‘Buy Nothing Day’

By Yazmin Cruz
November 13th, 2009
Section: Blogs - The CSUN Footprint

Photo by reubeniz via Flickr

Photo by reubeniz via Flickr

Every year we seem to forget about the holidays that do not drive us to shell out the big bucks. This year we seem to have skipped over Thanksgiving, again.

What many have not forgotten is Black Friday and Christmas. Malls all around are already advertising their enticing sales prices for the day after Thanksgiving and the red and green Christmas decorations are up.

I often wonder if we are aware that every purchase we make has an impact on this earth. Do we stop to think where all this stuff goes after it momentarily brings us joy?

Check out The Story of Stuff to find out more where our trash goes and plan to be apart of Buy Nothing Day on November 27th.

Buy Nothing Day is organized every year to protest mass consumerism and is observed by social activist around the world.

The first Buy Nothing Day was organized by artist Ted Dave in Vancouver, Canada then in 1997, it was moved to the Friday after Thanksgiving, which is one of the top 10 busiest shopping days in the US.

Keep in mind that one day of abstinence will not make a difference — every time you get ready to make a purchase ask yourself if you really need it.

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  • http://www.topjuveniledefender.com George Kita

    There is also a Buy Nothing Day hike: Rather than celebrating consumerism by shopping, participants celebrate the earth and nature.

  • Kyle Greggory

    I tend to agree with Myke. I think a Buy Nothing Day is the last thing this economy needs right now. If we want to help the earth, we might consider a Buy Smart Day or something–supporting consumerism of those things which will have a minimal detrimental impact on our planet (e.g., recyclable products or products made with recycled materials, etc). That way we can help the earth, and the cash can still flow.

  • http://www.completelocksmith.com Myke Locksmith

    I try to make every day Buy Nothing Day whenever I can, but I think if everyone really did buy nothing for one whole day, it would deal a detrimental blow to our economy which we can’t really afford right now. There are better ways to reduce your consumption throughout the year that will have a greater positive impact on cutting waste and over consumption.

  • http://pr0.acleverdisguise.org/index.php?dir=/music Kevin Tran

    wasn’t there a “no gas day” that ended up with most people buying a massive load of gas the day before? seems a bit fruitless.

    • Blair Johnson

      The way for a “no gas day” to work is for everyone to carpool or not drive for a couple of days that week. That way there really would be a dip in consumption.

  • Blair Johnson

    Buy Nothing Day 2009 in the US is November 27th, not the 28th. It is on other days in other countries because they do not observe Thanksgiving like the US does.

    • http://www.tshirtsgonewild.net Vincent

      If we just sit back and take a look at what we lost in family, we would be able to see what we need for the future.