Read more Christmas stories on Newserhttp://www.newser.com/taggrid/12367/christmas.html2009 - Newseren-usNewser Feed GeneratorTue, 24 Nov 2009 6:42:38 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/74562/beware-12-scams-of-christmas.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagThe holiday season brings out the best in online scammers. CNET runs down common schemes to beware of, courtesy of McAfee: Fake delivery invoices: They look like legit emails from UPS, Federal Express, and the like, asking for address confirmation and credit card info to ensure delivery. Holiday e-cards: Make...http://www.newser.com/story/74562/beware-12-scams-of-christmas.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagSat, 21 Nov 2009 15:12:28 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/73995/christian-group-boycotts-gap-over-holiday-ads.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagA Christian group has launched a boycott of the Gap over its religion-neutral holiday ads. The American Family Association, already ticked off by last year’s campaign, which wished consumers a “Merry Gap-mas,” hit the roof over this year's “Go Christmas, Go Hanukkah, Go Kwanzaa, Go Solstice.” The tagline "looks like...http://www.newser.com/story/73995/christian-group-boycotts-gap-over-holiday-ads.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagFri, 13 Nov 2009 14:15:36 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/73286/inside-the-scientology-holiday-catalog.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagNot sure what to buy Tom Cruise for Christmas? Just take a gander at the Scientology Holiday Catalog, which Jezebel's Dodai got her hands on by way of a reader. Noteworthy items include a collection of 18 Nigerian goatskin-bound books of The Basics for a cool $2,000, a $4,...http://www.newser.com/story/73286/inside-the-scientology-holiday-catalog.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagWed, 04 Nov 2009 10:37:51 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/72576/bob-dylans-xmas-album-sort-of-insane.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagWith the announcement of Bob Dylan’s Christmas in the Heart, “smirkers got smirkier”— you try picturing Dylan singing the lyric, “How’d ya like to hang a stocking on a great big coconut tree?” without smirking—but in the end, the collection is interesting, if a bit silly; “a surreal and...http://www.newser.com/story/72576/bob-dylans-xmas-album-sort-of-insane.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagMon, 26 Oct 2009 11:13:14 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/71118/neiman-fantasy-gift-pricetags-plummet-to-mere-250k.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagThe slowdown in luxury spending has spurred Neiman Marcus to make its "fantasy items" in this year's Christmas catalog a lot less fantastic than in years past. For the first time in a decade there's no $1 million-plus items on offer, like the $20 million submarine offered in 2000 or...http://www.newser.com/story/71118/neiman-fantasy-gift-pricetags-plummet-to-mere-250k.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagWed, 07 Oct 2009 3:39:38 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/65724/ho-ho-hold-on-a-minute-xmas-in-july.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagIt's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in malls across the country as stores angle for some extremely early holiday dollars, the Wall Street Journal reports. Retailers like Toys'R'US, Sears and Kmart have dragged Santa away from his summer break and launched July Christmas promotions, hoping to boost sales...http://www.newser.com/story/65724/ho-ho-hold-on-a-minute-xmas-in-july.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagFri, 31 Jul 2009 4:38:06 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/65716/pope-plans-christmas-album.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagPope Benedict XVI has joined Guns n' Roses and Snoop Dogg on Geffen records' roster of artists and plans to have an album out in time for Christmas, the Guardian reports. The pontiff won't be crooning holiday standards, however. The album will feature Benedict singing a prayer and reciting litanies...http://www.newser.com/story/65716/pope-plans-christmas-album.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagFri, 31 Jul 2009 1:45:46 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/64457/desperate-in-july-sears-looks-to-santa-for-bailout.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagSears is taking the “Christmas in July” trope to a whole new level. With June retail sales tumbling, the company is looking for a boost by selling actual Christmas products, Time reports. Soon, 372 Sears stores will roll out displays hawking tree ornaments, stocking stuffers, and other decidedly off-season wares....http://www.newser.com/story/64457/desperate-in-july-sears-looks-to-santa-for-bailout.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagWed, 15 Jul 2009 10:30:00 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/55255/santa-shooter-had-coke-in-his-system.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagThe California man who murdered his ex-wife and eight members of her family on Christmas Eve while dressed as Santa Claus had cocaine in his system, the Los Angeles Times reports. The coroner’s office said the cocaine was present in trace amounts and was only a contributing factor to Bruce...http://www.newser.com/story/55255/santa-shooter-had-coke-in-his-system.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagFri, 03 Apr 2009 15:54:37 CDT