Buy Nothing Day?
Make Local Habit, 23.11.2009 01:35
Buy Nothing Day (Friday, November 27th) is upon us again. Once again people are going to be out in large numbers, way too early in the morning the day after Thanksgiving just to get a deal. Is it really worth it?
The concept of “Buy Nothing Day” is lost on us so instead I propose the people make it “Buy Local Day”. Ideally we would fold that dollar back up and put it back in our wallets, but most of us know that will not happen. I say if we are going to spend money should it not be on something that will create a lasting effect for our local economy and money that will stay within our communities.
Instead of getting up early to get that early morning deal sleep in a little and have a leisurely breakfast. By about the time you are done the local stores will be about to open and the craft fairs beginning. The day after Thanksgiving there are many craft and art fairs in the Rogue Valley that have many fun gifts made by local people. Here in Ashland there are at least four art fairs that I can think of. We also have some great local stores in Ashland, Medford, Grants Pass and Jacksonville. Then when you need to take a break and sit for few minutes instead of stopping at McDonalds or Starbucks how about supporting you local coffee house or restaurant.
There maybe those people who are reading this that are thinking “I can’t afford to buy from the craft fairs and local stores they are too expensive. I have too many gifts to buy!” My response is “You pay now or you pay later” or “Do you really need to buy that many gifts?” The price it costs us as a society is far greater in the long run for those items bought on sale at a large big box store. You will pay a far greater cost for that savings in the long term. Even if that item you bought at a local store is from China you are still keeping much more money in the local economy. This may sound kind of “preachy” but these are the same type of questions and statements that were passed down to me that made me question if it was worth it to stand in those long lines the day after Thanksgiving to get a great deal.
On an end note, Hemporium in Ashland has decided for the second year in a row to honor “Buy Nothing Day” and will not open its doors the day after Thanksgiving. Go by and thank them for not falling into the consumerism trap of “Black Friday”.
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good idea 26.11.2009 - 22:05 typo: questions and statements that were past down to me ---> passed Thanks for pointing out that even if it is made in China it is still better to buy it locally. I havent seen any action on Nov.27 in my area, but at least 3 other activist events are going on that day/night so maybe people won't shop til they drop. krishna>  Homepage:: http://
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