Hundred Dollar Holiday: The Case For A More Joyful Christmas

by Bill McKibben

Too many people have come to dread the approach of the holidays, a season that should -- and can -- be the most relaxed, intimate, joyful, and spiritual time of the year. In this book, Bill McKibben offers some suggestions on how to rethink Christmastime, so that our current obsession with present-buying becomes less important than the dozens of other possible traditions and celebrations.
Working through their local churches, McKibben and his colleagues found that people were hungry for a more joyful Christmas season. For many, trying to limit the amount of money they spent at Christmas to about a hundred dollars per family, was a real spur to their creativity -- and a real anchor against the relentless onslaught of commercials and catalogs that try to say Christmas is only Christmas if it comes from a store.
McKibben shows how the store-bought Christmas developed and how out of tune it is with our current lives, when we're really eager for family fellowship for community involvement, for contact with the natural world, and also for the blessed silence and peace that the season should offer. McKibben shows us how to return to a simpler and more enjoyable holiday.
Christmas is too wonderful a celebration to give up on, too precious a time simply to repeat the same empty gestures from year to year. This book will serve as a road map to a Christmas far more joyful than the ones you've known in the past.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christmas, Holiday, Spirituality, Self Help, Adult, Frugal

96 pages, Paperback

First published December 2, 1998

About the author

Bill McKibben is the author of Eaarth, The End of Nature, Deep Economy, Enough, Fight Global Warming Now, The Bill McKibben Reader, and numerous other books. He is the founder of the environmental organizations Step It Up and 350.org, and was among the first to warn of the dangers of global warming. In 2010 The Boston Globe called him "probably the nation's leading environmentalist," and Time magazine has called him "the world's best green journalist." He studied at Harvard, and started his writing career as a staff writer at The New Yorker. The End of Nature, his first book, was published in 1989 and was regarded as the first book on climate change for a general audience. He is a frequent contributor to magazines and newspapers including The New York Times, The Atlantic Monthly, Harper's, Orion Magazine, Mother Jones, The New York Review of Books, Granta, Rolling Stone, and Outside. He has been awarded Guggenheim Fellowship and won the Lannan Prize for nonfiction writing in 2000. He is a scholar in residence at Middlebury College and lives in Vermont with his wife, the writer Sue Halpern, and their daughter.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/billmc...

Reviews

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should I file this under philosophy-religion? Well, maybe more philosophy (5 stars) and less religion (3). There's kind of a "homer" slant to Bill McKibben's assumption that churches and church folk are rank and file behind his move to simplify Christmas, but that's a mighty big assumption. The worst offenders, when it comes to wretched, tinsel-covered excess, come from both secular and holy camps, even if he himself is a Sabbath keeper railing against the corporate machine.

As for his message -- preaching to the choir here. In fact, I'm even a bigger curmudgeon than he is. He likes the tree. I endure putting it up and taking it down (for the "kids" who are really "adults," even if the "kid line" was moved to age 35 when no one was looking).

McKibben openly admits he's been called a Grinch, but then he quotes the Prophet himself (Dr. Seuss) to counter the claim. What happens when the green-furred fiend steals all of Whoville's "stuff"? Nothing. They come together and celebrate ANYway. My point is made, McKibben sniffs.

OK, yes. Agreed. Love it. And he's even calling a hundred bucks negotiable. He just likes the alliteration of it all. Bonus points for honesty (and a modicum of flexibility). The opening passage of this 92-page, one-hour read is a neat, abbreviated history of Christmas, how it transformed from rowdy, Halloween-like mayhem to domesticated, indoor materialism.

For starters, blame Clement. Blame Clark. Blame Moore and more. Thomas Nast didn't help, either. A right jolly old economy. One that has corporations rubbing their greedy mitts with glee. One that has children from a young age learning the empty pleasures of "I want, I want, I want." Lord. Where does it end?

McKibben has lots of recommendations, even a few web sites like this one:

http://www.newdream.org/programs/beyo...

He advocates time with family and friends, a more relaxed pace, gifts of time, service, travel, charity. Although he didn't say it, something more like Thanksgiving -- though you needn't put on the dog (er, turkey) and spend a bundle.

And while we're relaxing and enjoying the holidays, why not stretch it to its original length. Celebrate Advent slowly, lovingly. Celebrate the 12 days, even. Find 8 Maids a-Milking and dance a jig in the barn. And, one idea that tips its hat to the manger, leave the gift of bird seed on the backlawn Christmas morning. For the animals. Just this once. On the occasion of. And for a hundred bucks, with hundreds remaining in the bank and, more importantly, with sanity remaining in your house.

It's a quick, Readers Digest-like primer. If you loathe the upcoming gauntlet, this is a start. Getting family on board is the hard part....

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Bill McKibben. He is one of my favorite authors, and--so far as I can tell--a truly decent human being. In this short book, McKibben suggests that the way Americans celebrate Christmas is not, perhaps, the best way to do it. It's bad for our pocketbooks, bad for our planet, and bad for our spirits. I wholeheartedly agree!

I used to hate Christmas. Just. Hated. It. I don't mean I minded getting presents; who doesn't like that? I mean the whole shopping mall syrupy Christmas carol commercialized buy buy buy orgy of capitalism. No one ever seemed happy. Everyone seemed stressed and angry and put out by the whole thing, and it got to the point where I finally asked, "Why the fuck do we do this?"

Later in life, I began to go to church after a very long absence, and I learned about, and participated in, the religious aspects of the holiday, which made me like it a whole lot more. Christmas divorced from Christianity is like Thanksgiving divorced from gratitude: it just doesn't work. So, fortunately for me, I have found ways to enjoy the spiritual aspects of Advent and Christmas, which has helped me deal with the more obnoxious commercial parts that fill my heart with hatred. There is a deep and abiding beauty to Christmas that has nothing to do with buying gifts, wasting food, or robotically visiting with family members who are also feeling stressed and out of sorts.

A few years ago, my parish priest lent me a video called What Would Jesus Buy? (available on Youtube, well worth seeing) which spoofed consumer culture in a hilarious way and made me realize that, as a person of faith, there was much to actually oppose in our culture's way of 'celebrating' Christmas. Christmas is actually harmful to people, especially the poor, who go into debt, compete for limited affordable resources, and otherwise have a hard time. Likewise, the environmental cost is staggering: how much trash is produced by Christmas? How much food is wasted? How much electricity gets used putting up giant blow-up figures of Rudolph or lit up sleighs on someone's front yard? It's ridiculous.

Another group, the Advent Conspiracy, made me think about giving instead of receiving, but by giving, they meant 'to the poor' not 'to my brother or friends.' Instead of spending money on shit that no one wants or needs, why not take that money and save someone's life by helping to build a well, or paying for medicine, or getting food to the hungry? As far as gifts to those you know and love...give your time. Give your presence, not a present. It was a beautiful idea.

McKibben's book suggest similar things. Spend less than $100. Make a nice dinner. Make presents. Do things together. Enjoy traditions. Don't just buy crap and give it away because that's what we've all been trained to do.

And, as I type this, let me say that it is children who deserve to have a nice day with fun and toys and things they like. Adults, though? You don't have to give me anything, my friends. If you really want to give me a present, make a donation to charity in my name. I can buy my own books, sweaters, and coffee cups.

I don't write this to sound like the Grinch, I really don't. I honestly appreciate the thought behind the gifts that so many generous people have given to me over the years. It is nice to be considered, and to have someone think to themselves, "Michael would like this." All I'm saying is, it's not necessary. What Christmas means, at least to me, is being together with the ones we love. It means taking a few minutes to recognize how lucky we are, and to share our fortune with the many, many people in this world who are struggling to meet their basic needs. And: it means that we remember that Jesus was born to poor people, in a poor part of the world. The angels announced the news of his birth the the humble shepherds, who found him laying in a rude manger.

Christmas, perhaps, needs to be tempered by a bit of humility, I think. Let's remember what we are celebrating.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick and effective read. The author explored the history of commercial Christmas and urged celebrants to prioritize gifting *time* - as in shared experiences, or the creation of meaningful low cost and homemade gifts - with loved ones, rather than focusing on material items and engaging in excess spending. I thought the author’s rationale for the Hundred Dollar Christmas was well supported by his presentation of the history and creation of present-day Christmas, which was outlined in the first chapter.

Heading into the week of Christmas, the Hundred Dollar Christmas perspective reminded me of hygge philosophy, which does interest me - staying present and mindful with loved ones vs worrying about to-do lists, gifts, and “what’s next” after the often anticlimatic lead up to the 25th. Framed in this way, the Hundred Dollar Christmas approach does seem like a no-brainer…..the real challenge, I’m sure, is overcoming familial objections and traditions!!

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short read about the history of how we celebrate the holidays, and how our celebrations need to change with the times. Since we generally live in abundance these days, we don’t feel much joy from holiday excess. We should instead concentrate on what really matters to us. The book is not about following strict budgets and how that would fix everything, which I was afraid it would be. :)

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! The biblical & commercial roots of Christmas are reviewed. The reader is encouraged to make the Christmas holiday about time w/family & friends and NOT the mass-commercialization of Christmas that retailers want us to think it is.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big Bill McKibben fan, and though there is nothing objectionable in this book, it really isn't his best work. This is a very short book; you might even call it "slight." I guess that's in the spirit of the message, which is the perpetual (and perpetually ignored) reminder that often less is more.

McKibben is a liberal Christian, a position that I sometimes associate myself with. The church is a core community institution for him. He reasonably asks, why does Christmas often make us feel so tired and stressed, instead of nurturing our connections and being a time of togetherness? He finds the answer in the history of turning Christmas into economic activity and the ever-increasing pressure to top last year's presents.

His alternative is the $100 Christmas. It's a number he arrives at because, essentially, it sounds good, but it's not meant to be taken literally. He advises us to drastically reduce what we're buying and instead establish traditions that have us spending time together, baking or caroling or making decorations for the tree.

I liked this book fine because McKibben's voice resonates so strongly with me, but it is fairly far afield from his typical writing that revolves around environmental issues. It may be hard to connect to it if you don't think of yourself as a Christian.

It's hard to dispute his thesis that something has gone wrong in the way we celebrate what ought to be a holy occasion, and that we need to celebrate a Christmas that fills our cup up instead of emptying it out.

[Kathleen Garber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up at a used book store a few years back but didn’t get around to reading it till now. It’s from 1998 although I believe there is a slightly newer version out too.

The book is a little outdated but the message rings true. The author tells how Christmas started and how it evolved into what it is now (or at least in 1998.) He explains how Jesus was not born December 25 but how the his birth was celebrated during that time to encourage the Pagans to follow Jesus as they celebrated Yule around this time.

He goes quickly through time (because it’s a short book.) His focus is on spending a $100 for the holidays although he says you can come up with your own amount if that doesn’t work. The point though is to make homemade gifts and use the money you do spend wisely. Christmas should be about Jesus if your Christian. Even if you’re not, it should be about family, peace, love and joy, not items.

[John Dobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not give many books 5 stars. Most books when they are really good are only four stars. Occasionally a book stands out for one reason or another, and this one does. I think it deserves the fifth star because it is so needed. It doesn’t take long to read, and it is so full of common sense and wisdom about observing the holidays that I wish every family would not only read it, but practice it. Hundred Dollar Holiday explains in great detail how we got here, and prescribes a path through the Christmas season that emphasizes family and deemphasizes commercialism. I cannot confess to having practiced $100 holiday, but I would like to. Perhaps next year. In the meantime, sometime in the coming months before Christmas of the next year take a little time to read this small book with a big message.

[Barbara Mahoney · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting review of the origin of many of our Christmas customs. The author discusses the commercialization of Christmas and how to return to create a more peaceful and meaningful Christmas.

Bill McKibben challenges the reader to consider spending only one hundred dollars on Christmas.
The author suggests less store bought presents and more thoughtful gifts - i.e. homemade gifts and/or gifts of time ex. taking a child to a museum or outing - creating a memory that will last longer than a store bought gift. It you are reading this and think that you could never cap your spending to only $100, the author says that it is fine if you cannot meet this specific goal - but good to just move in the direction of spending less on store bought items and giving more of your time and thoughtfulness to others.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the concept of not focusing so much on materialism and focusing more on the reason why we celebrate Christmas: Jesus' birth. I liked the first chapter the most because it explained a lot of traditions found during Christmas time and where they came from. The third chapter was kind of nice to hear what the author does to simplify Christmas time. As a wife mother, i didn't feel like I related as much to this male author from his perspective. Also, some of the traditions mentioned were from a Methodist background and I wasn't as familiar with their traditions so some of it didn't seem to apply to me. I might recommend this book to those who want to simplify Christmas and not get so stressed out.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fastest little read of my adult life.

Written in 1998, it could use some updating. Yet 1998 was also one of my hardest years fiscally, and that Christmas required time and creative thinking. My solutions from that year - sewing a lap blanket out of fabric scraps, making ornaments from found objects, making and using a potato stamp to change regular brown paper grocery bags into festive wrapping paper - fit right in with the premise of this book. (That particular coincidence was validating.) Gifts of time, of community building, of sharing, create the greater joys.

There are heavy Christian influences peppered throughout the book, though not in patronizing or proselytizing fashion. And the history of Christmas, including old world faiths such as Yule, is also included.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third time I have read this book. About every five years I drag it down off the shelf to help me get Christmas right in my head once again.

This book is beautifully written, simple, life affirming and full of small simple steps to counteract the barrage of consumerism and gaudy excess that has become the American Christmas. Reading it rekindles my hope for a more real and meaningful holiday and lets me know I am not alone in turning my back on what the mall, radio, television and the internet are telling me this holiday is about.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most fascinating portion of this book is the first half, which relates the history of Christmas celebrations in the most detail I've ever read, and gets us to where we are now.

There weren't a lot of detailed ideas about toning down the amount of money we spend at Christmas, but in general is an encouragement to focus on the simpler, more important, parts of the holiday, and concentrate on doing simple things for others, as well as spending time with family without spending a lot of money.

[Alicia · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was just not my cup of tea. Expecting a short read about what we can do to simplify and relish Christmas, instead I was presented with a tale that relived Christmas history as a dark and grisly holiday from the start through today’s traditions, and not without its political shortcomings. The negativity and politics was written across every page. I think that’s was shocked me the most.

I’m sure there are a lot of fans of Bill McKibben’s writings, but I’m not among them. I couldn’t get past the first half of this book before abandoning it.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐. I discovered this after reading Christmas: A Candid History by Bruce David Forbes. The book explores how to make the holiday season less consumer-driven and more personal and meaningful. Although the author writes from a Methodist perspective, the principles apply to those who celebrate secularly as well. McKibben's idea that time is more valuable than money resonates with me more each year. In 2025, I hope to shift away from a gift-heavy Christmas, starting with my wife—only sweet, homemade gifts (like I did an elementary school, except my fine motor skills are better)!

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This!

For a while now, I've been saying that I hate Christmas. And this little book sums up everything for me. It's not Christmas that I hate; it's the fuss and push to buy more that I can't deal with. Bill McKibben's simple, no-nonsense book shows that holidays don't need to be commercial to be joyful. The gift of ourselves, our time, can have more value than the latest toy or game.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the right book for the right moment for me as we pass Thanksgiving and start into the Christmas season. A perfect segway into Advent. Bill McKibben is a wonderful author. I was not aware that he was so spiritually inclined, especially his Christian perspective. I appreciate his thoughtful approach to this holiday. It is a quick read and very captivating.

[B Shelton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short (3 chapters) book about how to have a relaxed, peaceful and joyful Christmas. The book explains how Christmas pasts were celebrated and how we arrived at our current crazy Christmas.
I definitely finished the book determined to change my traditions to add more creativity and contemplation in future holiday celebrations.

[Sarah Boonstra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great concept and the history behind the holiday was fascinating. I felt like McKibben gave up after the second chapter and just threw the last chapter together. This topic deserved more detail, ideas and depth.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s hard to believe this tiny book was written 20 years ago. I wonder what the author would say about our commercial celebrations now? Its a good reminder to celebrate what the season is all about. The bulk of the book tells of the commercial history of Christmas, some of which was unfamiliar.

[Molly Cluff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice, fast read (under 100 pages), with a good overview of the history of celebrating Christmas and why simplifying might be nice. I was hoping for many more tangible examples of ways to celebrate simply, but this seems to be more about the "why" than the "how"

[Christopher Herbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the idea behind this little volume, but was hoping for more. Why is Christmas often so depressing? He doesn’t really answer this for me, but then I haven’t tried to limit my spending and make memories as he suggests. Yet.

[Jeff Calvert · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent summary of history of our modern holiday, how/why it became what it is (both the good and the bad of it), and a quite reasonable path toward salvaging the good. Well worth the read, and even better if you can manage to put the ideas into practice.

[Sandy]

I can't even give this book 1 star. If you want a more joyful Christmas focus on the Savior. That's it. He didn't even say it once. He did mention Him but that was it. It was more about saving the planet.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick , easy read. It was ok. I appreciate the sentiment to try and bring meaning back to Christmas. It is a good reminder.Give of your time, not things.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good thoughts on how to keep Christmas meaningful and joyful.

[Carolyn Manlove · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easy read. The book doesn't reveal anything too remarkable about spending less at Christmas. What it does do is emphasize why it is good to do.

[Kari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Heavy on the why, light on the how, a short treatise on returning to the joy of the season over the commercialism.

[Tina Rieman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ideas to make the holidays (and gift-giving in general) more meaningful.

[Gayle Vegter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short - read it in one sitting. Great ideas! Good background of the history of Christmas in America. Want to re-read it again next November!