Top SoKind Holiday Books for Children

Blog   |   by Edna Rienzi   |   December 8, 2014

We know so many Americans are tired of the commercialization of the holidays and want more of what matters ...not just more stuff and stress. But, in the midst of all the commercials, lists for Santa, and shopping trips, how do you get your kids to appreciate a simpler, more meaningful holiday? We've compiled a list of our favorite holiday books that we hope make it easier for you to communicate your values and desires to your kids. Happy Reading!

New "Green" Films You Won't Want to Miss

Blog   |   by Mark Valentine   |   June 14, 2013

New Dream shares highlights from the recent San Francisco Green Film Festival.

Hundred Dollar Holiday: The Case for a More Joyful Christmas

Blog   |   by Bill McKibben   |   October 3, 2010

Reward Yourself with Time and Creativity in the New Year

Blog   |   by Wendy Philleo   |   December 19, 2011

A lot of people can’t stand New Year’s resolutions, but I enjoy thinking about all the possibilities when a fresh year lies ahead.

The Gift of Connecting with the Past

Blog   |   by Moira Silva   |   December 7, 2018

New Dreamer Moira Silva shares the experience of creating a truly meaningful gift for her family: the gift of interviewing her great aunt.

Excerpt: The Art of Frugal Hedonism

Blog   |   by New Dream   |   March 5, 2018

Looking for a way to save money (and the world), inoculate yourself against many of the ills of modern life, and enjoy everything more? Try "frugal hedonism."

Avoiding the Trap of Holiday Consumerism

Blog   |   by Isaiah Johnson   |   December 7, 2018

New Dream Youth Fellow Isaiah Johnson details the true costs of holiday consumerism and outlines five things you can do to avoid its traps.

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.

Hundred Dollar Holiday: The Case for a More Joyful Christmas

Resources   |   by Bill McKibben   |   April 14, 2017

Author and environmentalist Bill McKibben discusses the "Hundred Dollar Holiday" program he started through local churches in the late-1990s, and why we need to reclaim the true joy of Christmas in our lives.

Armageddon—Or A Time for Reinvention?

Blog   |   by Sarah Allison   |   March 23, 2020

A young California resident wonders whether, as a species, we can learn wider societal lessons from the spread of coronavirus.

The Future of Work? Get on the Lattice or Die

Blog   |   by Liz Kofman and Astri Von Arbin Ahlander   |   May 8, 2013

How do you balance work and life in a financially tight and job-insecure world? First, forget about the corporate ladder.

5 Action Steps to Change Kids’ Screen Time

Blog   |   by Shara Drew   |   May 15, 2018

Here are five steps you can take to help make childhood what it should be for kids: filled with play, quality time with caring adults, and exploration in the natural world. 

Film Review: “Sorry to Bother You”

Blog   |   by Alexis Arambul and Sarah Allison    |   September 13, 2018

Two New Dream Youth Fellows have a conversation about Boots Riley’s cringe-inducing satire of racism and capitalism in America.

How to Host an Unforgettable Party

Blog   |   by Michelle Damiani   |   March 7, 2018

Learn how one Charlottesville resident organized an unforgettable party around soup, designed to celebrate, honor, and support the diverse strands of her community.

TIPS: Reader Submissions: How I Simplify the Holidays

Resources   |   by New Dream   |   December 20, 2011

We asked our readers for their ideas for simplifying the holidays, and the response was overwhelming! Here are some of our favorite tips.