Monday, March 27 12:00 AM ET

Microsoft, Sony Delay
Christmas until March

Redmond, WA - Microsoft and Sony agreed today to delay Christmas three months until March 25, 2007 for the United States and Japan.

Other countries will have Christmas in a staggered launch with France being the last country to celebrate the holiday on May 14 th. The delay will allow the two companies to launch Windows Vista and PlayStation 3 in time for the Christmas season.

Dell and Gateway both announced their support for Microsoft to put security ahead of celebrating Christ's birth. A representative for Dell said, "I think security is the greater concern for most people. When it comes to protecting their computing investment they should ask themselves 'What would Jesus do?'"

Eugene Aoki from Sony said, “Do you want kids waking up Christmas morning without a PlayStation 3 under the tree? Think of the misery that would cause. A true Christian would think of the children,” said a Sony representative.

The agreement was finalized after it was agreed that the Christmas season would still begin on November 1 st. “A five-month Christmas shopping season will be a boon to every corporation not just Microsoft and Sony,” said Aoki.

Christian groups initially opposed to the changed agreed after large cash donations by both Microsoft and Sony. “Does it matter that much what day we celebrate The One and Only Christmas presented by Microsoft and Sony™? Start it up baby!” said the Pope.

The delay of a holiday for corporate interest is not unprecedented. In 1907 Halloween was delayed three weeks, so Hershey could complete the rollout of the now famous Hershey’s Kiss.