Forget the so-called “War on Christmas” that some Christians claim was sparked by Starbucks’ plain red cups. The real battleground this season is the “War on the World’s Ugliest Mall Christmas Display.” If this mall aimed to craft a Santa scene that would unite believers and skeptics alike in shared confusion and disdain, they have certainly succeeded. Honestly, I doubt anyone could find anything positive to say about this chaotic arrangement.
Roosevelt Mall has faced backlash and even threats of a boycott due to what might just be the most bewildering holiday display ever created. My words can hardly capture the absurdity; you really need to see this for yourself.
It reminds me of the set from a Lady Gaga concert I attended in 2014. What exactly is it supposed to be? A futuristic snow pod? A Jetsons-inspired Santa scene? A UFO? It may very well be the worst Christmas display ever conceived, and if it was intended to make everyone feel at ease at Roosevelt Mall, it’s a complete disaster. While I’m not particularly religious, I believe that Christmas trees belong in a Christmas display where families are taking photos with Santa. Why on Earth would they transform it so drastically?
Shoppers have already taken to Facebook to create a page highlighting this unfortunate display, and from their posts, it seems the mall is scrambling to placate those threatening to boycott. Here’s their first attempt at a more festive display:
And the second:
It’s… improving. The initial effort was lackluster with those pitiful trees, so it seems they are slowly trying to enhance it. Many comments suggest that the mall is merely giving a token gesture, and I agree. The display still looks rather barren for what should be a vibrant, festive wonderland. Maybe they’re working on additional changes, and just couldn’t pull together a magical setup quickly? Who knows. Regardless, it’s commendable to see them responding so promptly to customer concerns.
In this case, I suppose the “War on Christmas” advocates have a point. Families pay for photos at these displays, and who wants a picture in front of a bizarre, white pod instead of a beautiful, wintery holiday backdrop? The reality is that we are celebrating the upcoming holiday season, and I doubt many people are offended by Christmas trees at this time of year. This mall missed the mark significantly by altering their display so drastically, and for once, I find the critics to be justified in their frustrations.
Hopefully, the mall is working on enhancing their display to be more lush and festive. Those Santa photos can be pricey, so it makes sense that parents would want a more appealing scene to accompany them. As for the “War on Christmas” chatter? People should focus less on trivial matters like a plain Starbucks cup and save their complaints for issues that truly matter.
This article was originally published on November 10, 2015.
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In summary, the Roosevelt Mall’s Christmas display has sparked widespread discontent, reflecting a disconnect between what shoppers expect and what was delivered. Despite their initial misstep, it appears the mall is making an effort to respond to criticism and improve the holiday spirit of their display.