Hundred Dollar Holiday:
The Case for a More Joyous Celebration

By Laurine Brown, PhD, MPH

I'll never forget my niece's innocent reaction to pioneer Laura's Christmas in the Big Woods. "Gosh, all she got was a rag doll, mittens, and a candy stick. And she was really happy. That's like nothing. We get gobs of stuff."

Gobs of stuff. For the moment, let's forget about the pollution our stuff causes-- which is enormous. And forget that trying to have a "proper" holiday sends many families further into debt. Consider only the impact on us. Since we already have lots of stuff, getting more isn't as much fun. After a momentary material hight, we still ache for something else.

It wasn't until I had a child that the holiday heap achieved nauseating proportions for me. I reached for Bill McKibben's Hundred Dollar Holiday: The Case for a More Joyful Christmas to help me understand how we got from Laura's simple joy-filled holiday to our current obsession with present-buying. My own heart reonatd with its message-- that many of us really long for more companionship, music, contemplation, time outdoors, feasting, love.

Working with his local community, McKibben found that limiting the amount of money spent for the holidays (to about $100, more or less) helped people spur more joy, and creativity to boot. The idea, he said, is not necessarily to spend as little as possible, or even to do the least environmental damage, though these are important. Rather, it's to have fun-- pure and simple.

There's never been a "perfect" Christmas, McKibben tells us as he reviews the fascinating history of this previously rowdy holiday. So create your own, blending meaningful past traditions, while bucking the onslaught of commercialism that convinces us holiday joy is store-bought. Perhaps start gifting people with the Hundred Dollar Holiday book.

Don't get discouraged if others don't readily embrace your enthusiasms for change. My young nephew retorted that my idea of drawing names for cousin-gifting stunk. He could do the math-- less presents. But he loved joining gift-making sessions, and getting a coupon for an adventure trip. It was fun. Now that's the idea.

More Fun, Less Stuff

• Set a goal for holiday spending ($100? $200? Other?) instead of vacantly promising to curb excesses this time, or the next.
• Think about what people really want or need. Grandparents may love gifts of your company or a homemade cassette tape with family stories or singing. Children may like hand-me-down toys, books, dress-up clothes or jewelry, art supplies box stocked with recycled items, a handmade book with them as the main character.
• Re-gift something special of yours to someone you think would appreciate it. I always look forward to an annual winter solstice feast and swap with a group of friends.
• Look for treasures in thrift shops. You'll save money, you're recycling, plus it's downright fun. Last year I found a goldmine of silk ties or my executive brother for a dollar each, fun board games for the kids, and a vintage lapel pn for a collector friend.
• Consider gifts that nurture joyful time together: video coupons, concert tickets, gift certificates to restaurants, gifts of your time like creating a puppet show with the kids, cooking together. Download "Christmas Gift Exemption Vouchers" from the www.adbusters.org, which exempts recipients from buying you gifts in replacement for their quality time.
• Make simple gifts: food, natural lip balm, walking sticks, picture books, favorite recipe collection, family photo calendars, nature bookmarks, decorated framed photos, kid's art on potholders, oven mits or canvas bags. My six-year old is learning to sew with the cloth gift bags we're making this year. The joy in her eyes with her first accomplished seam was a priceless gift to me-- an added benefit of giftmaking with others.
• Check out inexpensive, creative and eco-friendly gift ideas from the Center for a New American Dream at www.newdream.org, 887.NU.DREAM. Download "Simplify the Holiday's Guide" and check out "More Fun, Less Stuff Starter Kit."
• Some families have a traditional gag gift-- often a dud gift whose annual passing is done through outrageous acts, bringing lots of laughs
• Donate-- in your loved one's name-- to organizations that help others. Alternative Gifts International can help you find local groups that provide housing for the homeless, meals for the hungry, and more (800.842.2243, www.altgifts.org)
• Minimize trash. Wrap with a pretty scarf, cloth napkin, dishrowel, children's art, Sunday comics, old maps, old calendars. Recycle paper after using. Make a festive cloth gift bags or use paper ones. Hide oversized gifts and plant a clue under the tree.
• Get a tree that can be planted or mulched afterward, go artificial, or have fun "making" your own using branches and other nature items (my favorite new tradition).
• Prepare meals with locally grown (if possible) organic foods. In addition to connection with the person who cares for the land that grows your food that nourishes your body, you'll protect the earth from polluting pesticides and fossil fuels burned for long-distance transport.

  Resource: Hundred Dollar Holiday: The Case for a More Joyful Christmas, Bill McKibben, 1998.

December 2001