There is something about the combination of purchasing a latte served in a snowflake-patterned cup, watching the CNN reports about the hysteria of Black Friday shoppers, and watching neighbors put up lights over Thanksgiving break that creates a perfect storm causing even the weariest end-of-semester student to daydream about walking down Newbury Street, toting four or five large shopping bags full of opulently wrapped gifts.
But this year, another pre-holiday phenomenon has entered the mix: glossy spreads and talk show segments about ringing in the holiday season with Mother Earth in mind.
With every gift purchased, tissue paper and plastic bags follow. With every trip to the outlets, a gallon of gas and a cup of Dunkin' Donuts coffee are consumed. With every Christmas morning or Hanukkah evening, a garbage bag full of wrapping paper reminds the contented revelers of the waste inherent in modern gift giving.
According to the Environ
mental Protection Agency, Americans create 25 percent more waste between Thanksgiving and Christmas than at other times of the year.
This year, "going green" became a national obsession, at least for the media. Former presidential candidate Al Gore reinvented himself as a spokesperson for the movement, which culminated in his Nobel Peace Prize win in October. Movie star Leonardo DiCaprio wrote, narrated, and produced The 11th Hour, a documentary which looks at the earth's unhealthy ecosystems and ways to improve them.
This week, The New York Times House and Home section featured a story that profiled planners of the most exclusive galas attempting to make their extravagant parties more eco-friendly. In July, national organic and natural foods chain Whole Foods Market caused a shopper - and later media - frenzy when they sold designer Anya Hindmarch's canvas bags with "I'm Not a Plastic Bag" written across the front. "I hate the idea of making the environment trendy, but you need to make it cool and then it becomes a habit," Hindmarch told The New York Times. Three thousand of her bags were sold in 29 minutes at a New York City store. With endorsements from politicians, movie makers, party planners, and fashionistas, being green has received a lot of press.
2008 Woodie Awards
