Green Living

Here are some resources that caught our eye to help embrace the spirit and slowness of the season to make it more sustainable and sustaining.

Slow Christmas is one woman’s mission to get the most ubiquitous winter holiday off the fast track. How? By rekindling and savoring the best this time of year has to offer (think baking and homemade paper chains). And by giving gifts that are handmade, charitable or experiential instead of stressed out and store bought.

I’ve got an article over at Shareable.net on how to focus on communal good times instead of on stuff. Read on for five ways to “Make Your Holiday A Shared Affair .”

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If you haven’t seen What Would Jesus Buy? you’re in for a treat as Reverend Billy and his gospel choir combat the Shopocalypse. It’s a hilarious and horrifying look at how spendy and askew the holidays have become—could be the perfect ironic stocking stuffer or a conversation starter for a mellow, hot cocoa-laden gathering.

Or you could always make the annual film viewing a little greener. I recommend slowing down with Nature’s Most Amazing Events, or Planet Earth, its uber popular, powerful cousin . Or there are less overtly green movies that still connect with life on planet earth like Into the Wild and Wall E.

As for your end of year contemplation, may I recommend three books. Slow is Beautiful by simplicity guru Cecile Andrews is all about why we need to and how we can create community, slow community that transforms the way we live and is consequently good for us and the planet. For something more personal, Sarah Susanka’s The Not So Big Life will start a journey toward a smaller, fuller life that goes with the flow. There’s a wonderful ritual at the close of the book to be used as a reflection over last five days of the year. Finally, if you find yourself without work or otherwise in transition, Gail Blanke’s Between Trapezes may help you step into the great wide open in front of you, slowly, but sure.

Wishing all our readers a slow, savory holiday.

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YDT GIVEAWAY: Enter to win one copy of the What Would Jesus Buy DVD by commenting below with one way you’re slowing down your holiday this year.

Tags: : green Christmas, alternative holiday, nature films, shared holiday, slow Christmas, slow holiday, slow is beautiful, what would jesus buy