Buy Nothing Day facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Buy Nothing Day |
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A protest for Buy Nothing Day in San Francisco, November 2000
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| Type | Cultural |
| Significance | Protest against consumerism |
| Date | Day after U.S. Thanksgiving |
| 2024 date | November 29 |
| 2025 date | November 28 |
| 2026 date | November 27 |
| 2027 date | November 26 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| First time | September 1992 |
| Related to | Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Green Monday, Small Business Saturday, Giving Tuesday, Thanksgiving |
Buy Nothing Day is an international day of protest. It encourages people to stop shopping for one day. This day is a way to speak out against consumerism. Consumerism is when people buy too many things, often more than they need.
In North America, the United Kingdom, Finland, and Sweden, Buy Nothing Day happens the day after U.S. Thanksgiving. This is the same day as Black Friday, a very busy shopping day. In other parts of the world, it is held on the last Saturday of November.
Artist Ted Dave started Buy Nothing Day in Vancouver, Canada. Later, a group called Adbusters helped make it popular.
The first Buy Nothing Day was in Canada in September 1992. It was a day for people to think about buying too much. In 1997, the date changed to the Friday after American Thanksgiving. This day is known as "Black Friday" and is one of the busiest shopping days in the United States.
In 2000, Adbusters tried to show ads for Buy Nothing Day on TV. Most major TV networks refused to air them, except for CNN. Soon, the idea spread to many countries. These included the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and France.
What People Do on Buy Nothing Day
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People use different ways to protest on Buy Nothing Day. They want to show how much we buy. Here are some activities:
- Credit Card Cut-up: People stand in shopping areas with scissors. They offer to help others cut up their credit cards. This helps people stop spending and get out of debt.
- Free Street Parties: These are parties held in public places. They do not involve buying or selling anything.
- Sit-ins: People sit together in a public place to protest peacefully.
- Zombie Walk: Participants walk around shopping malls like "zombies." They have blank stares and don't buy anything. If asked, they explain Buy Nothing Day.
- Whirl-Mart: People silently push empty shopping carts in a long line around a store. They don't put anything in the carts or buy anything.
- Public Protests: People gather to show their disapproval of overspending.
- Wildcat General Strike: In 2009, some people tried this. They not only avoided buying things for 24 hours. They also turned off lights, TVs, computers, and phones. They kept their cars parked from sunrise to sunset.
- Buy Nothing Day Hike: Instead of shopping, people go for a hike. They enjoy nature and the Earth.
- Buy Nothing + Critical Mass: In some cities, bicycle rides happen on or near this day. Riders celebrate Buy Nothing Day during their ride.
- Buy Nothing Day Paddle: In San Francisco, people kayak along the waterfront. This area is known for lots of shopping.
- Buy Nothing Coat Exchange: People collect winter coats in November. On Buy Nothing Day, they bring them to different locations. Anyone who needs a coat can take one or exchange one. This started in Providence, Rhode Island. Similar events happen in Kentucky, Utah, and Oregon.
Buy Nothing Christmas
The idea of "Buy Nothing Christmas" started in 1968. Ellie Clark and her family decided not to focus on the commercial parts of Christmas. Later, a movement grew to extend Buy Nothing Day through the whole Christmas season.
In 2001, a group of Canadian Mennonites made a website. They officially named the movement "Buy Nothing Christmas." In 2011, Adbusters renamed it "Occupy Xmas." This name was a nod to the Occupy movement.
Lauren Bercovitch from Adbusters supported "Occupy Xmas." She suggested simple actions like buying from local stores. She also encouraged making Christmas presents instead of buying them. The idea is to start with Buy Nothing Day. Then, continue supporting local businesses and family throughout the holiday season.
Images for kids
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A robot illustration
