Take the $ out of Christma$
Buy Nothing Day is a day when
people make a conscious effort to
buy absolutely nothing, instead
reusing, recycling and getting creative
to give the environment and
their wallet a break for a day.
Vancouver artist Ted Dave started BND in September 1992, and it was later promoted by Adbusters magazine. Five years after its creation, the day was moved to Black Friday, the Friday after the American Thanksgiving, which is one of the busiest shopping days in the United States. This year, the North American Buy Nothing Day takes place on November 25 and the International Buy Nothing Day taking place the following day.
BND has been going strong for nearly 20 years, and this year, it's going for something bigger and better than you've ever seen before: Buy Nothing Christmas.
This year, the people behind the idea of BND are asking you to think about Christmas, and the consumerism that goes along with it, in the same manner as Buy Nothing Day. BND is challenging everyone to "gather together your loved ones and decide to do things differently. With the simplest of plans you can create a new rhythm, purpose and meaning for the holidays. Why not take the spirit of Buy Nothing Day and morph it into Buy Nothing Christmas?" (from adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd.)
The people behind BND realize that the thought of buying absolutely nothing for Christmas may seem intimidating to some and add, "If that's too extreme for Grandma and the kids, try for a Buy Less Christmas. And maybe a buy local, buy fairer, buy indie Christmas. Whatever you decide, 'tis the season to reclaim our yearend celebrations and make them our own again."
If you feel like taking things one step further, BND suggests the following actions:
- Give your friends and family a "gift exemption" card
- Ask shoppers "What Would Jesus Buy?"
- Get some friends together (or go solo), dress as Santa and meditate in the middle of a busy shopping mall
- Check out buynothingchristmas.org for more actions (or inactions) you can take this holiday season
This year, make an effort to buy less, downplay the role of material gifts and put the emphasis on what matters the most during this holiday season: spending time with your loved ones.
For more information on Buy Nothing Christmas, visit adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd.
Vancouver artist Ted Dave started BND in September 1992, and it was later promoted by Adbusters magazine. Five years after its creation, the day was moved to Black Friday, the Friday after the American Thanksgiving, which is one of the busiest shopping days in the United States. This year, the North American Buy Nothing Day takes place on November 25 and the International Buy Nothing Day taking place the following day.
BND has been going strong for nearly 20 years, and this year, it's going for something bigger and better than you've ever seen before: Buy Nothing Christmas.
This year, the people behind the idea of BND are asking you to think about Christmas, and the consumerism that goes along with it, in the same manner as Buy Nothing Day. BND is challenging everyone to "gather together your loved ones and decide to do things differently. With the simplest of plans you can create a new rhythm, purpose and meaning for the holidays. Why not take the spirit of Buy Nothing Day and morph it into Buy Nothing Christmas?" (from adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd.)
The people behind BND realize that the thought of buying absolutely nothing for Christmas may seem intimidating to some and add, "If that's too extreme for Grandma and the kids, try for a Buy Less Christmas. And maybe a buy local, buy fairer, buy indie Christmas. Whatever you decide, 'tis the season to reclaim our yearend celebrations and make them our own again."
If you feel like taking things one step further, BND suggests the following actions:
- Give your friends and family a "gift exemption" card
- Ask shoppers "What Would Jesus Buy?"
- Get some friends together (or go solo), dress as Santa and meditate in the middle of a busy shopping mall
- Check out buynothingchristmas.org for more actions (or inactions) you can take this holiday season
This year, make an effort to buy less, downplay the role of material gifts and put the emphasis on what matters the most during this holiday season: spending time with your loved ones.
For more information on Buy Nothing Christmas, visit adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd.
