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7 Days of Christmas: A Season of Generosity
Inspired by and adapted from her breakout book 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess , 7 Days of Christmas takes Hatmaker's social experiments in seven key areas—food, clothes, spending, media, possessions, waste, stress—and turns them into thoughtful and practical generosity that captures the true spirit of Christmas.
7 Days of Christmas covers 7 days during the Christmas season to practice both generosity and restraint in the areas related to the book. It will contain snippets of Jen’s journey throughout to offer insight, humor, ideas, facts, and encouragement for the reader to consider while embracing this change, if only for 24 hours.
We’ll see the reasons why each area is important to Jen and also applicable to most American families. We’ll also see how that particular area of excess impacts the family unit, the community, and the world at large—complete with ideas on how to reduce thoughtless consumption and consider other practices that lead to less stuff but more joy.
7 Days of Christmas covers 7 days during the Christmas season to practice both generosity and restraint in the areas related to the book. It will contain snippets of Jen’s journey throughout to offer insight, humor, ideas, facts, and encouragement for the reader to consider while embracing this change, if only for 24 hours.
We’ll see the reasons why each area is important to Jen and also applicable to most American families. We’ll also see how that particular area of excess impacts the family unit, the community, and the world at large—complete with ideas on how to reduce thoughtless consumption and consider other practices that lead to less stuff but more joy.
192 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2019
About the author
Jen Hatmaker
47 books2,680 followersJEN HATMAKER is the New York Times bestselling author of For the Love and Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire, along with twelve other books. She hosts the award-winning For the Love podcast, is the delighted curator of the Jen Hatmaker Book Club, and leader of a tightly knit online community where she reaches millions of people each week. Jen is a co-founder of Legacy Collective, a giving organization that grants millions of dollars toward sustainable projects around the world. She is a mom to five kids and lives happily just outside Austin, Texas.
To learn more about Jen, visit www.jenhatmaker.com.
To learn more about Jen, visit www.jenhatmaker.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
December 19, 2019
3.5 stars
7 Days of Christmas is a book by Jen Hatmaker that focuses on a season of generosity. It shows you 7 areas you can tweak to make your holiday more meaningful. I've not read her original book (7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess) but after reading this, I think I'd like to. It seems really interesting.
All 7 things Jen talks about in this book aren't relatable, but I still feel like I got something out of it. Overall, I liked this one!
7 Days of Christmas is a book by Jen Hatmaker that focuses on a season of generosity. It shows you 7 areas you can tweak to make your holiday more meaningful. I've not read her original book (7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess) but after reading this, I think I'd like to. It seems really interesting.
All 7 things Jen talks about in this book aren't relatable, but I still feel like I got something out of it. Overall, I liked this one!
November 13, 2019
3.5 stars
As other reviewers have said, this book isn’t really offering any new advice. It kind of read like a fancy, extended edition of a buzzfeed list/article. It was a gentle and refreshing reminder of what’s important as we head into the holiday season.
As other reviewers have said, this book isn’t really offering any new advice. It kind of read like a fancy, extended edition of a buzzfeed list/article. It was a gentle and refreshing reminder of what’s important as we head into the holiday season.
January 1, 2020
This is a little book that packs a big punch!!! So endearing, smart, funny, slightly sarcastic, basically so Jen Hatmaker! I have come to adore this lovely human. She is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise stale air period of life. JH points out 7 areas of life that we can all simplify to become more generous; more generous with our time, treasures, and talents! Her advice is always practical and simple yet still makes me think and ponder! I am glad I ended my 2019 reading with this lovely little book❤️
August 26, 2020
This is the first book I've read by this author and her writing style just doesn't gel with me. Plus she seems obsessed with the number 7.
December 28, 2019
I received this book for Christmas. I’m so glad I read it right away because it gave me the chance to reflect on advent and Christmas this year and contemplate changes j would like to make next year.
December 9, 2020
I have never felt like more of a Grinch than I did listening to this book. It would have been a DNF, except I need the body count for my reading challenge.
I think the main issue that kept me from liking this book is not being the target audience. Very narrowly aimed towards affluent, or at least comfortable, Americans with no concept (apparently), of not shopping or living excessively. While I do fall into the comfortable category, I didn't grow up with overabundance or with the mindset of excessivness.
The second reason i didn't like this book was because it was very obviously not aimed at someone with my personality. It stressed me out and made me anxious whenever she would list activities to cut back on, or the amount of stuff people consume and buy and how to limit and or get rid of it. Like, people actually have that many activities? People feel obligated to gift give to that many people outside of their immediate family? People live with that much excess of clothing and stuff? Stresser. And honestly no sympathy because you are doing it all to yourself, and I know that is just me being unkind, but still.
Again, to reiterate, this book is aimed at financial well off people, so I understand if some of the practical aspects don't line up with another demographic, but some of the spiritual practices (stopping to pray 7 times a day for however long, as a way to reconnect spiritual) are BS for anyone with an actual job or (assuming) with kids under a certain age.
Third thing I hated was the obligatory unplug from tech/lowkey tech is really so terrible though isnt it? Can older millennials please just shut up about this already. We all know; none of us want to hear your reheated thoughts about it. Also, shut up about how your kids are sooo plugged in all the time. As if they, and not YOU, the parent, you know the person raising them, is buy the tech and giving it to them and not placing limits around it. Just shut up all ready. Take responsibility or don't, but don't pretend that their tech lives are happening in a vacuum and you are somehow mysterious out of control. (Also, the older millennials INVENTED most of the tech, so double shut up!)
Hopefully this book is helpful for the intended audience and is a small catalyst in helping them reevaluate their lives and habits and for that I would recomend it to whomever that would be...
Frankly, I recommend reading Marie Kondo's book or watching her show. I connected on a spiritual level with her show and I don't say that lightly.
I think the main issue that kept me from liking this book is not being the target audience. Very narrowly aimed towards affluent, or at least comfortable, Americans with no concept (apparently), of not shopping or living excessively. While I do fall into the comfortable category, I didn't grow up with overabundance or with the mindset of excessivness.
The second reason i didn't like this book was because it was very obviously not aimed at someone with my personality. It stressed me out and made me anxious whenever she would list activities to cut back on, or the amount of stuff people consume and buy and how to limit and or get rid of it. Like, people actually have that many activities? People feel obligated to gift give to that many people outside of their immediate family? People live with that much excess of clothing and stuff? Stresser. And honestly no sympathy because you are doing it all to yourself, and I know that is just me being unkind, but still.
Again, to reiterate, this book is aimed at financial well off people, so I understand if some of the practical aspects don't line up with another demographic, but some of the spiritual practices (stopping to pray 7 times a day for however long, as a way to reconnect spiritual) are BS for anyone with an actual job or (assuming) with kids under a certain age.
Third thing I hated was the obligatory unplug from tech/lowkey tech is really so terrible though isnt it? Can older millennials please just shut up about this already. We all know; none of us want to hear your reheated thoughts about it. Also, shut up about how your kids are sooo plugged in all the time. As if they, and not YOU, the parent, you know the person raising them, is buy the tech and giving it to them and not placing limits around it. Just shut up all ready. Take responsibility or don't, but don't pretend that their tech lives are happening in a vacuum and you are somehow mysterious out of control. (Also, the older millennials INVENTED most of the tech, so double shut up!)
Hopefully this book is helpful for the intended audience and is a small catalyst in helping them reevaluate their lives and habits and for that I would recomend it to whomever that would be...
Frankly, I recommend reading Marie Kondo's book or watching her show. I connected on a spiritual level with her show and I don't say that lightly.
December 13, 2019
Oh, Jen Hatmaker. What a disservice you did to your fans. Why didn't you read this book yourself? I'm so disappointed! I enjoyed the other books I heard that you wrote and read, but this one was a complete snooze. I agree with everything that you have to say in this, but I just couldn't get into Rebecca Gallagher reading your words. I only stuck with it because of its brevity. Hoping you take heed and read the next one.
November 4, 2020
This book had some good ideas and reminders.
December 3, 2022
Ways to make the holiday season more meaningful and redirect our focus on the reason for the season, rather than being on devices and focusing on consumerism.
December 31, 2019
A quick read with some great thoughts of how to be more generous and more focused on the real reasons for the Christmas season.
October 7, 2019
I absolutely loved 7 and with my new-found desire to consume less and be a better steward of the earth, I have been extremely anxious about the holiday season coming up. I think there were some great ideas in this book and it's definitely a good reminder of how we should approach this season, but the format felt disjointed and I would have liked more specific examples and reflections of how Jen has implemented these things now many years after the original 7 challenge.
October 26, 2019
As a quick holiday gift or book to curl up with one weekend before December with Hatmaker’s quips and easy style, great choice and worth more stars. If looking for Hatmaker’s best, I don’t think it’s here. Reads like her blog rather than fresh in depth book. Supposed to be take off her book 7, but just go read 7...
November 26, 2019
Oh, I was pretty bummed that I didn’t enjoy this one more. Jen is one of my favorites, but I felt this book was surfacey, disjointed, and thrown together. Nothing like her original 7 book, which I loved!
September 24, 2019
I love Christmas and like Jen Hatmaker. This book was a huge letdown as it mainly consists of Bible versus and watered down experiences from her previous book 7.
November 23, 2019
Disclosure: I received an advanced readers copy of this book through the Amazon Vine program.
This is my first time reading a book by Jen Hatmaker. I noticed in a great majority of the reviews that this was a rehash of her original 7 book. Knowing this, & never having read the first book, I decided to get this as it would all be new to me. What I didn't realize was that this is a religious book. Obviously if you are familiar with the author, you'd already know this, but again, I never heard of her until now.
I found many areas of the book to be lacking in enough depth while others I read out loud to my husband. He & I both found the section on internet, smart phone, black friday, shopping, etc. to be the most interesting & frankly, sad. It's strange to be in a world where people cannot seem to disconnect from their devices. Where people all sit in a room together all staring at their device. It's incredible how quickly this has happened to us. Jen provides common sense advice to try to curb this addiction.
The book is small & very pretty with bible quotes & small suggestions to try to put Jesus back into Christmas rather than it being all about gifts. After all, Jesus is the reason for the season. It only took me about an hour or two to read (if you don't count me re-reading parts of it to my husband).
It would make a great gift to a like minded person. I love the Norwegian practice of gifting books :)
Overall, I enjoyed the book.
This is my first time reading a book by Jen Hatmaker. I noticed in a great majority of the reviews that this was a rehash of her original 7 book. Knowing this, & never having read the first book, I decided to get this as it would all be new to me. What I didn't realize was that this is a religious book. Obviously if you are familiar with the author, you'd already know this, but again, I never heard of her until now.
I found many areas of the book to be lacking in enough depth while others I read out loud to my husband. He & I both found the section on internet, smart phone, black friday, shopping, etc. to be the most interesting & frankly, sad. It's strange to be in a world where people cannot seem to disconnect from their devices. Where people all sit in a room together all staring at their device. It's incredible how quickly this has happened to us. Jen provides common sense advice to try to curb this addiction.
The book is small & very pretty with bible quotes & small suggestions to try to put Jesus back into Christmas rather than it being all about gifts. After all, Jesus is the reason for the season. It only took me about an hour or two to read (if you don't count me re-reading parts of it to my husband).
It would make a great gift to a like minded person. I love the Norwegian practice of gifting books :)
Overall, I enjoyed the book.
December 29, 2019
2.5 - I was excited to pick this book off the new book shelf at the local library mid-December and thought it would make a good read for the seven days between Christmas and New Years, but I think you are supposed to read it between Thanksgiving and Christmas maybe? Early in the book it seems like there is some kind of timing expectation I just couldn’t quite figure out. The substance, as other reviews have said isn’t new. It feels like parts are grabbed out of the original 7 (I did really like the original!) and fit into Christmas, which half works and seems to half not work. The book is beautiful in print and has lovely accent quotes and segments of passages and verses for reflection. I wanted to give this book a 3 star rating because I do like Jen Hatmaker so much, but it feels like this is someone else taking snippets of the author for a sellable product, which no shame there, but it didn’t meet what I’ve come to expect from the author. Sorry. I hope this is a mindful review, rather than just a critical one. Do not judge this author’s content based on this book and my review, go pick up For The Love.
December 8, 2019
I had never read anything by Jen Hatmaker, and after this book will probably not pick up another one. The subtitle, A Season of Generosity, was not really what this book was about. It was more about rethinking how you have been duped by the messages of the culture. Since I don't tend to thoughtlessly follow culture in the first place, the book didn't supply much that was useful to me. I didn't find information that was anything that wasn't much of what I have read in other media sources except that this book was accented by Scripture. My take away from this book is that I enjoy the Christmas season and, of course, there are things I can rethink to simplify but on the whole it's a very happy season festooned with less stress and more giving every year.
A plus: the formatting and illustration of the book is charming and inviting.
A plus: the formatting and illustration of the book is charming and inviting.
December 22, 2020
I loved this book more after discussing with my online book club. Perhaps it’s that, in South Africa, most of us are content (happy even) with just having food and clothes that the excesses referred to don’t affect very many of us. And when we do have plenty, we realise that on the nearest corner, there’s a beggar who could use that sweatshirt today rather than it laying unused in a cupboard.
The main theme was give your best not stuff you should really throw out. One takeaway for me - I would like to start a regular, intentional (not my current ad-hoc grab whatever I have in my pantry method) donation of a meal (pasta, oil, pasta sauce, etc.) to our school’s food pantry; my kids will choose the items monthly.
The main theme was give your best not stuff you should really throw out. One takeaway for me - I would like to start a regular, intentional (not my current ad-hoc grab whatever I have in my pantry method) donation of a meal (pasta, oil, pasta sauce, etc.) to our school’s food pantry; my kids will choose the items monthly.
December 9, 2019
inspired by her book 7, this slim volume focuses on ways to simplify the season down to what’s truly important + i love the other-centeredness of the ideas here; taking the attention off ourselves in order to show generosity and bless someone(s) else + thoughtful, encouraging, intentional, challenging, convicting (and its pretty!)
🎁
“If enough of us decided to share, we would unleash a torrent of justice to sweep away disparity, extreme poverty, and hopelessness.
The world is watching. Our kids are watching. Time is wasting.
Are we willing?”
🎁
this little lovely was included in this month’s #jenhatmakerbookclub ! 🤗
🎁
instagram book reviews @brettlikesbooks
🎁
“If enough of us decided to share, we would unleash a torrent of justice to sweep away disparity, extreme poverty, and hopelessness.
The world is watching. Our kids are watching. Time is wasting.
Are we willing?”
🎁
this little lovely was included in this month’s #jenhatmakerbookclub ! 🤗
🎁
instagram book reviews @brettlikesbooks
December 24, 2019
Advent/ Christmas 2019!
I feel like the book would have been better had I already read 7. I am also a little bummed that this book had nothing to do with 7 days (like the title implies).
It is a really entertaining and beautiful book. It also really got me thinking about how I need to be stretched as a Christian.
As a person who loves gifts and gift-giving, I thought I was generous. Really, I am only generous to people it is easy to be generous to. I am stingy with my time and effort. I am stingy with my attention to those who are hard to love.
I am grateful for the seeds this book planted in my heart regards gratitude, stewardship, loving others, and aiding the poor.
I feel like the book would have been better had I already read 7. I am also a little bummed that this book had nothing to do with 7 days (like the title implies).
It is a really entertaining and beautiful book. It also really got me thinking about how I need to be stretched as a Christian.
As a person who loves gifts and gift-giving, I thought I was generous. Really, I am only generous to people it is easy to be generous to. I am stingy with my time and effort. I am stingy with my attention to those who are hard to love.
I am grateful for the seeds this book planted in my heart regards gratitude, stewardship, loving others, and aiding the poor.
December 30, 2020
Easy to read, written with a lot of humor. It sounds like this book is a follow up of a previously written book by the same author which addresses the excesses of our society. Although I agree with the idea of minimizing and reducing our footprint, some of the author's suggestions would not really be workable for many people (such as gardening or composting). I am interested in pursuing organizations that help people with resources that the author points out, but wish more mention of them had been described. I feel that the book is a little bare in content.
I do suggest that this book is a good starting point and awakened my eyes, mind, and heart to how we can become more generous and less materialistic.
I do suggest that this book is a good starting point and awakened my eyes, mind, and heart to how we can become more generous and less materialistic.
December 13, 2021
I enjoyed this short read. She had some really good thoughts and quotes.
There are days when we seek things for ourselves and measure failure by what we do not gain. On the Sabbath we seek not to acquire but to share.
There are days when we exploit nature as if it were a horn of plenty that can never be exhausted.
On the Sabbath we stand in wonder before the mystery of creation.
There are days when we act as if we cared nothing
for the rights of others.
On the Sabbath we are reminded that justice is our duty and a better world our goal.
Therefore we welcome Shabbat. Day of rest, day of wonder, day of peace.
There are days when we seek things for ourselves and measure failure by what we do not gain. On the Sabbath we seek not to acquire but to share.
There are days when we exploit nature as if it were a horn of plenty that can never be exhausted.
On the Sabbath we stand in wonder before the mystery of creation.
There are days when we act as if we cared nothing
for the rights of others.
On the Sabbath we are reminded that justice is our duty and a better world our goal.
Therefore we welcome Shabbat. Day of rest, day of wonder, day of peace.
December 27, 2021
A book that judges the consumption, excess, and love of superfluous habits that doesn’t seem to realize it’s a cash grab that rehashes a its reality TV star author’s previous bestseller and social-media posts under a fresh coat of Christmas marketing. Slight (the same text is often repeated on facing pages), insular, and theologically unsound with a level of sourcing unacceptable on a college freshmen’s essay. A book that will remind you this holiday season that the worst charlatans want to lecture you about the true meaning of Christmas. If you happened to buy this book and want to take Hatmaker’s advice about getting rid of stuff, start with it.
December 8, 2020
I listened to the audiobook, and this one was not read by the author as her other books have been, so it was a little hard for me to get used to the voice.
As a fan of Jen's book “7” it was nice to revisit the principles we learned in her earlier book, but this time adapted to the holidays. We American women are often overwhelmed during the holidays because we try to do too much and spend too much and eat too much, etc. What if we could simply Christmas, spend more quality time with family, and replace excess with generosity?
As a fan of Jen's book “7” it was nice to revisit the principles we learned in her earlier book, but this time adapted to the holidays. We American women are often overwhelmed during the holidays because we try to do too much and spend too much and eat too much, etc. What if we could simply Christmas, spend more quality time with family, and replace excess with generosity?
December 22, 2020
I didn’t realize this was going to be a religious book, but I still read it without paying attention to the religious aspects (I wasn’t raised with that religion). Her writing style is more of that of a blogger and she seems to be writing notes to herself. The book mentions obvious tactics to minimize life that she seems to need reminders of and maybe more than most readers. Just wasn’t a useful read for me, but maybe if you live a more materialistic lifestyle or have kids that leans to accruing more “stuff.”
December 1, 2019
I LOVE JH. When I met her, she hugged me and thanked me for reading her stuff. Girl. It’s my freaking pleasure. I love this book and how she challenges us to be generous with our time, resources, and prayers. If you want to go into the uncomfortable where growth happens, read this book and allow yourself to receive the challenges. It challenges our consumerism and pushes us closer to the heart of Jesus. Highly recommend.
December 16, 2019
I loved the original book that inspired this Christmas spin-off, so I ordered 7 Days of Christmas to read during the holiday season. It’s short, simple, and beautiful. If you haven’t read the original book, 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, the readings may not resonate as deeply. I liked the Christmas version. It’s full of little reminders and nuggets but not an in-depth overhaul like 7.
December 18, 2019
This book is now one of my all time favorite books! I picked it up from my mom’s desk because the cover caught my eye and then I couldn’t put it down. Until I finished reading it, it went everywhere with me just in case I might have 2 minutes to spare. It reminded me why we even celebrate Christmas at all! It helped me open my eyes to the gift, the greatest gift of all that Jesus gave to us. I would recommend this book to anyone hoping to find a deeper meaning this season
December 23, 2019
With practical steps to simplify the Christmas season, 7 Days of Christmas is a quick and easy devotional-like read perfect for the holiday season. Hatmaker stays focused on why we need to root out excessiveness during this season, and provides suggestions on how to do just that - whether by donating items or time, reducing the stuff on the calendar, or changing how you give gifts (with less waste or by giving non-material gifts).
December 30, 2019
The “7 days” piece is a little confusing—I definitely thought this was something you could do in 7 days or something like that, but really it’s just 7 things to get rid of or do better instead of commercializing Christmas. And if I had to guess, it’s a springboard from her 7 book.
I like Jen Hatmaker’s writing, so I enjoyed reading this book, and I feel like she had some insightful things I’ll plan to revisit next November to cherish Christmas a little more.
I like Jen Hatmaker’s writing, so I enjoyed reading this book, and I feel like she had some insightful things I’ll plan to revisit next November to cherish Christmas a little more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews