Buy Nothing Day
Buy Nothing Day on November 23rd is an international day started by social activists who wanted to raise awareness about consumerism (how we buy things), and encourage people to make informed choices and how and why they buy anything. It usually takes place the Friday following Thanksgiving. Find out more about Buy Nothing Day!
How and Why
Buy Nothing Day was started in Vancouver, British Columbia by artist Ted Dave and promoted by Adbusters, a magazine that encourages people to question advertising, and how you buy things - such as whether it’s truly useful and essential, whether the product kind to the environment, and are the company’s workers treated and paid fairly. The first international Buy Nothing Day took place in Mexico in 1992.
Ted Dave, Adbusters and many other social activists noticed that in our society it has become increasingly difficult to take a day off from buying things, and wanted to encourage people to give themselves (and their wallets) a break from our consumer culture. In the midst of the lead up to holiday spending, it might be a relief to take a day off from buying things and reflect on why we spend, how to spend and things that are important in life that have nothing to do with spending money!
When
In North America Buy Nothing Day takes place the Friday after American Thanksgiving, which this year (2012) lands on November 23rd, internationally it is celebrated on the last Saturday of November, November 24th this year.
What You Can Do
If you want to get involved with Buy Nothing Day, it’s a simple as...not buying anything! Approach your parents, teachers and classmates about what you’re doing. It could be fun and interesting to start a class or family discussion about what kinds of things we buy every day and why, and also to have other people take part in the holiday with you!
Have Your Say
Will you participate in Buy Nothing Day? Let us know in the comments section below.
Like Us
Tweet Us
Watch Us
Add Us