A trip to popular charity Heifer International's Web site provides shoppers with a catalogue of animals - thumbnail images of sheep, goats, heifers, and llamas, among others, to give to a poor family, with the option of donating it in the name of a loved one. To give someone the gift of music, one no longer needs to drive to a store, pick out a CD, wrap it, and mail it. Apple's iTunes program has given consumers the option of "gifting" every song or album instead of purchasing it for themselves. An e-mail is sent to the chosen recipient with a code to download the gifted album. Besides the power to run a laptop, to all material goods are avoided in favor of a completely electronic transaction.
But what about traipsing down Newbury Street, shopping bags in hand, enjoying the holiday decorations? With all of these electronic transactions, will shoppers still waltz down "city sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style"?
Because college students rarely have the budget to purchase Christmas gifts on the eastern end of Newbury Street anyway, maybe this "green" season window shopping won't be so tempting, after all.
2008 Woodie Awards
