How to Observe Buy Nothing Day

Most of us have heard of Black Friday, which is the day after American thanksgiving. Stores open early in the morning, and people take the day off work to line up at the door for hours to get at the good deals. While this started as an American thing, we in Canada have adopted “Black Friday” too. The need for discounted items has been taken too far, to the point that there have been reports of violence between shoppers on Black Friday. How crazy is that? What has our world come to that we are willing to hurt one another just for stuff?

I urge you then, instead of participating in Black Friday on November 29, to participate in Buy Nothing Day. Buy Nothing Day is an international day of protest against consumerism. It is a day for us to examine the issue of overconsumption in our society. The discount deals of Black Friday encourage consumers to buy things they don’t need, and this overproduction of materials contributes to climate change amongst many other issues.

To help you observe Buy Nothing Day, here are some ideas of things to do, other than shop, on November 29th:

1. Hang out with friends. Get your friends to bring movies and board games, or go to your local library and borrow some if you don’t have any!
2. Bake something. Don’t go out to the shops and buy something though, look at what you have in your pantry and fridge! This is a great way to use up the ingredients you already have. If you do need something, ask a friend or neighbor if you can borrow some!
3. Get outside. Take this day to explore some parks in your area, or take a stroll in Edmonton’s River Valley. Winter can be cold, but it’s beautiful! Bundle up and get some fresh air!
4. Read something. Take a break from your school work, and read something for the enjoyment of it! Start a new book or finish your current one, read your favorite blog or magazine! The options are endless.
5. Donate something. Even better than not buying something, give something away! Go through your closet and gather together items you no longer need, use, or love. Take them to a local organization, like the Mustard Seed, or a thrift store!

I encourage you to practice Buy Nothing Day on November 29th, and take a personal stand against consumerism. I understand it is only one day, but this is the day that retailers are counting their customers and celebrating how much stuff they sell. I am choosing to opt out of this, and I invite you to do the same!

Enjoy Buy Nothing Day!
Kaleigh