Buy Nothing Day
Today I just found out that I’m a supporter of a movement that protests spending on November 23rd, otherwise known as Black Friday.
Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, when retailers open up their doors to consumers, as early as midnight, hoping to capitalize on holiday spending, or overspending, by offering deep discounts.
Of course, not everyone is pleased with the consumption of stuff. Adbusters Magazine editor, Kalle Lasn created an unofficial holiday called, Buy Nothing Day to be celebrated on November 23* or Black Friday. They hope to get consumers to stop their excessive spending habits and realize that everything we buy has an impact on the environment.
Adbusters website says that “Buy Nothing Day is not really about refusing to spend a dime over the holiday season. It’s about taking a deep breath and deciding to opt out of the hype‚ the overcrowded malls‚ and the stressful to–do lists. It’s about reminding ourselves to really think about what we are buying‚ why we are buying it‚ and whether we really need it at all.”
What’s funny is that I have a rule in my home that says: When we buy something, something else has to go. I do this more so to combat clutter than to save the environment.
I like the idea of Buy Nothing Day, but what I don’t like is the irregularity of it all. How come we can’t implement more Buy Nothing Days in our life. How come we can’t be nicer to people all year round, instead of just around the holiday season? How come we have to wait until Thanksgiving or Christmas to get the family together? These things should be a way of life and not something we put on and take off like a coat. What happens on November 24th, do we go back to consuming and buying stuff we don’t need?
I’m not much of a social or environmental activist, but I do what I can for the environment. I’m not against shopping, I love to shop when I have money and I actually need the item, but I do wonder how much of this stuff that we buy will be sitting in a landfill this time next year.
What do you think about this unofficial holiday and are you planning on being in the stores on Black Friday? I’ll pass.
*November 23 and runs through November 26 in some countries.
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My name is Valerie aka Natural and I will be writing about whatever is on my mind. I love teaching, dialogue, sharing and making people laugh. I never know what I'll share here but this is me, Thinking Out Loud.
Buy Nothing Day. Well, I had a day like that today where I bought absolutely nothing at all … LOL! Now if I could only do that everyday …
I’m with you Nick. I need more Buy Nothing Days.
I fully support the idea of boycotting Black Friday. It is utterly ridiculous how people behave. That mob type behavior is a bit unsettling to me. I did not go out today. I posted an earth friendly post today regarding Mother Earth. If it affects one person then that will be a step forwards. I think Black Friday is an indicator that humans have a long way to go in regards to evolving.
This was a great post. Good for you for thinking outside the box. We need more like you.
Thank you Titania for your comment. I will check out your blog as well.
Thanks for the complement.
I know that I wasn’t anywhere near a mall or a store of any kind today, nor am I on any other so-called Black Friday. I just always called it one of the most F-d up days of the friggn year! And as for that love, peace and happiness crap. That’s cool too.
Great post. I didn’t buy anything on Friday though I didn’t know about the”Buy Nothing Day”. We should have more of these “Boycott” days. Only then will we be more aware of the environmental impact of commercialism!
Right on! Good stuff! I say we strive to make a new Friday…called Bright Friday!
The news acts like all the economic news is bad but I don’t see it. People in my town seem to be spending money like drunken sailors. I must be the only person in the country struggling financially. Happy post black friday.
Blessings,
Lance
I have to admit that I went shopping on Black Friday and did overspend a bit! I like the idea of NOT shopping on that day or weekend. I think you bring up a good point. We should stop and think about what we area buying and if we really need it. The glutany in our culture is a bit much to stomach and I’m guilty too.