‘Merry Christmas’ Signs Spotted at Target as ‘Gay Santa’ Phased Out

Christmas has returned to Target stores in an unexpected fashion this year, as several shoppers have spotted “Merry Christmas” signs within stores in recent days.

The saying, which had been phased out by the chain for several years, made an unannounced return this season, prompting shoppers to share and celebrate the discovery of the phrase’s return on social media.

The retailer’s website also promotes “The Everything Christmas Shop,” a section of the website promoting the retailer’s Christmas merchandise.

Nice job @Target! Merry Christmas! 🎅🏻🎄🇺🇸 this was taken inside the store in Falls Church, Virginia. #merrychristmas #tistheseason #blackfriday #shopping #retail #holidays pic.twitter.com/aaOItufMZK

— Maria Leaf (@MariaLeaf) November 26, 2024

Target has signs that say, “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays.”

The Golden Era has begun. pic.twitter.com/DQVPnsEXVQ

— Brittany Hugoboom (@BritHugoboom) November 7, 2024

The Washington Examiner inquired about the unceremonious return of the phrase “Merry Christmas” to Target, to which the chain responded the signs are “not new.”

On Nov. 1, Target issued an article previewing its “Happier Holidays from Target” marketing campaign, which included an ad showcasing a boy and his mother visiting a Target store that quickly transforms into a winter wonderland. However, the phrase “Merry Christmas” is absent from this ad.

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The return of “Merry Christmas” signage in Target stores comes a year after it aimed to bring LGBT-themed Christmas decorations to its festivities, which included selling gay Santas and LGBT-themed nutcrackers. These products are now absent from Target’s website.

Earlier this year, Target opted not to offer its Pride collection in all of its stores, ending an annual tradition that had occurred since 2012. The chain previously faced major pushback from consumers over its Pride collection in 2023, which included collaborating with a designer celebrating satanism. Estimated losses due to boycotts related to this merchandise were reportedly around $15 billion.