Neiman Marcus, the luxury retailer synonymous with opulence, has quietly erased the word “Christmas” from its nearly century-old annual gift catalog, renaming it the “Holiday Book.” The decision, which insiders say reeks of corporate wokeness, has drawn criticism from employees and customers alike for sidelining tradition in favor of a politically correct agenda.
For 98 years, the *Christmas Book* has been a hallmark of Neiman Marcus, showcasing extravagant offerings like last year’s $975,000 electric Cadillac and a $1.9 million 18th-century Spanish royal carriage featured in this year’s edition. Now, the catalog’s rebranding has raised eyebrows—particularly because it wasn’t mentioned in the company’s press release. Instead, the change was only confirmed after the *Dallas Morning News* pressed the retailer on the matter.
A company spokesperson explained the switch was made “in the spirit of inclusivity,” claiming it was meant to welcome customers of all backgrounds and traditions. However, some Neiman Marcus employees see the move as another example of CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck’s focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives over the company’s financial health.
“Instead of focusing on running the business, Geoffroy and his team are preoccupied with expressing their personal viewpoints about DEI,” an employee said. “If they spent as much time fixing the business, we’d be buying out Saks or launching an IPO. Instead, my job is at risk because of their failure.”
Adding insult to injury, employees reportedly learned about the name change not through internal communication but via media reports. “The book didn’t need a name change,” one disgruntled employee said. “This was a personal decision by Geoffroy and his leadership team, and it’s completely out of touch with our brand’s heritage.”
The controversy surrounding the rebranding was amplified by this year’s catalog cover, which features a model with oversized keyhole earrings against a starry night backdrop. Gone are traditional Christmas motifs like snowflakes, evergreen trees, or even a nod to the holiday season. Instead, the cover bears the vague slogan, “A Neiman’s Fantasy.”
Even media outlets were caught off guard by the change. Publications like *Forbes* and *The Hollywood Reporter* continued to refer to the catalog as the *Christmas Book,* and industry staple *Women’s Wear Daily* failed to mention the rebranding in a lengthy article about the catalog’s high-end offerings.
This corporate pivot comes during a tumultuous time for Neiman Marcus, which is on the verge of being acquired by Saks Fifth Avenue owner HBC for $2.65 billion. Employees are not only worried about their jobs but also believe this may be CEO van Raemdonck’s swan song. “We do feel that this was a last hurrah for Geoffroy,” one employee noted, suggesting his tenure may end with the acquisition.
For many loyal customers, the removal of “Christmas” from the catalog is more than a branding decision—it’s a rejection of the holiday’s cultural and spiritual significance. In a season meant to celebrate tradition, Neiman Marcus has instead chosen to embrace a sanitized, corporate-approved version of inclusivity, alienating those who cherished the *Christmas Book* as part of their holiday traditions.
