Beyond the shop-travel-eat-repeat cycle: doing the holidays differently

A few years back, I pledged to do the holidays differently and it has made all the difference. The demands and indulgences of the season—the shop, travel, eat, repeat-cycle—left me too busy and, frankly, a little bereft. I felt blind to the real opportunity of the season; to sustain our most important connections and build new ones. Meanwhile, the abundance on display—from glittering shop windows to piled-high buffet tables—made it too easy to forget that this season’s luxuries are only available to some of us.

So, for three years running I have committed myself to the Plenty Pledge. It’s simple but transformative. When I have enough and a little extra—in terms of time, money, food, or connections—I make a point of sharing it around. That’s it! It’s not an official “thing.” There’s no website to visit or app. to track. It’s just you and you,deciding what the end of the year should be about. My hunch is that it will make the season richer for you and those around you.

It’s as easy as adding an item to your grocery shopping list— maybe something that’s special for your family this time of year—and bringing it to your local food shelf. Or skipping mall shopping in favor of nonprofit gifts, made in your loved ones’ names. Or introducing your favorite professional connections to one another and watching the new ideas fly.

You could also use some of your conversations to help spread the word that we’re wrapping up the hungriest year in memory, right here in our food-rich community. And that 120,000 kids will be wishing they were back in school over the holiday break, because they rely on meals served at school to be fed. You won’t dampen holiday spirits if you point out that everyone can help! What could be more holiday than sharing a meal?

I think many of us feel the same pull to change up our holidays. To find more ways to spread the joy more equitably. If that’s you, join me and Sophia. Pledge to celebrate generously and foster a season that nourishes us all.

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