Make Holidays Your Own: Celebrate Holidays Throughout the Year in More Meaningful and Inclusive Ways

This 144-page book explains that July 4 can be "Interdependence Day." Memorial Day and Veterans Day can focus on preventing war instead of celebrating it. Earth Day can be about urgent climate action by big corporations and their political allies. Labor Day can be about issues faced by working people today. MLK Day can be about the movement, not just the man. 

Traditionally, each of the 13 holidays discussed in this book comes with a message. With symbols. With a story that reinforces a certain way of looking at our society, and that passes on certain values to the next generation. 

Make Holidays Your Own will help you and your community make conscious choices to make holidays less commercial and more meaningful, inclusive, and fun.

“This timely book is full of informative history about some of our holidays that will surprise many readers. In addition, the book provides suggestions for celebrating these holidays that bring people together to forge a better world.” – Steven Pitts, Emeritus Associate Chair, UC Berkeley Labor Center, and co-founder, National Black Worker Center

“Some holidays were hard-won; some are based on myths. Make Holidays Your Own helps turn these familiar dates into meaningful opportunities for learning and connection.” – Mandy Yeahpau (Comanche, Cherokee, and Tarahumara descent), board member, Indigenous Creative Stage Workers Alliance

“Make Holidays Your Own is an inspiring resource for teachers, parents, students, and anyone interested in social change.” – Deborah Menkart, Executive Director, Teaching for Change

“I love the idea of ‘Interdependence Day’ for July 4th and making holidays like Memorial Day and Veterans Day about peace and justice instead of celebrating war.” – David Zeiger, Film Director, “Sir! No Sir!”

“Holidays can be about our hopes, our values, and the future we want to see. That’s what this book is about.” Hannah Sohl, co-founder, Rogue Climate