This year, BUY BLUE for Christmas and starve the Republican beast!

Dear BuyBlue Supporter,
http://www.buyblue.org


It seems like only yesterday, but it was almost one year ago that BuyBlue launched on December 1, 2004 with our Blue Christmas list of products and services, and the campaign contributions of the companies that make them.
http://www.buyblue.org/history


If you are new to BuyBlue, you might be asking yourself what "Blue Christmas" is all about.

Retailers make a significant portion of their yearly sales during the Christmas season. At this time of the year, we have the greatest opportunity to vote for our values with our wallets and have retailers take notice. Last year, many of us did just that, and retailers and news organizations definitely took notice.
http://www.buyblue.org/media


Since last Christmas, our volunteer researchers have been hard at work collecting articles on even more companies, filling in their political contributions, and substantiating their ratings under our new categories: Labor and Human Rights, Environment, Employment Equality, Corporate and Social Responsibility, and Industry Practices (read our research methodology). In the past year Buyblue has become a shopping list of sorts and we are striving to make all our data even more accessible.
http://www.buyblue.org/methodology


This year we have put together a list of the companies most deserving of our patronage, based on all the factors we track on our site. The result is the Blue Christmas 2005 list, a sort of "Editor's List" of products and services we recommend. You can also find information on nearly 500 companies, representing more than 1100 brands and products.
http://www.buyblue.org/BlueChristmas


We've put together several print-friendly items to take along when you're shopping this holiday season. You'll find a one-page flyer in both color and black and white versions that you can take with you or share with friends and family. You'll also find a wallet-sized list that you can print from home.

Here's what you can do to participate:

1. Vote with your wallets: If you plan to buy gifts for your friends and family this year then consider using Our Blue Christmas 2005 list to do your shopping.
http://www.buyblue.org/BlueChristmas

2. Spread the word: Help get the message out by spreading the word about BuyBlue and the campaign itself. You can find several printable flyers that talk about BuyBlue in general and printable versions of the list below. If you are involved in a local progressive or democratic organization or union, or you just have a blog or post in forums, you can spread the word there.

3. Contact retailers: As you make your purchases this holiday season let retailers know why you have chosen to patronize them. For many of the retailers on our list we have contact information on file so you can send them an email from our "Take Action" page in each company profile.

With this list, we hope that you'll be able to put your money where your values are, and vote with your wallets. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or none of the above we hope you have a safe and enjoyable time with your friends and family this holiday season.

Downloads:

Full color PDF version
http://www.buyblue.org/files/bluexmas2005_color.pdf

Black and white PDF version
http://www.buyblue.org/files/bluexmas2005_bw.pdf


Wallet-size PDF version
http://www.buyblue.org/files/bluexmas2005wallet.pdf


General Flyer - Black & White (PDF)
http://www.buyblue.org/files/BB%20Flyer%20BW_0.pdf

General Flyer - Color (PDF)
http://www.buyblue.org/files/BB%20Flyer%20Color_0.pdf

Regards,

Raven Brooks
President and Chair, BuyBlue.org


Buy Blue relies on volunteers and contributions. Please consider making a secure contribution, funding our effort!

© 2005 BuyBlue.org | Visit our website: http://www.buyblue.org

BuyBlue.org Links:

Home Page
http://www.buyblue.org

A-Z Company Listing
http://www.buyblue.org/directory/alpha

Categorized Listing
http://www.buyblue.org/directory

Ranked Listing
http://www.buyblue.org/company/ranking

I've been buying blue all along. :)

but thanks for the reminder, think what we can do if all of us here buy blue! The most important part is to send letters to red companies to tell them how much it has cost them to be red supporters.

That's a tall order, but it can be done. I like finding handmade gifts at art/craft fairs.

this year my family is giving to our local food bank and to the animal shelters instead of giving material gifts to each other.

The 'Christians' have just pushed me over the line the year: I will not celebrate the greedy-corporate-bastard christmas they envision.

J Crew, Panera Bread, The Body Shop, Barnes & Noble, Polo Ralph Lauren, Crate and Barrel, and Gap.

My company processes their gift cards. :evilgrin:

(as is Hilton) then Marriott or other Republican-donating hotel chains.

I've changed my travel patterns and now stay at Hyatt (Blue), Starwood (Blue) and Hilton (balanced Red/Blue) wherever possible when traveling on business.

(note: Starwood includes Sheraton, Westin and, ironically, the "W" hotel brands)

posting the lists. We should all shop responsibly.

:kick: