Buy Nothing Day – Friday 27th November

As we are exposed to different celebrations around the world, we have found ourselves joining in with them. One of the most recent of these is Black Friday (I wondered why it was called Black Friday, but after seeing what happens, I think it is called that after the bruises that you end up with when you take part in it!). Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving in America. It is a day where many ‘big’ shops offer massive discounts to keep people spending before Christmas.

Black Friday seems to bring about a shopping frenzy, with people often fighting over things that they do not actually need. This has become even worse with sales on the internet. People find themselves rushing to buy lots of things they don’t need, and wouldn’t usually buy, just because it is in the sale – Black Friday feeds on the feeling that we cannot miss out on a ‘bargain’. And most of what we buy on Black Friday ends up making up next year’s landfill.

What we can do instead of Black Friday

Buy Nothing Day challenges Black Friday. It argues that instead of joining the crowd and being bullied into buying ‘next year’s landfill’, you should have a day off shopping and instead enjoy life. Avoid the stress of trying to be the first to get to the bargains, and take the opportunity to do something better. The challenge is this – spend a day without spending, detox from buying stuff for 24 hours (apart from food and necessary goods). Obviously there may be things that you do really need buy, if this is the case then try and buy from a local, independent business (that cannot afford to be a part of Black Friday).

Instead of taking part in the Black Friday sale you could instead:

• Stay at home and read a good book (to get extra brownie points, read a book that you borrowed from your local library or pop by the High Street Hub and swap a book at Greener Kirkcaldy’s book swap).
• Spend time with your friends and family.
• Walk you dog, your cat, or even just yourself.
• If you are a photographer like myself, get out and take some pictures (inside if you are unable to get out).

If you want to do something more proactive, then spread the word about Buy Nothing Day through social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc).

Whatever you do on the day, add #BuyNothingDay when you share your days activities.

And this shouldn’t just stop with one day. Try spending less and living more from now on. We’ve got lots of repair and reuse events, including computer fix-its, swaps and sewing classes coming up in January to help you do this.

We’d love to hear about what you did on Buy Nothing Day. You can share your activities on the Greener Kirkcaldy Facebook page

As for myself, I will be spending my Buy Nothing Day enjoying life with my family and friends at my brothers wedding.