Simplify the Holidays

The holidays, meant to be a time of peace, reflection, and celebration, too often exhaust rather than uplift us. If you sometimes feel trapped by the shopping, spending, crass displays, and frenzied preparations, you aren’t alone. Our national surveys consistently show that Americans feel put upon by the commercialization of the season and want more of what matters…not just more stuff.

New Dream’s Simplify the Holidays booklet provides practical tips for having a holiday with more joy and less stuff. The booklet contains ideas on how to relieve holiday stress, set a budget, create gifts, and make your holiday more meaningful.

Ready for a bigger challenge? Commit to a “Hundred Dollar Holiday” this year, spending only $100 on gifts, decorations, and so on. It’ll be challenging, but it provides an opportunity for a more creative holiday. Check out author Bill McKibben's book Hundred Dollar Holiday: The Case for a More Joyful Christmas.

For weddings and other big events, consider using our Alternative Gift Registry, an easy online registry that can help you encourage your friends and loved ones to give gifts of time, handmade goods, charitable donations, or useful items that you truly need. This step-by-step web tool will make planning for weddings and parties easy.