Buy Nothing Day: The Antidote to Black Friday
I'm still reeling that people have started their Black Friday planning. In a time of recessionista-power, it seems wild that people still approach shopping as a competitive sport. Sure, everyone loves getting holiday gifts, but some of the more conspicuous consumption -- like the near riots that have happened in the past -- just seems wrong.
Turns out I'm late to the game when it comes to thinking that Black Friday has gotten out of hand. The "Buy Nothing Day" movement, which bills itself as the "antidote to Black Friday" has been around since 1992!
According to Wikipedia, the first "Buy Nothing Day" took place in Vancouver as a way to protest rampant consumerism. Anti-consumerism magazine and media non-profit group Adbusters took up the cause, and has been promoting it all over the world ever since.
In 1997 the day of observation was officially moved to Black Friday in the U.S. and on the following Saturday in the other 65 countries that participate in it.
Critics of "Buy Nothing Day" say that it's a meaningless gesture, and people will just buy the same amount of stuff the following day. (And miss the sales!) But I wonder if it will be even more controversial this year, when the economy is still fragile and so many small enterprises are counting on holiday shoppers to stay in business.
Which side are you on? Is shopping a patriotic gesture? Or is it time to shut down the culture of consumerism?
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amy3e,11-09-2009, 7:55AM
Black Friday may be one of the worst days to shop! There are great deals the week before and the weeks after and less crowds and no 5 am standing in line. The best way to shop is to get organized. There is a great article at www.celebrationideasonline.com with simple tips for holiday shopping. You can get great gifts and not blow through your budget.
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Lara,11-09-2009, 8:15AM
Gosh, I feel kind of silly actually adding a comment that pertains to the article, as opposed to an unpaid-for advertisement for garbage. That said, I think everyone should shop within their means, whatever that might be. But... consumerism had become epidemic and something needed to force us to pull back. Unfortunately what happened also affects some people's ability to live even a meager existence. It's a delicate balance between preserving one's own wealth and still participating in the economy that provides jobs. I don't have the answer.
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dwayne,11-09-2009, 9:44AM
Black Friday, Black Friday! It is ridiculous! People fighting over stuff!
Black-Friday-Only deals, "Please!" I would have to agree with most of you, when you state that most retail stores are killing our wallets with their high marked up prices. And all the hype about saving money on gifts the day after Thanksgiving (one day of the year) is crazy. We should be saving money on products all year long! And the site below does just that.
Most stores may be providing needed products at good prices; However, here's a company that may have them all beat when it comes to saving your hard earned money. Seeing is believing: http://www.loppricerollback.com
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Bunnie,11-09-2009, 10:32AM
I do ALL my shopping on line. No hassle, no crowds, and better selection than in the stores.
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ELLEN,11-09-2009, 10:53AM
QVC, HSN ,JTV ,YOU DO NOT EVEN HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR HOUSE. BILL TO SHIP TO. WHO THE HELL WANTS TO HAVE TO LOOK FOR A PARKING SPOT? AND THEN YOU CANNOT FIND YOUR CAR.AND DO YOU REALLY WANT TO STAND ON LINE IN A HOT DEPARTMENT STORE? AND DO YOU REALLY WANT TO SEARCH HI AND LOW FOR A TABLE AT THE FOOD COURT? OH PLEASE.YOU DO NOT.
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Beth,11-09-2009, 12:55PM
At least you could get the date right. It's Friday November 27th. And don't you care about economic recovery? Retailers depend on sales that day. You are hurting millions of people's jobs with your reckless message.
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C,11-09-2009, 1:17PM
I'm not going to go out at 5 am to buy something on Black Friday, but I'm going to read the advertisements and research if there is anything actually worth going out for that day, but even if I go it will be later in the day. I think the best thing to do is be prepared and budget for gifts so you don't buy a bunch of junk you don't need. Also, research prices so you know that you're actually getting a good deal. You're going to need to buy Christmas presents regardless, so I don't see what the big deal is with buying your gifts at retailers. I don't like buying gifts online because I like to see the items in person first and I don't like to pay for all the shipping.
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Sharon,11-09-2009, 2:49PM
Does anyone really need any more stuff? And what you get for gifts isn't necessarily anything you would pick out for yourself. Too often, we buy stuff so there is something to unwrap Christmas morning. It would be wonderful if everyone had the time, money and insight to get meaningful appropriate gifts for everyone but we all know the reality. I still have teenagers who expect their wish lists to be granted, but once you are an adult, can we please all just let it go!
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