Winter Holidays: November 2007 Archives

With environmental consciousness rising nationwide, it's not surprising that one bone of contention this holiday season is how December has become a hotbed of consumerism and consumption. Green-minded bloggers and organizations are stepping up in hopes of convincing people that a meaningful holiday can't be bought, and shouldn't harm the planet.

Hardly anyone is suggesting that gift-giving and celebrating be eschewed altogether, but green, earthy ideas abound. The blog Sew, Mama, Sew is featuring a number of ideas for handmade holiday gifts, at least 2,000 people participated in "Buy Nothing Day" on the day after Thanksgiving, the VictoriaE blog offers "eco links" for environmentally-friendly gift options, and the blog Care2 offers ideas for handmade wrapping paper, as does DIY Network.

So we all know that the holidays are not all boycotts and arguments - in fact, the great majority of us find ways to live with our neighbors of all faiths in meaningful and even spiritual ways. As a companion to this blog, we've started a group in the Beliefnet community to give you a space to share your stories of cooperation, kindness, and interfaith good will.

Has a group of interfaith clergy come together this holiday season to work on a social justice project? Has a Jewish child made a special presentation about Hanukkah to his or her class? Log in and join the group by clicking here, and share your stories, post photos, and warm your heart.

Well, it's official. Though the holiday season seems to have begun the day after Halloween, the December Dilemma's time is just starting, hitting its peak as it always does, in that hectic period between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

What is the December Dilemma, you might ask? It's the conundrum that retail stores, public parks, public schools, and political leaders--not to mention families--face each year when considering how to handle the confluence of the winter holidays, principally Hanukkah and Christmas. If we have one religious symbol up in the town square, do we have to have symbols representing all faiths? If we avoid all religious symbols this winter, will people of faith feel discriminated against? If we wish our customers "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas," will a national boycott be launched against our store? Does our condo association allow us to put a creche on our lawn?

These and other questions are on many lips during these few weeks. And as we have the past three years, Beliefnet is watching. This blog will chronicle, observe, report, and give you a chance to talk about the melee that might (or might not) churn up in spots both predictable and surprising around the country. Because when we take the time to notice what happens when religious holidays meet a diverse, pluralistic culture, we always learn something about America.

Let the watch begin....