Simple Living 101: 1. Motivational Speakers

Text version of this resource below. PDF (pamphlet) version here.

Let's Talk About Christmas!

Instead of going on auto-pilot the day after Thanksgiving...
Schedule a family meeting as early as possible in October or November.

Getting Started

Before your meeting, if possible, share this planner with friends and family. Do some homework, gather some ideas, but be willing to modify or even abandon them for the sake of the group.

Brainstorm during the meeting! No idea is too goofy. No ridicule allowed.

Then refine the ideas and try to reach a consensus. Vote on ideas only as a last resort. (Voting can sometimes become competitive, even divisive.) Afterwards, share the results tactfully with the others in your celebrating circle, even with those who did not make it to the meeting. Post the results in a prominent place in your household.

Use a format that works for your group:

the outline below: copy and paste into a word processing program on your computer

a grid like the original PDF on a large sheet of newsprint

one of your own devising

Resources

The following free online resources from Alternatives will be helpful before, during and after the family meeting:

Christmas Campaign Kit (contains over 20 resources like this planner)

Unplug the Christmas Machine Workshop Leader's Guide, Text and Audio.

Treasury of Celebrations: Create Celebrations That Reflect Your Values and Don't Cost the Earth, 288 pages.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas video.

Many resources on paper, in Alternatives' web site archives at SimpleLivingWorks.org » Archives or on the CD-ROM Simply the Best: Over 30 Years of Alternatives.

'Cost Analysis Form: How Much Do You Spend at Christmas?'
'Alternate Giving Guides'
Discussion Guides: 'Christmas Traditions That Work for You,' 'The Gift of Giving,' 'What About Santa?' and 'What Makes for a Perfect Christmas?'
'Appropriate Christmas Gifts Questionnaire' and 'Christmas Revival' (an excerpt from Unplug the Christmas Machine; both from 'Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?' #9)

Visit www.SimpleLivingWorks.org

Also available from your public library or your local independent bookstore:

Hundred Dollar Holiday: The Case for a More Joyful Christmas by Bill McKibben, 96 pages, $12.

Simplify & Celebrate: Embracing the Soul of Christmas, 208 pages, $16.

Unplug the Christmas Machine (the classic for simplifying Christmas), 207 pages, $13.

Let's Talk About Christmas! worksheet

Questions: Ask the following questions for activities that apply to you. Some of your activities may include more items and details than other activities, depending on the emphasis of your celebration. Make notes here or on a larger sheet.

1. WHAT: What are we going to do this activity to celebrate Advent and Christmas? Yes/no. What's its priority (1-10) if we decide to cut back?

2. WHY: Why do we do this activity? Personal beliefs? Needs? Tradition? Habit?

3. HOW: How are we going to do it? The same or differently than before?

4. WHERE: Where will we do this? At home? Another place? A public place?

5. WHEN: When will we start and finish the preparations and the activity?

6. WHO: Who will do the work? Can we divide up the tasks differently?

7. COST/BUDGET: How much will we spend? Is there flexibility? Are we willing to spend less on ourselves and give more to the truly needy?

8. SIMPLIFY: How can we simplify this to reduce stress and cost, to nurture relationships instead of stuff, to curb overconsumption? Set a goal to simplify at least three activities.

ACTIVITIES

A. Decorations

Inside:

Advent Wreath

Manger Scene

Tree, Greens

Outside:

Gift Wrap

Other

1. WHAT
2. WHY
3. HOW
4. WHERE
5. WHEN
6. WHO
7. COST/BUDGET
8. SIMPLIFY

B. Travel

Shopping

Trip

1. WHAT
2. WHY
3. HOW
4. WHERE
5. WHEN
6. WHO
7. COST/BUDGET
8. SIMPLIFY

C. Gifts

Children

Adults

Family

Friends

Relatives

1. WHAT
2. WHY
3. HOW
4. WHERE
5. WHEN
6. WHO
7. COST/BUDGET
8. SIMPLIFY

D. Alternative Gifts

Cash

Volunteer Time

Material

Other

Local Recipients

National/International

1. WHAT
2. WHY
3. HOW
4. WHERE
5. WHEN
6. WHO
7. COST/BUDGET
8. SIMPLIFY

E. Entertaining

Advent

Christmas

Epiphany

1. WHAT
2. WHY
3. HOW
4. WHERE
5. WHEN
6. WHO
7. COST/BUDGET
8. SIMPLIFY

F. Food

1. WHAT
2. WHY
3. HOW
4. WHERE
5. WHEN
6. WHO
7. COST/BUDGET
8. SIMPLIFY

G. Family Entertainment

1. WHAT
2. WHY
3. HOW
4. WHERE
5. WHEN
6. WHO
7. COST/BUDGET
8. SIMPLIFY

H. Cards

Relatives

Friends

Associates

Close by

Far Away

1. WHAT
2. WHY
3. HOW
4. WHERE
5. WHEN
6. WHO
7. COST/BUDGET
8. SIMPLIFY

I. Church Activities

Advent

Christmas Eve/Day

Sunday School

Choir

Other

1. WHAT
2. WHY
3. HOW
4. WHERE
5. WHEN
6. WHO
7. COST/BUDGET
8. SIMPLIFY

J. Home Devotions

Reflections

Services

1. WHAT
2. WHY
3. HOW
4. WHERE
5. WHEN
6. WHO
7. COST/BUDGET
8. SIMPLIFY

K. Music

1. WHAT
2. WHY
3. HOW
4. WHERE
5. WHEN
6. WHO
7. COST/BUDGET
8. SIMPLIFY

L. Clothes

1. WHAT
2. WHY
3. HOW
4. WHERE
5. WHEN
6. WHO
7. COST/BUDGET
8. SIMPLIFY

M. Other

Postage

1. WHAT
2. WHY
3. HOW
4. WHERE
5. WHEN
6. WHO
7. COST/BUDGET
8. SIMPLIFY

As with most resources produced by Alternatives, the original purchaser is authorized to reproduce (preferably on recycled paper), but not to sell, this worksheet. Please credit Alternatives on each copy as follows; send us a copy of reprints, quotes.

© 2016 Creative Commons (1996, 2003 Alternatives for Simple Living) Alternatives' mission is to 'equip people of faith to challenge consumerism, live justly and celebrate responsibly.' For resources (some in Spanish) for Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, weddings, and other celebrations, visit www.SimpleLivingWorks.org

Recycled Paper

page updated 01 Nov. 2016

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MISSION: Equipping people of faith to challenge consumerism, live justly and celebrate responsibly // An all volunteer educational organization.

Simple Living 101

Let's Talk About Christmas!

Let's Talk About Christmas! worksheet