Happy Buy Nothing Day
By bluegal Thursday Nov 22, 2007 12:29pmToday, in addition to being the biggest consumer debt orgy shopping day of the year, is Buy Nothing Day.
Now in its 15th year, the popular Buy Nothing Day is celebrated every November by environmentalists, social activists and concerned citizens in as many as 65 countries.
Timed to coincide with Black Friday (this year on Friday, November 23) in the United States, and the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season internationally (on Saturday, November 24), the festival takes many shapes, from relaxed family outings, to free, non-commercial street parties, to politically charged public protests. Anyone can take part provided they spend a day without spending.
Perhaps we should all wait until tomorrow, then, to buy a ticket to “What Would Jesus Buy?” a documentary produced by Morgan Spurlock of “Super Size Me!” fame. It's billed as "the movie Santa doesn't want you to see!"
Save us from the Shopocalypse, Reverend Billy!
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Amen!
Unfortunately, most of my neighborhood is out shopping today.
I'm at work today, so this is easy to observe.
Tomorrow, not so sure ;-)
RAmen brother, I'm not spending a dime this christmas and told my family not to buy me anything and save thier money...
I refuse to buy anything made in China. Since almost everything is made in China I am saving money by not shopping.
I tried to buy a flashlight a few weeks ago. I had to buy a used one on eBay. It works and it was made in the USA.
Reverend Billy ROCKS. Now that's a religion I can get into. I'm going to try and convince my parents not to buy me anything this year too. I just don't need it as bad as other people need food and a roof.
Doesn't it seem like this idea could gain more attention and better results if they DIDN'T pick the biggest shopping day of the year?
I'm all for it, but no advertiser it going to effected by this - or even care.
Why don't they pick another day - like December 12 (like the 12 Days of Christmas...get it?)
GOP CANDIDATES REFUSE TO CAMPAIGN ON ‘BLACK FRIDAY’
Today is NOT "the busiest shopping day of the year". It is a myth. Snopes has details with numbers. Even a bit of time to think should suggest that the weekends just before Christmas would be the busiest times (as they are).
For those who don't want to click-through to Snopes, here's where "the busiest shopping day of the year" actually ranks in busiest shopping days:
2002: #4
2001: #6
2000: #5
1999: #8
1998: #8
1997: #7
1996: #5
1995: #7
1994: #8
1993: #8
We can't have a "no shopping" day, on a shopping day, that would be wrong...
With apologies to the late no great Richard Milhous Nixon.
Well I wish we could have done that today. . . but we had to go to the store to get a b-day present for tomorrow and a loaf of vread. Otherwise
we cower at home waiting for this day and madness to end ... I hate crowds anyway.
Clytemnestra @ 10:
I meant bread
Yeah. That'll work.
Sorry, but if you are poor, you shop the sales. Retailers love to promote the day after Thanksgiving as it helps even out the drought that used to exist from November until right before Christmas (I guess we all procrastinate).
I'm not sure who this is supposed to help. Or hurt. "Don't buy anything ever"? "Only buy expensive things"? Whatever...
This tells more about the organizers than anything else. Unthinking consumption is definitely a problem, but things like this are where the daddy's-land-rover-driving-protest-hippies on the left lose me for good. Rather than yelling in people's faces not to buy things when they are affordable, why not guide them on alternatives for gifts, the importance of fair-trade retail, and more appropriate amounts of overall consumption? Oh wait, because then you don't get as much attention from being a confrontational jerk.
It seems to me that about 50% of the protests these days are about the "protester" needs, rather than the issue. Is this one of those?
i just got wood watching that!!
I'm going right out to buy Hallmark cards to remind my friens to not shop!
Does buying lunch count as a violation? I got up late for work today.
Otherwise, I buy...er, don't buy into Buy Nothing Day. ^_^
Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping! Hallelujah!!!
I went to get some Christmas presents...but had nothing left over after I threw $55 of gas in my Taurus!!!!!!!!!!!!
I "opted out" of the "Christmas spirit" thing when I found out that AMERICA'S SANTA is nothing more than an invention of the Coke People....and that also blew the tooth faerie, the Easter bunny, the flying reindeer and Mickey Mouse onto the world of tinker bell and peter pan....somewhere very close to the Big House at 1600 Penn Ave, D.C. next door to Oz.....around the corner from the Looking Glass....
(or thereabouts....)
Yay! Hubby and child are back after only buying 3 used Nintendo games for the b-day boy!
Reports of traffic backed up on the NYS Thruway this a.m. Parking lot full at Woodbury Commons outlet caused severe traffic problems. Folks lined up starting at midnight to get the sales. Gawd bless you Rev. Billy. Those sheep need some saving(s).
swarmofkillermonkeys @ 12:
Good suggestion. My family stopped buying gifts for each other on Christmas. Instead the adults exchange names and donate to a favorite charity in that person's name. It takes a little fun out the day but at the same time does away with the stressful shopping frenzy. It also does away with pretending to be thrilled about the gifts you get that you'll never use and the maxed out credit cards.
But the kiddies still get stuff from their parents.
If I can, I'd like to offer a different perspective on "Buy Nothing" day. And yes, I am a small, independent, lefty retailer.
This is an excerpt from something I wrote a year or two ago about Buy Nothing Day.
...who "hears" this message the loudest should this sort of protest achieve its goal? It's not the big corporate box stores, the supposed intended targets of the protest - they are the sorts of businesses that most people who would participate in a Buy Nothing Day shouldn't be shopping at in the first place. No, the ones who get "the message" are small, independent, mom & pop businesses.
See, Wal-Mart has deep enough pockets to withstand a day of drastically decreased sales. Marginal indie businesses do not.
Small, independent business are trying to survive in an environment that's already hostile and stacked against them in the first place. This Buy Nothing "protest" actually helps the very people you are trying to send a message to by thinning out the indie flock. At its most basic, a Buy Nothing Day Protest is an attack on the very businesses that you should, in fact, support.
Here's my whole take on Buy Nothing Day.
StevenMN @ 21:
Yeah, I remember one Christmas as a kid where we made "godseyes" as our own "gifts" (don't ask some lame and useless 80s crafts-thing) and ate greasy pork(?) chow mien on the road near midnight. Worst. Christmas. Ever. Even the motel had roaches. Thanks be my parents got at least a LITTLE consumerism back after that. Sometimes it is worth it to do something expensive and special once a year.
On a less "bah humbug" note, I'm a fan of Spurlock. I'll have to check out the movie! (I missed the hype apparently -- no TV, I guess. Thanks C&L.)
What would Jesus buy for Christmas Dinner? Easy:
Wild Alaskan Alder Smoked Keta Salmon. He loves him some fishes, and would NEVER buy farmed salmon. Violating the "buy local, buy in season" rule for the special holiday, it's a smart choice as others are unlikely to bring it, but a little spendy. Still he'll bring enough for everyone -- he just hates it when you run out. Besides, better eat them while you can before all Pacific salmon are so stuffed with mercury from China's coal that they are too poisonous to eat.
Artisan Flatbread from a locally owned baker. I'm thining some Naan with cumin (no caraway); something simple that would excel with either turkey or pork. He'd consider the addition of a organic goat feta with parsley, coriander, and green onions as a spread. Very topical as somewhat persian and a good conversation starter. For a more traditional choice he go with something like this gluten-free Kalamata & Rosemary bread, homemade. Olives are always a hit with the holy land homecrowd, as are the chickpeas substituted for wheat flower. As above he'd bring plenty. Nothing pisses Jesus off like running out of consumables at a party.
Organic, No-Sulfite Oregon Pinot Noir. Currently trendy (giving way slowly to Tempranillo), but usually worth the attention. And sometimes the price... Certain to be appreciated by any wine drinker, however. If a large gathering, or there will be those that might not jive to the red juice, he'd probably bring an underdog backup in white that flows especially well with the salmon and turkey, like Gewürztraminer (a vineyard like Amity makes a good example of both). Don't have to worry about running out of wine. Again, Jesus has you covered. The man literally oozes wine! 'Nuf said.
Mmmm. Fishes, loaves, and wine... Jesus has great taste! As such he's welcome at my table anytime (as long as he doesn't talk politics. If we BOTH get into our rage against the money changers in the
templesmegachurches and the blasphemic hypocrisy of the wealthy against the poor and 'unclean', we might talk each other into doing something stupid. Especially after all that yummy wine...);)
Something else not to buy today: The notion that both political parties are so hoplessly flawed and ridiculously compromised by money and special interests that there's no difference. That worked so well last time, didn't it? (An old bumper sticker on a rusty car reminds me of what's important.)
I bought some tomatoes, lettuce, broccoli and oranges. Am I going to hell? Usually I observe this day, and for good measure add on another no shopping day of my own, too. Shopping--believe it or not-- is destroying the planet, and running politics.
Today is not the biggest shopping day of the year. That's a myth.
I used to see the most Reverend Billy spreading the word in NYC's den of iniquity...OTB.
BRILLIANT IDEA!!
My family quit buying the truck loads for each other about ten years ago, and mysteriously, Christmas reappeared.
We decided to buy ONE GIFT under $10 for each of the family. I could be used, made, a "coupon" good for baby sitting, making favorite dinner dish, car wash, shoe shines, etc.
We have NEVER had more fun enjoying each other's gifts, and it cost us next to nothing. Christmas lost the commercial "buy it, even if you don't need it" crap.
Try it. You won't regret it, and it's what this country needs. STOP BUYING garage sales full of crap you don't need, just to keep the stores and producers happy. Make yourself happy!!!
swarmofkillermonkeys @ 12:
Exactly!
I fully agree that the US has turned into something of an insane consumerist pit (not that most other places are any better--Japan is every bit as bad, if not worse, since they have more money to spend on unnecessary things).
And I fully agree that encouraging less mindless consumerism is a great thing--I try to give gifts that mean something rather than just cost money, and I generally try to avoid buying wildly unnecessary things "just because".
But telling me to "buy nothing" on a day when I'm likely to get good deals on things I needed/really wanted to buy anyway is kind of insulting.
See, I need a new microwave. NOW. Old one broke, isn't safely repairable (and yes, it was checked by a repair person), and I'd like to reheat some of those Thanksgiving leftovers. So I could wait until tomorrow to make a point that NOBODY will notice, or I could go today to see if I can save a few bucks. Which makes more sense?
Similarly: I was looking at getting a new mouse because my current one is messing up my wrist. Amazon had a one-hour deal on one today for like $7 (usually about $40 on a good sale). So... I should not buy it today so I can give Amazon another $30 an make a point to nobody?
No, sorry, I'll celebrate a "Buy less December" long before I'll celebrate a "Buy nothing day" when the deals are good.
Oh, and I think it is, in a way, legitimate to call Black Friday "The biggest shopping day of the year"--NO it's not the day on which most people shop, but it is the day in which the advertising pressure and accompanying sales/loss leaders to SHOP RIGHT NOW are the largest. People would be in a frenzy the weekend before Christmas regardless of sales, but the only reason people rush out to shop like crazy on this particular Friday is because they're being pressured and encouraged to.
Some humour, (copied and pasted) from over at YouTube, which probably sums up how a lot of shoppers shop/think.
I can't wait to BUY my tickets to this movie, I will get popcorn, candy, a hotdog, and a coke. Then I will buy it when it comes out on DVD. Then I will buy it again when the special edition comes out a year later, and maybe again once I put my blu-ray player on my CC.
I CAN'T WAIT! PRAISE JESUS!
I hope there are some resources left for the collective grandchildren. (I don't have any kids myself.)
I think a lot of you are missing the point. Buy Nothing Day is to make people aware of the side effects of rampant consumerism, not to make your lives miserable. Do as you must, but be aware.
If anyone is screaming in your face, well, they must be the no-shoppo-fascist wing of the movement. ;) It's not meant to be like that.
If anyone is "screaming in your face", they must be from the no-shoppo-fascist wing of the movement. :) It's not meant to be so militant, just to raise awareness and spur action.
I live in George W. Bush's America. The price of gas is over $3.00 a gallon. Food is high. I celebrate "Buy Nothing Day" all week long.
Every day is 'buy nothing day' for us. Being poor is an excellent motivator.
I shopped for Dennis Kucinich today. I bought him a Presidential campaign. I hope he likes it:):):)
PS -- OK, OK, so I had a little help........
Well, the door knob to the bathroom broke yesterday, crawled out the window and around the front of the house. This unfortunately necessitated telling the 4-year-old to get on a chair and undo the "child-proof" lock to let me in. Now -- we both knew he could do that, in an unconscious sort of way, but now it's REALLY out in the open. Not so great, since he's foster-to-adopt, and does go into tantrums. But the neighbors would bring him home, I presume?
At any rate, I reserve the right to buy a lock today. If you've ever tried to use the bathroom with a 4-year-old outside, you know exactly why.
(What, why are you laughing??)
Well I bought a few items today, but one was a turkey that's going to a food pantry/homeless shelter and the other was medicine for my sick girlfriend. I like to think the good Reverend Billy would forgive those sins. On another note, does anyone know how I can convince my family and other loved ones that I really really do not want anything for Christmas and to not get me anything? I've been trying to explain this for years, but even my girlfriend, who totally understands where I'm coming from, tends to get me something along with donating to charity in my name. Yeah, I know it's not the worst thing in the world to be surrounded by generous people who like buying me stuff, but what I really want is nothing for myself.
What I started doing some years ago is to either make gifts or buy them from various charities, such as SERRV (www.agreatergift.org), National Wildlife Federation (www.shopnwf.org), and the Southwest Indian Foundation (www.southwestindian.com). These sites have great stuff, they usually have a clearance page where you can save a bundle, and you save gas and stress by shopping online. If you're going to shop, why not do it for a great cause?
Well, I had to buy some Hot Wheels today, but it was fer a six year-old's birthday party this weekend.
Hey, I wasn't gonna double back and waste gas when I was drivin' by the store on the way home from work anyway.
swarmofkillermonkeys @ 12:
Have a sense of humour? really, Rev Billy is very funny! Its social satire at its finest.
Did you go to the Rev Billy's web site? Because they have a list of fair trade companies, suggestions, like yours ...buy local, buy sustainable, buy American, support local artists, etc.
And if you want to shop when things are affordable, I suggest the after Xmas sales, when all the stuff that was 'on sale' on Black Friday is marked down 50 to 80%.
Am doing for Xmas what I did last year, and will do every year untill the occupation is over... Buying everyone a care package or a tent for an Iraqi refugee family.
www.unhrc.org
Will buy for my 7 yo nephew. And I will make some nice treats, usually a Xmas cake made with Guinness stout.
Benn @ 22:
Word! From another indie retailer....
Accually doing quite well today, and we didn't have to open @ 4am.
Stupid ass hippies, if you don't like capitalism take your weak asses down to Cuba, libs!!
Ok, ok. I realize that was a little grumpy. I haven't bought anything but crappy cheap food in over 6 months now (no clothes, music, gum, soda, candy, electronics, personal care items... nothing. well, I did gas up twice.). I don't feel especially enlightened or holier than thou about it. Personally, I'd have rather bought a 24" iMac today and would have zero guilt about it -- my computer is a 9 year old mac... Buying nothing at all is over-rated. Fortunately I REALLY don't do crowds, so the whole "mall scene" on special days is pretty much off limits anyway.
Rev. Billy is new to me, and I wasn't really referring to him and his choir. Looks pretty hilarious actually. I assumed "Buy Nothing Day" was separate; it certainly seems that it is being taken seriously... Maybe it's just a good excuse for spouses that didn't want to follow their mate around like a zombie all day shopping anyway to hand out in the park instead. It wouldn't hurt my feelings to have an Octoberfest version 2.0 instead (now with snow and dark beer)! Sort of post Thanksgiving tailgaiting I suppose -- it'd be good to burn off those calories from the feast.
You bring up an interesting point though. It seems to me that while there are some common items on sale on "Black Friday" and after Christmas, I remember some being exclusive (certainly back when I was buying a lot of outdoors gear, "Black Friday" was the day for what I wanted to be as cheap as it gets). But I'm not really a shopping "pro" so I'm not too sure if there are other differences. Hmm...
shano @ 42:
OMG. I just had a vision of a German Chocolate cake make with Guinness! You are a genius... brilliant! I might actually have to try that. Not sure if it would fight the Kirsch or they'd be best friends...
Sleeping in is just too appealing to be outdone by a bargain hunting orgy. Besides, Annual Gift Man from the Moon doesn't really need my help when it comes to Giftmas.
I seen my duty, and I done it!
I stopped shopping on black friday. Years ago. It's overrated and not worth the crap you have to go through to get a damn $25 DVD player. My BF shopping days ended when I embraced internet shopping :-D
Bravo out.
damn, I bought Unreal Tournament III. Forgot that today was the day. Oh well, I'll make up for it by buying nothing tamarrow.
Damn, I wish I had read about this a couple of days ago. I had to take my car into the shop (motor mounts, fuel sensor, yikes!) and spent plenty. Does it count if you don't acutally shop, you just pay for repairs?
I bought booze today.
Does that count ?
didn't spend a dime today, felt great. Impeach Bush and Cheney, then we can really celebrate by spending $$$ on our elected officials who choose to hold these traitorous war criminals accountable for their too numerous to count high crimes and misdemeanors.
I'm sure that everyone's just REALLY feeling the effects of a few people not shopping.
Things like this DON'T WORK. It's a way for the self-righteous to feel good about themselves.
Yeah, just like that Damian.
Can't afford to buy anything this year anyway - for the second time in three years.
*
I offer as a suggestion 3 more no shopping days for everyones calender:
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Independance Day
Buy everything that you might need the day before, food,gas,toiletpaper, whatever.
No retail business should be open on these days, employees need to with their families.
When you see a business open on one of these holidays send an email to the corporation and let them know you think it's a disgrace that their employees can not be with their families.
I have been doing this for years, if you have to travel you have to buy gas, food, hotel etc..... tough to avoid, but for the rest of us............
f the infomercialist voice over guys in all the friday sales commercials
Hmm... I did buy food today.
There's a great commercial opportunity here, in this 'Buy Nothing Day' movement.
Someone should package gaily decorated empty boxes, list the contents as 'Nothing', and advertise them that way.
That will satisy the avatistic need American women have to shop, while upping the national savings rate (I'm assuming the greedy corporate producers of boxes of nothing will accept a reasonable, as opposed to an 'All They Can Bear' approach to pricing), provide less anxiety choosing gifts at Christmas time, and make lugging packages home from shopping trip much easier.
And reduce the mortality rate of Chinese-product users.
These people are sick. They have screwed this country up so bad that people don't really even have money to spend for Xmas or anything else. I went to the mall, just to see what was really going on and there were lots of people walking around without any bags at all.
They have finely screwed up so bad they can't even depend on the big dollars they have become accustomed to and folks that is bad in one way but oh so good in another.
I hope not to see Xmas lights or trees this year if we can help it.
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