Metro Voice News Celebrating Faith, Family & Community
Luxury retailer Neiman Marcus continues to face backlash over the renaming of its iconic Christmas catalog.
The Dallas-based department store has replaced “Christmas Book” with “Holiday Book” for its annual gift guide which has been published for 98 years. The move is sparking debate on social media and drawing criticism from customers and employees.
A previous Christmas Book cover. Image: Ebay.
“Neiman Marcus has a long heritage of celebrating the holidays with our customers, and we are honored to be part of their traditions,” the company said in a statement. “This year, we’ve named the catalog the Holiday Book in the spirit of being more inclusive as we welcome customers of all backgrounds, religions, and traditions to celebrate with us this season.”
The publication, known for its extravagant “Fantasy Gifts” section, originated in 1915 as a Christmas card inviting customers to begin their holiday shopping. The catalog has featured notable items over the years, from last year’s $975,000 electric Cadillac to the memorable his-and-her Egyptian mummy cases in 1971.
Conservative leader and author Craig Huey criticized the change, saying, “For over a century, their catalog has embraced the Christmas season, yet now it’s embracing a radical DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) agenda.” Huey noted that while the company promotes inclusivity, “the cover shows little to distinguish it as a holiday catalog. It shows a model posed against a vague, starry night sky.”
The 2024 cover. Image: Neiman Marcus.
Some employees have expressed dissatisfaction with the change, which they learned about through local media coverage. One employee, speaking on condition of anonymity, criticized CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck’s leadership priorities, suggesting the focus should be on business performance rather than rebranding efforts.
The company maintains that Christmas remains central to its seasonal celebrations, pointing to ongoing traditions such as “Breakfast with Santa” events and Christmas tree lightings. Neiman Marcus also emphasized that it has been using the term “holiday” broadly for decades, reflecting the extended shopping season from Thanksgiving through New Year’s.
Chief Brand Officer Nabil Aliffi said the catalog’s theme draws on “theatrical traditions and folklore from the brand’s founding era,” inviting customers to enjoy “the excitement of the season.”
Huey countered the corporate narrative, stating, “But for many faith-based customers, the heart of the season isn’t ‘fantasy’—it’s about honoring Christmas and all it stands for – Jesus is the reason for the season.”
The name change comes as retailers this year are navigating away from public DEI initiatives promoted in advertising.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice
