Tags: Vancouver, Christmas, Buy Nothing DayA good friend of mine was kind enough to remind me that today is Buy Nothing Day in North America.
The purpose? For those who choose to participate, this is a day when you consciously take yourself out of the consumption pool, dry off, and go do something else for 24 hours. The website states it a little more eloquently, of course:
For 24 hours, millions of people around the world do not participate in the doomsday economy, the marketing mind-games, and the frantic consumer-binge that's become our culture. We pause. We make a small choice not to shop. We shrink our footprint and gain some calm. Together we say: enough is enough. And we help build this movement to rethink our unsustainable course.
And if you're in the UK? Buy Nothing Day is November 26th. Visit their website for yet another slant on the reasons for participating.
It's not an official holiday of course - what mall marketing director could do anything with something so subversive?
In related news, Adbusters is again promoting a Buy Nothing Christmas and it's worth taking a look at the site to get ideas for alternatives to a consumerist Christmas.Adbusters is not the only group to promote this way of dealing with Christmas. Type 'buy nothing christmas' into google.ca, and you'll quickly find something to suit every taste, from the Buy Nothing Christmas website created by a group of concerned Canadian Mennonites, to the page created by the fine folks over at The Center for a New American Dream (I have to admit I have a soft spot for these guys - they've had a presence on the net for a very long time, and their brochure on Simplifying Christmas was one of the first resources I used ).
Feel a little more militant? Join the Christmas Resistance Movement! Wanna do it French? Go here. You get the idea - there are lots of resources.
Speaking of which, how could I write about this without mentioning books? When I first started researching this a few years ago, some of the first books I read included 100 Dollar Holiday, Unplug The Christmas Machine and Elaine St. James' Simplify Your Christmas. Now there's another book I plan to hunt down: The Trouble with Christmas by Tom Flynn. The best part? More than likely you can find these at your local public library.
Mmmmm books...
8 comments:
Hi, Michelle sent me.
I will definitely participate in Buy Nothing Day. Wait... does the "Buy Nothing" apply to beer?
Nice idea, cin.
I have had a buy nothing day as the lurgy has prevented me from leaving the house at all! So sickness is a bonus!
Michele sent me
cq
Not in North America at all so the post Thanksgiving day rush means nothing to us. I do have to go to the supermarket though lol
Michele sent me.
I agree that we have become the ULTIMATE Consumer Culture.. How about Don't Buy Anything Ever...That could work!!! (lol)
I'm here from Michele today....
Today in California is called Black Friday because so many start their Christmas shopping the Friday after Thanksgiving and the stores profits are in the black rather than the red. Fortunately or unfortunately, I love the planning, buying, wrapping, and all the hustle bustle so guess I am part of the consumption culture that isn't advanced enough or ready enough to give it up or even simplify it. Maybe in my next lifetime.
Well, sadly, I can't not buy anything today. First of all, I've left all my grocery shopping so if I'm to eat, I have to buy something.
Second? I'm going to a movie tonight, so that's another purchase.
And, finally? I really need to purchase the last of my connector flight tickets today for my trip coming up. So...
I guess I'll be the crazy consumer I usually am, today. Sorry I can't comply!
Besides, what I didn't buy today, I'd just be putting off til tomorrow.
Hi, Michele sent me. I live in a rural area. I have buy nothing day a lot. But I agree that this is a great idea.
I'll be sure to pass this on to my friend- who got up at 3AM to hit Black Friday sales in the mall!!!
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