Finding Peace and Joy in the Midst of Commercialism Run-Amok

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Does just the thought of Christmas and other holiday celebrations send you running for cover, looking for a safe hiding place for your credit cards? If so, you're not alone. Many Americans, and others throughout the world, find themselves caught up in a holiday spending spree of monumental proportions. Most people would rather not participate in the excessive acquisition of more stuff, but they honestly don't know how to find a better way to observe our hallowed traditonal holidays. What were originally celebrations of life, spiritual beliefs and simple pleasures, have now become celebrations and worship of the modern god of Consumerism and Frantic Living. There has to be a better way! I've put together a collection of links, articles and general ideas for re-thinking your personal winter holiday madness. Take some time to examine your own expectations and true desires for the upcoming holidays. The sooner you start thinking along these lines, the easier it will be to make changes in your spending patterns, celebration plans and time commitments. THE CHRISTMAS PLEDGE Believing in the beauty and simplicity of Christmas, I commit myself to the following: 1. To remember those people who truly need my gifts. 2. To express my love for family and friends in more direct ways than presents. 3. To rededicate myself to the spiritual growth of my family. 4. To examine my holiday activities in light of the true spirit of Christmas. 5. To initiate one act of peacemaking within my circle of family and friends. -from Unplug the Christmas Machine , by Jo Robinson and Jean Coppock Staeheli THANKSGIVING-RELATED LINKS Thanksgiving History The First Thanksgiving Thanksgiving History & Symbols Bitter Winter, Better Thanksgiving (a story) An American Thanksgiving Teaching Thanks 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation Home for the Holidays ~Thanksgiving Thanksgiving on the Net Thanksgiving Crafts Thanksgiving Links Holiday Food Safety New England Style Recipes Thanksgiving: Different--and delicious! Vegetarian Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Food Low-Fat Thanksgiving Menu and Recipes CHRISTMAS-RELATED LINKS Christmas Bills?! Do the phrases "simple living" and "Holiday giving" seem to be at opposite ends of the spending spectrum? An article I wrote for The Dollar Stretcher newsletter. Holiday Gift Ideas Simple homemade holiday gift ideas our 4-H Club made last year. Unplug The Christmas Tree (4 article series) From Consumer Credit Counseling Service---worthwhile reading. ADVENT -- A Religious Christmas Make the Christmas season last longer and focus on the spiritual aspect of the holiday. The Biblical Christmas Accounts Links to the Biblical passages relating to the birth of Christ. Christmas In CyberSpace: A Christian Perspective For Christians trying to put the "holy day" back into their Christmas holiday celebrations. A Search for the Meaning of Christmas--Religious Traditions Links for religious Christmas sites and on-line Advent calendars. The Christmas Book For many people, Christmas triggers stress. A Christmas Book will help organize the holidays and can help save you money. Christmas Meaning with less Money Inexpensive Christmas Gifts Gifts in a Jar Inexpensive Holiday Decorating Frugal Money-saving Christmas ideas Holiday Tightwad Tips Frugal Christmas Decorations Jesse Tree Advent Page 'Twas the Night Before Christmas Festive Songs of the Season Christmas Traditions The Mother of All Christmas Dinner Menus Christmas Recipes Holiday Celebrations Luke 2:1-7 The Gift of the Magi Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus A Christmas Story RECOMMENDED HOLIDAY-RELATED BOOKS Unplug the Christmas Machine by Jo Robinson Don't wait until Christmas to read this book! The earlier you start thinking about the holidays, the easier it will be to make any necessary changes in your celebrations. Debt Proof Your Holidays by Mary Hunt Whether you're just looking for further frugal ideas for the upcoming holiday season, or you're truly dreading another after-holidays debt hang-over, this book will be beneficial. Frozen Assets: How to Cook for a Day and Eat for a Month by Deborah Taylor-Hough Less time in the kitchen means more time for activities you really enjoy. This book will show you a step-by-step plan to simplify and revolutionize the way you cook. Save time; save money; save your sanity! Contains a special 10 Day Holiday Meal Plan---perfect for simplifying your holiday meal preparation. Simplify Your Christmas... by Elaine St James Simple ideas for taking the complexity out of the holidays. Hundred Dollar Holiday by Bill McKibben What we need and long for now are the gifts of time, meaningful family connections, periods of silence, a relationship with the divine, McKibben writes. "Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?" (booklet to order) This is a special Christmas booklet published by Alternatives for Simple Living. OTHER SEASONAL HOLIDAY LINKS Chanukah - The Story Chanukah - The Menorah Chanukah - The Dreidle Jewish Holiday Recipes What's Hanukkah? Hanukkah Links Computerized Dreidel Game Chanukah On the Net Chanukah CNN - Kwanzaa Page KWANZAA.COM About Kwanzaa Kwanzaa Recipes May your holidays be holy days; filled with joy, peace and simplicity of purpose this year and always. . . . Blessings to You and Yours, ~ Debi

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