A Dallas music teacher may be this season's "Grinch" after telling a group of first-graders there is no such thing as Santa Claus. As a result, the school has been inundated with parental complaints, and the Richardson School District has issued a pro-Santa statement.

Lunch menus displaying a "Merry Christmas" message have been thrown out and replaced in the Federal Way school district south of Seattle. The December menus for the district's 23 elementary schools were recalled and reprinted with a "Happy Holidays" banner, the cost of which nearly came to $500.

Controversy surrounds a company e-mail sent out by Wal-Mart officials suggesting its employees say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas. " While the major retail giant has released a statement saying they meant no disrespect, the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights is calling for a customer boycott until a formal apology is made.

Feeling guilty about writing a check instead of taking the time to find the perfect gift for the teens on your shopping list? A recent "Money Matters Holiday Survey" confirms that cash is king when it comes to satisfying teenagers' wish lists at holiday time. The survey, conducted by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), includes insights from more than 700 teen members nationwide, 286 of whom have participated in the Money Matters: Make It Count program, a joint initiative of BGCA and The Charles Schwab Foundation, which promotes financial literacy among teens from disadvantaged circumstances.