Americans opt for a 'green' Christmas

Fifty-three percent of Americans prefer green holiday gifts. But is a real tree better than a fake one?

from the December 24, 2007 edition

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Two recent studies support such anecdotal evidence of a shift in Americans' attitudes toward gifts and giving. One, a survey by Conservation International, an international environmental organization, found a majority of Americans (53 percent) – preferring to receive green gifts over the holidays, compared with a traditional gift of equal value. Two in five (43 percent) said they planned to give green gifts.

Another national survey by the accounting firm Deloitte & Touche USA, found almost 1 in 5 consumers (18 percent) expected to purchase more ecofriendly products over the holidays.

"Most importantly, a significant number of people – 17 percent – are willing to pay more for 'green' gifts or supplies, which tells us that this issue is on shoppers' minds this year and is becoming more central to consumers' purchasing decisions," said Stacy Janiak, Deloitte's US Retail leader in a statement.

Setting the pace for this year's "green Christmas" shift by holiday revelers is a move away from wasteful incandescent lights for trees and buildings, toward efficient light-emitting-diode (LED) lights. The White House, Rockefeller Center, and the Statehouse in Boston touted LEDs this year. Even though they are three to four times more costly, retailers reported strong sales.

In St. Louis, Mo., the First Unitarian Church of St. Louis is decorating the church's 12-foot tree with 1,800 LED lights this year, in addition to having a drive for recycled gift wrapping.

"We're trying to deepen our holiday commitment to the environment this year with LED lights," says Donna Agah, a member and a leader of that congregation's green movement.

But for many, choosing what kind of tree to hang their lights on has proven a major point of debate this year. Some argue that real trees are the greenest because the cut kind can be recycled and those with roots can be planted, while fake trees are often made from petrochemicals.

Christmas tree associations like to note that natural trees produce oxygen, consume carbon dioxide, and are renewable. They also control erosion and provide animal habitat.

But several opponents argue that the greenest Christmas tree is faux, sparing the tree rather than spoiling the planet. In the "Going Green: A step-a-day program for lazy suburbanites" blog, "Burbanmom" told of digging her old fake Christmas tree out of the attic, shaking off spiders, and putting it up in the living room.

Even though it was a "giant fake, plastic, imported tree covered with tiny, energy-sucking light bulbs," Burbanmom wrote, "I'm pretty sure this is the most ecofriendly choice." Why? Because she already owns it.

"If it is something I already own, then the damage has already been done and the best I can do is take good care of it and use it well," she wrote.

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