When you think of the holidays you picture twinkling lights, cozy sweaters, and sweet treats. Yet, every December seems to bring its own batch of heated debates, and this year was no exception. Below we dive into the 10 christmas controversies that stole the spotlight, from songs and ads to trees and banners.
10 christmas controversies: A Festive Look at the Year’s Biggest Debates
10 ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’
Frank Loesser’s 1944 classic “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” which snagged an Oscar after appearing in the 1949 film Neptune’s Daughter, has been a perennial flashpoint during the holiday season. While the tune enjoyed decades of airplay, the rise of social media around 2007 amplified scrutiny, and by 2018 an increasing number of U.S. radio stations decided to pull the song from rotation, citing concerns that its lyrical content crossed the line into harassment.
The controversy erupted after listeners flooded stations with complaints, arguing that the back‑and‑forth dialogue—where a woman tries to leave a man’s home and he persuades her to stay with the refrain “Baby, it’s cold outside”—read like a thinly veiled endorsement of coercion. Critics pointed out that the lyrics could be interpreted as minimizing a woman’s agency, prompting several broadcasters to issue bans.
Emily Crockett, who dissected the song in a 2016 essay, highlighted the historical context: in the 1940s, cohabitation outside of marriage was socially frowned upon, and the female protagonist’s reluctance was framed by the era’s moral standards. Crockett concluded that, despite the period‑specific nuances, the woman’s apparent pressure to remain was unmistakably coercive by today’s standards.
9 Holland Tunnel Controversy
This year the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey unintentionally sparked a holiday kerfuffle when it draped three festive wreaths over the iconic “Holland Tunnel” entrance sign. Two of the decorations were classic circular wreaths, while the third took the shape of a tiny Christmas tree, leading to a rather puzzling visual.
The first circular wreath was perched over the “O” in “Holland,” and the second sat atop the “U” in “Tunnel,” which unintentionally transformed the word into “Tonnel.” The tree‑shaped wreath was affixed over the “N,” producing an odd‑looking arrangement that quickly caught the public’s eye.
Observant commuter Cory Windelspecht was the first to voice discontent, launching a Change.org petition that argued the wreath placement was an oversight that could even trigger obsessive‑compulsive distress for some travelers. He specifically noted that the tree would have looked far more appropriate over the “A,” which already resembles a fir silhouette.
After the petition gathered momentum, the Port Authority opened a poll on its website to gauge commuter preferences. The resulting vote prompted officials to remove the circular wreath from the “U” and relocate the tree wreath from the “N” to the more fitting “A,” appeasing many critics.
8 There Is A Rang‑tan In My Bedroom
In 2018, UK supermarket chain Iceland Foods prepared an animated Christmas spot featuring a mischievous orangutan named “Rang‑tan” who wreaks havoc inside a young girl’s bedroom. The short shows the primate leaping from furniture to furniture, scattering belongings, and hanging from the ceiling, all while the girl narrates her bewilderment.
As the ad progresses, the girl asks why the orangutan is in her room. The camera then zooms into Rang‑tan’s eyes, revealing a stark backstory: humans have razed the orangutan’s forest to make way for palm‑oil plantations, killing her mother and threatening her own survival. The commercial was intended as a powerful commentary on deforestation linked to palm‑oil production.
Clearcast, the UK advertising regulator, stepped in and banned the spot, labeling it a political advertisement that violated the 2003 rules governing political content. The ad originally stemmed from a Greenpeace campaign against palm‑oil driven deforestation, which added to its political overtones.
Ironically, the ban amplified the clip’s reach; viewers flocked to the internet to watch the forbidden spot. Clearcast’s decision also triggered a flood of over 3,500 emails and hundreds of phone calls, many of which contained threats. The agency even removed staff photos from its site and shut down its Facebook page to protect employees.
7 Starbucks Christmas Cup
Since 1997, Starbucks has rolled out a fresh, limited‑edition cup each holiday season, turning the humble coffee vessel into a collector’s item. The tradition sailed smoothly for nearly two decades, but in 2015 the brand found itself in the crosshairs of a cultural debate.
The 2015 cup was a stark, solid red design that some commentators, most notably influencer Joshua Feuerstein, claimed was an attempt to strip away the religious element of Christmas. Feuerstein urged customers to order their drinks under the name “Merry Christmas,” forcing baristas to vocalize the phrase and, in his view, re‑inject the holiday’s Christian roots.
Subsequent years saw a parade of new designs: a green‑and‑white cup in 2016 that drew accusations of being anti‑Christmas, a white‑and‑red version in 2017 labeled “pro‑gay” by certain critics, and a 2018 lineup of five cups—including a supposedly free reusable option that quickly sold out, leaving many patrons to shell out a $2.50 charge for the “free” cup.
6 Minneapolis Christmas Tree Controversy
In 2018, officers at a Minneapolis police precinct decided to deck the halls with a festive Christmas tree, thinking it would spread holiday cheer among the community. However, once a photo of the tree made its way online, a wave of criticism surged, accusing the display of racial insensitivity.
The tree’s traditional ornaments, star topper, and twinkling lights were replaced with a grim assortment: cigarettes, crime‑scene tape, malt liquor bottles, and a fried‑chicken restaurant cup. The jarring juxtaposition sparked outrage, with many arguing that the decorations trivialized serious social issues and perpetuated harmful stereotypes.
Two officers directly involved in setting up the tree were placed on administrative leave, while the station’s commander, Inspector Aaron Biard, was removed from his post amid the controversy, underscoring the seriousness with which the department treated the backlash.
5 Rome Christmas Tree Controversy
Rome found itself at the center of a holiday dispute in both 2017 and 2018, when the city’s official Christmas trees appeared more like skeletal sticks than lush evergreens. The central trunks were largely barren, with only a smattering of branches clinging to the middle, prompting locals to dub the 2017 specimen “Spelacchio,” meaning “mangy.”
The following year, citizens labeled the new tree “Spelacchio #2,” echoing the same frustration. Critics argued that the sparse foliage turned the festive symbol into a visual disappointment, questioning the city’s commitment to holiday spirit.
The firm responsible for installing and designing the trees defended the appearance, explaining that branches were deliberately trimmed to facilitate safer transport. They promised that the trees would regrow foliage before Christmas, but many residents remained unconvinced, demanding a more verdant display.
4 Deitrick Haddon’s Sexually Explicit Christmas Song
In November 2018, acclaimed gospel singer‑pastor Deitrick Haddon announced plans to drop a Christmas‑themed track that left little to the imagination. The lyrics feature a husband expressing his desire to make love to his wife on Christmas Day, complete with playful references to “milk and cookies” and a “Garden of Eden” setting.
The announcement ignited a firestorm online, with many arguing that a gospel artist should keep his holiday output spiritually focused rather than overtly sensual. Critics warned that the explicit content clashed with the traditionally sacred tone of Christmas music.
Supporters, however, defended the song as a celebration of marital intimacy, noting that Haddon specifically targeted married couples. They argued that a tasteful, consensual love song could coexist with the season’s festive atmosphere without undermining its deeper meaning.
3 Bethel Atheist Banner Controversy
Every December, the phrasing “Happy Holidays” versus “Merry Christmas” becomes a flashpoint, reflecting deeper cultural tensions. While many non‑Christians default to “Happy Holidays,” some Christians also adopt the phrasing to be inclusive, yet others view it as an attempt to erase the holiday’s Christian origins.
Historically, “holiday” derives from “holy day,” a term rooted in Christian tradition, and the greeting has long been used interchangeably with “Merry Christmas.” Nonetheless, the wording has taken on a contentious edge in recent years.
In 2018, Bethel, Connecticut found itself in the middle of this debate when a local atheist group erected a banner that read: “To our Bethel community, Happy Holiday Season! (whatever you celebrate) From your friendly atheist neighbors.” Some Christian residents perceived the sign as a hostile gesture, while others appreciated its inclusive spirit.
2 Highlands Christmas Tree Controversy
Highlands, North Carolina, like many American towns, prides itself on a festive holiday tree. In 2017, the community’s tree sported a shining star atop its boughs, but the weight proved too much and the star snapped off, leaving a noticeable gap.
The following year, officials installed a new tree without a star, opting instead for a cross as the centerpiece. However, local authorities deemed the cross placement illegal, prompting its removal and reigniting community debate over appropriate holiday symbolism.
Residents voiced strong opinions, with many demanding the reinstatement of the cross. After a series of protests, the town’s mayor ultimately ordered the cross to be returned to the tree, satisfying the vocal portion of the populace.
1 White House Christmas Tree
The White House has long upheld a tradition of showcasing a grand Christmas tree each holiday season, with the First Lady typically overseeing the selection of the tree and accompanying décor. In 2018, First Lady Melania Trump opted for a series of plain, blood‑red firs that stood out for their stark simplicity.
Critics quickly seized on the choice, labeling the trees as garish and questioning the aesthetic decision. The red trees attracted a flurry of negative commentary across social media platforms, with many suggesting the hue was overly dramatic.
Undeterred, Melania defended the look, describing the trees as “beautiful,” “fantastic,” and visually striking up close. She even invited detractors to visit the White House in person to see the trees firsthand, underscoring her confidence in the decorative choice.