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Simplify Your Christmas: 100 Ways to Reduce the Stress and Recapture the Joy of the Holidays
The best-selling author of Simplify Your Life presents a series of easy-to-read, concise essays that explores various ways of simplifying the Christmas holidays, explaining how to reduce stress and commercialism to enjoy a happier and healthier holiday.
- GenresChristmasNonfiction
269 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
December 15, 2017
Useful advice, but only for the 1%
Given that my Facebook feed is currently awash in fundraisers for families in need, it's a little difficult for me to urge "simplification" as a lifestyle. Being able to simplify is a privilege, so let's just get that out of the way right up front.
Now, if you happen to be one of the comfortably settled who just cannot even with Christmas excess anymore, this might be the book for you. Gift-sized, and with short chapters to match, St. James presents suggestions for making Christmas a less stressful time of year. Having been raised by two Depression babies, much of this was common sense for me, but it might be news to anyone who never had to eat gubmint cheese, wear hand-me-downs, or put anything on layaway at Hills in the Lincoln Knolls plaza.
If I sound bitter, it's because one little piece of advice here really stuck in my craw: St. James suggests NOT tipping your service providers as a money-saving gesture. There are about seven thousand things wrong with this, beginning with the doorman. If you can afford to live somewhere that has a fucking doorman, you can afford to fucking tip them. Also, why should your newspaper carrier or mail delivery person suffer? Those professions earn far less than what you make, and it's the heighth of Scroogery to say, "Oh, sorry Bob, we're cutting back this year. No tip." You'd better be in some dire fucking circumstances to reach that level of budget cuts. In fact, you'd probably CANCEL the newspaper long before it got to the point of stiffing the carrier.
To be fair, there's some really good advice in here about not feeling like you have to do everything, delegating, and stopping traditions that no longer bring you joy. But the financial perspective here kind of overshadows everything, so don't make this purchase unless your community is flush with cash and has to worry about things like how to bow out of a lavish yearly gift exchange without upsetting your family. Not recommended.
Given that my Facebook feed is currently awash in fundraisers for families in need, it's a little difficult for me to urge "simplification" as a lifestyle. Being able to simplify is a privilege, so let's just get that out of the way right up front.
Now, if you happen to be one of the comfortably settled who just cannot even with Christmas excess anymore, this might be the book for you. Gift-sized, and with short chapters to match, St. James presents suggestions for making Christmas a less stressful time of year. Having been raised by two Depression babies, much of this was common sense for me, but it might be news to anyone who never had to eat gubmint cheese, wear hand-me-downs, or put anything on layaway at Hills in the Lincoln Knolls plaza.
If I sound bitter, it's because one little piece of advice here really stuck in my craw: St. James suggests NOT tipping your service providers as a money-saving gesture. There are about seven thousand things wrong with this, beginning with the doorman. If you can afford to live somewhere that has a fucking doorman, you can afford to fucking tip them. Also, why should your newspaper carrier or mail delivery person suffer? Those professions earn far less than what you make, and it's the heighth of Scroogery to say, "Oh, sorry Bob, we're cutting back this year. No tip." You'd better be in some dire fucking circumstances to reach that level of budget cuts. In fact, you'd probably CANCEL the newspaper long before it got to the point of stiffing the carrier.
To be fair, there's some really good advice in here about not feeling like you have to do everything, delegating, and stopping traditions that no longer bring you joy. But the financial perspective here kind of overshadows everything, so don't make this purchase unless your community is flush with cash and has to worry about things like how to bow out of a lavish yearly gift exchange without upsetting your family. Not recommended.
December 10, 2008
I am certain it is difficult to walk the tightrope between simplifying America's favorite holiday and coming off as completely Scrooge-ish. Unfortunately, St. James definitely falls on the Dickensian side of this line. While the advice is sound (cut back on presents, don't say no when you want to say yes, figure out what you enjoy most), the majority of the book is written in a condescending tone that left this reader wondering when exactly St. James got bitten by the Grinch bug.
I think part of the problem is that the book is written almost entirely with a secular philosophy. Missing is any sense of the true meaning of Christmas -- the Savior's birth. Instead, we're treated to St. James' decidedly PC philosophical musings. That would be fine in a book that doesn't deal with a religiously themed holiday, but in this case, it just seems sad.
While I'm making a list of my favorite and least favorite traditions (hints #1 and #2), I think I'll forgo most of the other 98 suggestions and instead try to bring the focus back to Jesus. Everything else will fall in place from there.
I think part of the problem is that the book is written almost entirely with a secular philosophy. Missing is any sense of the true meaning of Christmas -- the Savior's birth. Instead, we're treated to St. James' decidedly PC philosophical musings. That would be fine in a book that doesn't deal with a religiously themed holiday, but in this case, it just seems sad.
While I'm making a list of my favorite and least favorite traditions (hints #1 and #2), I think I'll forgo most of the other 98 suggestions and instead try to bring the focus back to Jesus. Everything else will fall in place from there.
December 31, 2017
A short book about simplifying Christmas. Some useful tips, though some of it was a bit Scroogish.
December 24, 2017
This was an interesting read. It gave me much to think about and challenged me to go beyond just doing Christmas to the reason and motive behind our own traditions. One of the takeaways I will remember from this book is, "Simplifying the holidays is not the same thing as organizing them. When you organize, you're just reshuffling the same heavy load. When you simplify, you actually eliminate a large chunk of it. Simplifying is not about learning how to do more in less time. It's about doing less so you'll enjoy it more. And it's about doing less so you'll have more time. That's what we all want. " p.10
December 26, 2018
More of a 3.5. I think some suggestions are a bit extreme like don't put up a Christmas tree but for the most part simplifying Christmas is less stress. We have a simple Christmas and do a lot of the things in this book already so it was nice to see we aren't crazy. Like we don't buy for out of town family and we have a small budget for the kids. Also our kids aren't overwhelmed with presents and commercialism.
October 11, 2023
This book is interesting since many of the items mentioned in this book are ways to avoid doing things for the holidays. Some of these items could help reduce some of the stress on the holidays. This book wants to go back to the good old days but, those days are long gone. There are many stops, cuts and quits in the book. If you are looking to cut out some of what you do during the holidays and need a few ideas this book would help.
November 26, 2016
This was a quick reread for me. I like to remind myself each season that I don't have to "do it all" and this book is perfect for that.
February 12, 2019
This book gives you many ideas about reducing stress and making your Christmas more simple. It is right on spot with the ideas but harder to put them in motion.
November 12, 2019
Good advice but somewhat outdated now.
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August 10, 20201999 - HB - snowglobe cover - want to read
October 17, 2023
This is a re-read - after several years! So much of the book does not translate well to 2023 and parts still reflect, at least to me, harsh or thoughtless options.
May 5, 2025
Her ideas never get old for me . Always a read again .
January 6, 2019
Some good ideas but I wouldn't recommend it.
December 16, 2012
OK, this book isn't terrible in itself -- but it's better meant for a different kind of person than I am, the kind of person who feels obligated to do things she (and, let's face it, that kind of person is oftentimes a she) doesn't really want to do but does them anyway and then feels lousy and resentful about it.
If you read this book in one sitting, you definitely don't feel as though the author, Elaine St. James, has any interest whatsoever in recapturing the joy of the holidays. She just doesn't want to do anything that has to do with the cultural trappings of Christmas. Or, probably more accurately, she wants to give people permission to *not* do things they don't want to do.
Part of the problem with everyone getting all upset about the cultural trappings of Christmas has to do, however, with the whole concept of "Christmas as a deadline," which is more common in American culture, with its Puritan origins. If you look at Christmas as a longer feast, you don't have to worry so much about having everything "perfect" for that one day.
Where the book falters is in her explanations of why not to do things. That's when she starts sounding like a Scrooge, when she tries to give people reasons to justify not doing things. A great example is her pages on 12 Reasons Not to Have a Christmas Tree. Half of the reason involve the fact that putting up a Christmas tree takes work and time. The final reason ("You Don't Want to Do It") is the only one really necessary.
There are more thoughtful, philosophical books (Unplug the Christmas Machine, for one) that say the same kind of thing (without the bullet points) and they come across as so much more joyful and life-affirming, even if they take a bit longer to read.
If you read this book in one sitting, you definitely don't feel as though the author, Elaine St. James, has any interest whatsoever in recapturing the joy of the holidays. She just doesn't want to do anything that has to do with the cultural trappings of Christmas. Or, probably more accurately, she wants to give people permission to *not* do things they don't want to do.
Part of the problem with everyone getting all upset about the cultural trappings of Christmas has to do, however, with the whole concept of "Christmas as a deadline," which is more common in American culture, with its Puritan origins. If you look at Christmas as a longer feast, you don't have to worry so much about having everything "perfect" for that one day.
Where the book falters is in her explanations of why not to do things. That's when she starts sounding like a Scrooge, when she tries to give people reasons to justify not doing things. A great example is her pages on 12 Reasons Not to Have a Christmas Tree. Half of the reason involve the fact that putting up a Christmas tree takes work and time. The final reason ("You Don't Want to Do It") is the only one really necessary.
There are more thoughtful, philosophical books (Unplug the Christmas Machine, for one) that say the same kind of thing (without the bullet points) and they come across as so much more joyful and life-affirming, even if they take a bit longer to read.
December 24, 2008
This book is written for anyone who has ever felt stressed, overwhelmed, overspent or even unsatisfied during the holidays. It is written in short chapters or essays each one suggesting one way that you could simplify your celebration. I thought this book had a lot of good ideas. I would recommend reading it just an idea or two at a time. I read it all at once and was kind of overwhelmed... thinking... wow this lady really wants to do away with Christmas. But if you read it just to get an idea here and there... it can really help you get a grasp on what is really meaningful during the Christmas season... and what you just do because our culture.... or traditions demand it. I for one, have made a note of several ways that I would like to simplify Christmas next year and at the same time make it more meaningful and more enjoyable. The book is written from a secular perspective and not a religious one. I wouldn't use it to guide my entire celebration, but like I said... it does have some good ideas.
December 31, 2010
This book needs a new title. I was thinking/hoping it would give suggestions & ideas on how to "simplify" things in order to have more time to enjoy the holiday season (e.g. buy pre-made cookie dough instead of making from scratch, etc.) Instead this book is giving ideas on how not to celebrate the season at all! No tree??? Come on!
I can understand how others might like this if you're sick of the commercialization of the season, or are elderly and too tired, etc. but I still have young ones at home and I want to make fun memories for them w/out showering them with gifts (some presents are their fave foods that I often say no to throughout the year).
It does have some good examples that helped me convince my hubby not to spend time with his extended family (the s-i-l is a you-know-what and it's not fun to be around her), so that came in handy! But a lot of the book is too "scrooge-ish" for me.
I can understand how others might like this if you're sick of the commercialization of the season, or are elderly and too tired, etc. but I still have young ones at home and I want to make fun memories for them w/out showering them with gifts (some presents are their fave foods that I often say no to throughout the year).
It does have some good examples that helped me convince my hubby not to spend time with his extended family (the s-i-l is a you-know-what and it's not fun to be around her), so that came in handy! But a lot of the book is too "scrooge-ish" for me.
August 1, 2015
Ah Bahumbug! Seriously what a downer of a book. So glad I picked it up in July! I love Christmas, I love putting out all my nativities, I love sending Christmas cards, I love the treats, I love visiting with elderly neighbors, I love the songs, I love the Christmas movies, I love all of the traditions. So anyway free book for anyone that is interested.
I did give it two stars because chapter 71 was pretty cute: Create 12 days of truly meaningful gifts. I liked this chapter and it made me think of some new ideas to make my Christmas more meaningful. Although, it definitely won't make it more simple. That is when I realized I lam not the kind of girl that wants to simplify Christmas.
I did give it two stars because chapter 71 was pretty cute: Create 12 days of truly meaningful gifts. I liked this chapter and it made me think of some new ideas to make my Christmas more meaningful. Although, it definitely won't make it more simple. That is when I realized I lam not the kind of girl that wants to simplify Christmas.
March 1, 2017
I hated this book. It made me really anxious. I have scaled back on Christmas though. My family gets together and we each make two treats and then exchange them. We all come home with lots of delicious goodys without lots of work. We got a tree that matches the decor of my home that is already decorated. We don't have to mess with lights. I decorate using about five things. Stockings, a tree that is decorated, a creche, a handmade ornament that matches my curtains and that is it. I only send a card to my husband's grandfather who is in maine, and I e-mail wishes to everyone that I won't be seeing.
November 25, 2010
This book contains some great suggestions for simplifing the holidays. I love the section on Christmas and kids. Children just don't need to be given loads of gifts of all of the lastest and greatest each year. This is a great time to teach them about the spirit of giving and being charitable. I did find the overall tone a little too extreme for me. I love Christmas and the spirit of the season. I am all about eliminating some of the stress but not to the point of not celebrating or refusing to attend get togethers.
August 17, 2015
It did suggest a lot of ways to cut out commercialism and stress from the holidays, however I rated it low because the auther did not address (except for passing mention) the spiritual aspect of christmas. She talked about getting more quality family time, nature loving and the equinox, but did not suggest that we get back to the real meaning of Christmas, which is Christ. I assume she didn't want to offend, or does not personally believe in that. The book was not really useful to me.
December 11, 2008
I first read this book in the 90's when my life was at it's busiest (working mom of a young child).
I re-read it every few years to cut down on a few more of the things I just think I MUST do in order for it to be a real Christmas.
Perfect book for most of us who are too busy and try to do too much.
Let Christmas be fun, relaxing, and enjoyable!
I re-read it every few years to cut down on a few more of the things I just think I MUST do in order for it to be a real Christmas.
Perfect book for most of us who are too busy and try to do too much.
Let Christmas be fun, relaxing, and enjoyable!
December 20, 2011
While most of the strategies here are fairly obvious, they bear repeating, especially since in the midst of stress it's too easy to think, "Yes, yes, I know all that" without actually doing any of 'that'. The book also presents ideas I at least hadn't thought of before and that I appreciated; next year I may even get smart and pull this out *before* the holidays.
August 2, 2008
In short little chapters, St. James provides ideas for ways to cut back on the Christmas frenzy so that we can enjoy the joy of the season. Some of the ideas are a little radical, but the premise behind the book is eye opening. Will effect my celebration this year for the positive.
August 5, 2008
Like her other books, which I love, she has 1-2 page sections (not big enough to be chapters) with all kinds of advice and ideas for simplifying Christmas. Loved it; even taught a mini-class on it once.
November 19, 2010
Unsure what to rate. Really strongly disliked some of her views. Though, really liked some of her ideas in the section on holiday cards & some of the ideas related to larger family gift exchanges. Don't think I'd recommend to read, yet several of the ideas I've shared with other people. Very torn.
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January 5, 2011So far I like, even though it was written in the 90's, so some things are outdated, like the part about instead of cards, e-mail your Christmas wishes. Now you can facebook everyone your Christmas wishes. However, I will always prefer cards!
November 22, 2011
I can't say exactly why but this book seemed a little scroogish. I didn't really like most of the suggestions. A better book about simplifying Christmas is A Simple Christmas by Sharon Hanby-Roby (Guideposts books.)
March 23, 2016
Ugh. Some of the ideas in here are reasonable but some of the others would have me feeling like a Christmas Nazi...not gonna happen. Glad your holiday is stress free.
Thank you Scrooge but I'll be keeping Christmas in my own fashion.
Thank you Scrooge but I'll be keeping Christmas in my own fashion.
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April 17, 2008394.2
December 3, 2008
I liked that it had short chapters... and ideas that weren't just shuffling work load to somewhere else... meaning ideas... but not the best book ever.... good one nonetheless... read it in a day.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews