular wreath should have been removed to avoid altering ‘Tunnel’ into ‘Tonnel.’
Cory Windelspecht was the first to raise concerns about the wreaths. He started a petition on Change.org, expressing his dissatisfaction with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s habit of placing the Christmas tree wreath on the ‘N’ rather than the ‘A’ each year. Cory argued that this could create distress for individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The petition quickly gained traction, and soon the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey conducted a poll on its website to ask commuters for their input. Following the poll, the organization decided to remove the circular wreath from the ‘U’ and move the Christmas tree wreath from the ‘N’ to the ‘A.’
8. There Is A Rang-tan In My Bedroom
In 2018, the UK supermarket chain Iceland Foods planned to release a Christmas-themed animated commercial featuring a young orangutan. The orangutan, named ‘Rang-tan,’ causes chaos in a young girl’s bedroom, hopping around, tossing things, and swinging from the furniture.
The girl, unsure of how to handle the orangutan in her room, eventually orders Rang-tan to leave. Before the orangutan exits, she asks why Rang-tan is in her bedroom. The camera then zooms in on Rang-tan’s eyes, revealing the deeper story.
Rang-tan’s home has been destroyed by humans who have turned the forest into palm oil plantations. They killed Rang-tan’s mother, and now the orangutan fears for her own life. The ad highlights the widespread deforestation caused by palm oil production in various countries.
Iceland Foods planned to air the ad in the UK, but it was banned by Clearcast, the UK’s advertising regulation body. Clearcast argued that the ad was a political statement, violating rules set in 2003. The ad was originally produced for the environmental group Greenpeace, who had used it in their anti-deforestation campaign.
7. Starbucks Christmas Cup
For years, Starbucks has been known for creating special holiday cups. The first design appeared in 1997, and there were no controversies surrounding them until 2015. Since then, each holiday cup seems to stir up its own fair share of debates, with tensions rising each year.
In contrast to previous years, the 2015 cup was plain and solid red, sparking a heated discussion. Joshua Feuerstein ignited the controversy with a video claiming that the lack of design was an effort to remove ‘Christ’ from Christmas. He even suggested that customers tell Starbucks employees their name was ‘Merry Christmas’ so that the baristas would have to say the phrase when calling out drink orders.
The 2016 cup was a green-and-white design, which some people criticized as being anti-Christmas. In 2017, a white-and-red cup was accused of being a statement in support of LGBTQ rights. By 2018, Starbucks introduced five new cups, one of which was advertised as reusable and free. However, customers were charged $2.50 for it when the free stock ran out in minutes.
6. Minneapolis Christmas Tree Controversy
In 2018, officers at the Minneapolis Police Department decided to decorate one of their precincts for Christmas. They set up a Christmas tree, and all seemed fine until a photo of the tree was shared online. The department soon faced backlash, with complaints that the tree’s decorations were racist.
It turned out that the police had replaced the usual ornaments, stars, and lights with items like cigarettes, crime tape, malt liquor, and a cup from a restaurant known for serving fried chicken. As a result, two officers were suspended, and the station’s commander, Inspector Aaron Biard, was removed from his role.
5. Rome Christmas Tree Controversy
In 2017, Rome became the focus of a controversy over its scraggly Christmas tree. In 2018, the city encountered the same issue. The Christmas trees in both years resembled more of a collection of sticks than actual trees. The middle sections were mostly bare, with only a few sparse branches left that had minimal greenery, much like the rest of the tree.
In 2017, local residents nicknamed the ragged tree ‘Spelacchio’ (meaning ‘Mangy’). In 2018, it was referred to as ‘Spelacchio #2.’ The company in charge of the tree’s installation and design explained that the branches were intentionally cut to facilitate safer transportation. They reassured that the greenery would grow in time for Christmas, but many citizens were unconvinced.
4. Deitrick Haddon’s Sexually Explicit Christmas Song
In November 2018, US gospel singer and pastor Deitrick Haddon announced plans to release a sexually explicit Christmas song. The song narrates a man expressing his desire to be intimate with his wife on Christmas Day, mentioning wanting to savor her ‘milk and cookies’ and lie in her ‘Garden of Eden.’
The Internet erupted following the announcement. Many people believe that a gospel artist should not be releasing such an explicit song, particularly not one tied to Christmas.
Yet, opinions remain split on the matter.
On one side, critics argue that the song encourages lust and contradicts the teachings of Jesus. On the other hand, some feel the song could serve as a tool for married Christian couples, especially as a playful addition before intimacy. Haddon has emphasized that his song is aimed at married couples.
3. White House Christmas Tree
The White House has a long-standing tradition of decorating for Christmas each year. The First Lady typically oversees the selection of the Christmas tree and decorations. In 2018, Melania Trump chose to feature stark bloodred Christmas trees.
However, her choice of color has faced significant backlash from some Americans. The trees have been widely criticized, sparking negative commentary. Yet, Mrs. Trump stands by her decision, calling the trees “beautiful,” “fantastic,” and noting they look even better up close. She invited critics to visit the White House to witness the trees in person.
2. Highlands Christmas Tree Controversy
This year’s controversy arises from Highlands, North Carolina, where the town, like many across the US, participates in the tradition of displaying Christmas trees. In 2017, the town adorned a tree with a star on top, but the weight of the star caused it to fall off, as the tree couldn’t support it.
In 2018, the town of Highlands displayed a Christmas tree without the usual star. Initially, a cross was placed on top of the tree, but it was ordered to be taken down as it was deemed illegal. This sparked controversy, with townspeople voicing their dissatisfaction and demanding the cross be reinstated. After several protests, the mayor decided to have the cross put back on top of the tree.
1. Bethel Atheist Banner Controversy
Each Christmas, a debate arises regarding the use of “Happy Holidays” versus “Merry Christmas.”
Non-Christians typically say “Happy Holidays,” and some Christians also prefer it to be more inclusive of those who do not celebrate Christmas. However, there are Christians who feel that “Happy Holidays” diminishes the meaning of Christmas and intentionally omits Christ. For them, it’s “Merry Christmas” or nothing.
The phrase “Happy Holidays” was not always a source of controversy. In fact, the term ‘holiday’ originates from Christianity, derived from the phrase ‘holy day,’ which signifies a day of religious significance. Christians have used “Happy Holidays” as an alternative to “Merry Christmas” for many years, though it has unfortunately gained a negative reputation in recent times.
In 2018, the town of Bethel, Connecticut, became embroiled in a controversy when local atheists erected a banner that read:
To our Bethel community, Happy Holiday Season! (whatever you celebrate) From your friendly atheist neighbors.
Some Christian residents viewed the banner as an unfriendly message and an indirect critique of Christians and their faith. They argued that the atheists should have refrained from posting the greeting. However, other Christians believed the banner was an inclusive gesture that allowed non-Christians to partake in the holiday spirit of Christmas.
