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Reflecting on the Holidays
Blog | by New Dream | January 15, 2018
Before you jump ahead to the next thing in your life, we urge you to pause and reflect on your holiday experience.
How to Ask for the Gifts You Really Want This Holiday Season
Blog | by Edna Rienzi | November 23, 2015
Do you feel overwhelmed with your family's holiday gift-giving traditions? Check out three ideas for a more meaningful celebration. Here's to more fun and less stuff!
You Don’t Have to Bake Your Own Matzo: Tips for an Environmentally Friendly Passover
Blog | by Evonne Marzouk | March 17, 2017
If you’ve been wondering how to do Passover in a more environmentally friendly way, here are six ideas that might help.
Confronting Racism Through Personal Action and Deeper Community Connections
Blog | by Casey Williams | September 21, 2017
By building stronger networks with people and groups from diverse backgrounds, we can all help to create a more socially just and sustainable world.
Beyond the Lion’s Den: Mapping a More Meaningful Family Holiday
Blog | by Shara Drew | October 12, 2017
New Dream's Shara Drew describes her quest to create a different kind of holiday tradition for her family—one that has nothing to do with "stuff."
The Benefits—and Joy—of "Making Do" With What You Have
Blog | by Bea Echeverria | December 14, 2017
After moving to the U.S. from Spain, New Dreamer Bea Echevarria realized that "making do" wasn’t a coveted value for everyone. But there are many good reasons it should be.
Coming Soon! New Dream's "Community in Action" Challenge
Blog | by Edna Rienzi | January 5, 2018
For 2018, we’ve created a simple plan: we’re going to issue a series of concrete action steps every few months that are designed to help you build stronger communities and better love your neighbors.
Introduction to the SoKind Celebration Series
Blog | by Edna Rienzi | June 1, 2015
Welcome to the first installment of the SoKind Celebration Guide, which we will bring to you as a weekly blog series. This series is designed to serve as a resource for you regardless of whether you’re planning a wedding, a baby shower, a birthday party, a holiday celebration, a graduation picnic, or a backyard barbecue. Although we have focused on weddings, baby showers, and birthday parties throughout the series, most of the ideas and tips can be easily adapted for any type of celebration.
Want to Encourage Gifts That Really Matter? Plan an Alternative Gift Fair!
Blog | by Jennifer Oehme Knepper | May 4, 2017
It's never too early to start planning an alternative gift fair. Here's one story about getting it done.
The Value of Reducing Children's Screen Time: An Interview with Jean Rogers
Blog | February 6, 2018
Jean discusses how screen-time overuse is affecting kids' social-emotional and physical health, and provides tips for parents seeking to reduce screen time.
How Electricity Cooperatives in the U.S. Are Paving the Way for a Renewable Future
Blog | by Kevin Stark | July 17, 2017
Emerging co-op programs are keeping costs down and stimulating the economy while reducing energy use and benefiting the environment.
Living the Dream: Part-timer Sarah Lakeman
Blog | by Edna Rienzi | October 9, 2017
By cutting back her work hours, Sarah was able to make more time for her family and community—and to live true to her values.
Helping Teachers and Their Students Think About the "Stuff" They Use
Blog | by Shara Drew | September 19, 2017
Susan Salterberg talks about her work helping K-12 educators design creative lesson plans around consumption, well-being, and sustainability.
May My Children Be Givers
Blog | by Bellamy Shoffner | February 7, 2018
Bellamy Shoffner, editor of the online magazine Hold the Line, shares an eye-opening experience that led her to deepen her social justice work and step up her family's efforts to give more to their community.
Helping Your Kids Embrace a “More Fun, Less Stuff” Holiday
Blog | by Edna Rienzi | November 7, 2017
New Dream's Edna Rienzi shares six tips for how she gets her family on board with a simpler, yet more meaningful, holiday season.