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General Discussion => Throw Down the Gauntlet => Topic started by: PtboEliz on November 17, 2014, 04:51:32 PM

Title: Pledge to Simplify the Holidays! (Center for a New Amer Dream)
Post by: PtboEliz on November 17, 2014, 04:51:32 PM
The Center for a New American Dream has launched a campaign to simplify the holidays - take the pledge at the link below (there are several categories you can pledge on) and pass along. The website lists all kinds of good ideas.

http://www.newdream.org/programs/beyond-consumerism/simplify-holidays/  (Pledge at bottom left :)

Want your holidays wrapped in more meaning — and less stuff?

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, and frenzied preparations, you aren’t alone.

Increasingly, Americans {Edit: and everyone else - Canadian here :)} are tired of the commercialization of the season and want more of what matters… not just more stuff. This year, you don’t have to rack up credit card debt or get swept up in the season’s commercialism. Instead, consider creating holidays that instill more meaning into the season and encourage more sharing, laughter, creativity, and personal renewal.

With our Simplify the Holidays campaign, New Dream is here to help you get started. We hope our tips and resources will help you reduce stress and increase personal fulfillment during this holiday season.
Title: Re: Pledge to Simplify the Holidays! (Center for a New Amer Dream)
Post by: PtboEliz on December 17, 2014, 01:31:02 PM
With a week to go to Christmas, anyone out there tired of the commercialization and insane running around?
Title: Re: Pledge to Simplify the Holidays! (Center for a New Amer Dream)
Post by: Rural on December 17, 2014, 03:04:44 PM
With a week to go to Christmas, anyone out there tired of the commercialization and insane running around?


I've managed to avoid it fairly successfully, but it'll certainly be easier to buy groceries when it's all over!
Title: Re: Pledge to Simplify the Holidays! (Center for a New Amer Dream)
Post by: Cookie78 on December 17, 2014, 03:36:49 PM
With a week to go to Christmas, anyone out there tired of the commercialization and insane running around?

I've managed to completely avoid it this year.

The fact that I have very few gifts to give this year, combined with a lot of unused or gently used things I'm getting rid of (de-cluttering), plus a few homemade gifts, means I haven't had to buy any yet. Boyfriend and I are not exchanging gifts, instead we are taking a road trip to Baja together, then driving up to Palm Springs to see girlfriend and her family for a day or two (she gets a homemade gift).

I'm pretty much done with the commercialism aspect, but I do wish I lived closer to my parents, brothers, nieces and nephews so I could do more meaningful time-based gifts.
Title: Re: Pledge to Simplify the Holidays! (Center for a New Amer Dream)
Post by: tracylayton on December 19, 2014, 07:44:35 AM
It usually bothers me a lot by this time of December, but not this year. I didn't have to go to any department stores. I am only giving 6 gifts this year...$100 cash to each of my 3 kids, $50 cash to my nephew (because we drew his name), $25 gift card to my mom, and a $15 toy for my 2 year old great nephew. I didn't send out greeting cards, and was only invited to 1 holiday party which I didn't attend. Christmas day will be at my sister's house and one of my tenants is providing (at no cost) tamales, enchiladas, chips and hot sauce for me to take. On top of that, I'm cat sitting so I didn't even drag the Christmas tree and decorations down from the attic. Most relaxing Christmas...ever!!!
Title: Re: Pledge to Simplify the Holidays! (Center for a New Amer Dream)
Post by: Retired To Win on December 24, 2014, 05:17:05 AM
Cookies!!

That's my wife's great solution to the holiday gifting madness.  She really gets satisfaction out of the baking, and she knows the cookies will be appreciated and not returned for exchange. :O