Holiday Glow Tempered by Activists’ Campaigns

The official post-Thanksgiving marathon of merriment and gift hunting began in earnest Friday. But not without a bombardment of reminders that it also ‘tis the season to be feeling anxious, guilty and, in some cases, downright angry.

From the “killer toy demonstration” on the steps of County-USC Medical Center to the credit-card-burning, anti-fur militants outside the Century City Shopping Center, the season’s warm holiday glow was invaded by the chilly drafts of several stress-making and conscience-checking events.

“Killer Toys Invade Los Angeles” warned an announcement from Safe Kids LA, which sponsored a demonstration of a child choke tester and other “practical solutions to holiday dangers.”

At Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade, Santa and Rudolph held a news conference to warn parents and children against the evil of war toys and violent video games.

Outside the Century City Shopping Center, anti-fur militants played squealing sounds of tortured animals as they splattered red paint on protesters wearing fake fur.

Some of those trying to call attention Friday to their causes at the kickoff of the holiday season admit that they reach for drama to touch the conscience.

“I guess there’s a slight guilt trip there,” said Sean Picer, who spent Friday morning at the Ontario Mills and Montclair Plaza shopping centers trying to generate support for an anti-consumerist Buy Nothing Day. With harried parents crowding to buy Pokemon and other toys, he admitted falling short of total success. But the goal, he said, is to “make people stop and think about what they are doing . . . really think about the difference between wants and needs.”

“We’re living in an information age today,” said Simon Oswitch, a spokesman for the anti-fur demonstrators. “That’s why we have to scream loudly to be heard. In a city as large as Los Angeles, we have to take things to theatrical heights.”

The group that sponsored the holiday safety session is not out to rain on anyone’s holiday parade or “put a chill on people,” said its chairman, Deane Leavenworth. “It’s really to get [people] aware. In addition to it being a time of joy, there are safety issues specific to this season.”

He said the majority of child deaths in auto accidents can be avoided with the proper use of child car seats and seat belts. “Of course, there’s a lot of traveling during the holidays and usually you’re rushing,” he added, “and that’s exactly when these sorts of things happen.”

Los Angeles County’s dump operators also want to mention that this is the start of the biggest waste-generating period of the year.

Those beautiful holiday wrappings, gift boxes and shopping bags make up 4% of all the rubbish in area landfills, a county Public Works official said Friday. The agency has a list of recycling strategies to help the environment. Among them: reuse bows and gift paper, and use the china dishes and table linens rather than the paper plates at holiday meals.

Some feel the onslaught of helpful hints, outstretched hands and guilt-messaging has gotten out of hand.

“All this stuff is taking away from the holiday season,” said Hollywood Hills resident Mo Malhotra, who was shopping at the Westside Pavilion center. “There’s too many people worried about the little things. I don’t care if I use too much gift wrap or tape, as long as everything gets covered.”

Joanna Van Trees of Santa Monica, who was at the Third Street Promenade, said, “They’re trying to get people at a weakened state.” She supports various charities and causes, she said, but not those she encounters during the holiday shopping season.

“They know it’s Christmas season,” said Jamie Gomez of South-Central Los Angeles. “They do it exactly at the right time to make you feel guilty.”

Of course, it’s hard to argue with some of the causes.

Many Westside Pavilion shoppers couldn’t help but be snared Friday by 9-year-old pianist Nicholas King. His solo benefit concert, which continues at the mall on weekends until New Year’s Eve, is trying to raise $20,000 for Childrens Hospital.

Such calls to charity and conscientious Christmas spending clearly are needed, others say.

“The main message is buy, buy, buy. Consume, consume, consume. I welcome any attempt to modify or qualify that,” said Trey Nichols, 35, who was in the food court a short distance from King’s piano concert.

A 17-year-old at the Century City shopping mall seemed to take all the competing messages and solicitations in stride.

“I think it’s fine, as long as it’s not directly interrupting your shopping.”