Buy Nothing Day 2011

To most of us, today is known as Black Friday, one of the busiest shopping days in the United States and fast becoming a busy day in Canada. Coincidentally, today is also Buy Nothing Day. An international day of protest against consumerism observed by social activists that started right here in Vancouver. It was founded by artist Ted Dave and then promoted by Adbusters magazine, the same organization behind the Occupy Wall Street movement.

A little history on BND via Wikipedia.
The first Buy Nothing Day was organized in Mexico in September 1992 “as a day for society to examine the issue of over-consumption.”[2] In 1997, it was moved to the Friday after American Thanksgiving, also called “Black Friday”, which is one of the 10 busiest shopping days in the United States. Outside North America and Israel,Buy Nothing Day is the following Saturday. Adbusters was denied advertising time by almost all major television networks except for CNN, which was the only one to air their ads. Soon, campaigns started appearing in the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, Austria, Germany, New Zealand, Japan, the Netherlands, France, and Norway. Participation now includes more than 65 nations.

So instead of occupying malls today, stay at home and spend time with friends and family. Alternatively, take the time to to create something yourself. A little DIY is good for the soul.

Image: Chris via Adbusters