The forgotten 'secret city'
Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become synonymous with holiday shopping madness, with millions of people flocking to stores and websites to snag the best deals. But amid the chaos of consumerism, there's a growing movement advocating for a different approach: Buy Nothing Day.
This global event encourages people to take a break from shopping and reflect on the impact of excessive consumerism.
Can you resist the lure of seemingly unmissable deals and the constant notifications urging you to buy? Click through this gallery to discover tips from the anti-Black Friday movement for a more conscious and peaceful holiday season.
Black Friday sales became common across the United States in the early 1990s. By the mid-2000s, online shopping was gaining popularity. In 2008, online shoppers reportedly spent U$534 million on Black Friday.
As the movement organizers suggest, "Keep the credit card holstered. Keep your cash in your jeans. Don't buy. Just breathe." Other experts recommend taking this opportunity to declutter your finances by getting rid of old credit cards or canceling excess ones.
In response to excessive consumerism, Buy Nothing Day was conceived by Canadian artist Ted Dave in 1992. This anti-shopping campaign gained traction after being adopted by the non-profit magazine, Adbusters.
According to the official Adbusters website, Buy Nothing Day encourages consumers to reevaluate their spending habits and consider the issue of overconsumption.
These shopping events begin with the well-known Black Friday and Cyber Monday in November and continue through Green Monday, the second Monday of December.
They also issue a poignant reminder: "The urge to buy isn't actually coming from inside you. It's code laid down by every ad, email, commercial, and celebrity you've ever encountered."
Despite competing with established holidays, the movement is gaining momentum. Recent protests against Amazon and discussions about banning Black Friday in Europe highlight growing concerns about consumerism's environmental impact. For those seeking an alternative, Buy Nothing Day offers a way to opt out of the shopping frenzy.
Sources: (Britannica) (Investopedia) (BetterHelp) (Adbusters) (Gorgias Blog) (Synergetic Press) (Air Quality News)
While loved by many, including retailers and consumers seeking great deals, the rampant consumerism triggered by these shopping events has led people to consider the negative impacts.
While some groups organize full-scale anti-consumerism protests to raise awareness about the negative impacts of overspending, the event creators also suggest organizing alternative group activities that don't involve spending, such as a "buy nothing stroll."
Eager shoppers can lead to long lines and crowds. In the US, during peak Black Friday shopping times, people may spend hours, or even camp out overnight, waiting in line just to enter a store and snag the best deals.
People often overspend during these events, buying things they wouldn't normally. The sense of urgency created by limited-time offers and "too-good-to-be-true" deals, carefully crafted by marketers, encourages overbuying.
While the exact origin is uncertain, the term "Black Friday" likely emerged in the 1950s. Philadelphia police officers began using this term to describe the chaotic shopping crowds and traffic jams that occurred the day after Thanksgiving.
Cyber Monday emerged around the same time. It took off after Shop.org noticed a surge in online sales, a 77% increase, on the Monday following Black Friday weekend.
The carbon footprint of online shopping is significant. In 2023, UK Black Friday purchases alone released approximately 440,924 tons (400,000 tonnes) of CO2. In 2024, the figure is expected to rise by an additional 33,069 tons (30,000 tonnes).
The holiday shopping season is a great time for retailers. People often spend more money on gifts and other items due to the festive spirit. However, businesses are always looking for ways to increase their profits.
While less well-known than other retail holidays, Green Monday remains a busy shopping day. It's the day many shoppers rush to buy last-minute gifts and take advantage of deals.
In recent years, stores have responded by offering online sales and extending Black Friday deals to last throughout the week.
Major US retailers like Walmart and Amazon combined Black Friday and Cyber Monday into a single shopping weekend. Retailers have since created spin-offs, like Small Business Saturday, and extended the sales period to "Black November."
Green Monday falls on the second Monday of December. The term was reportedly coined by eBay to describe the surge in last-minute online shopping.
While initiatives like Small Business Saturday help, smaller, locally-owned shops often can't match the discounts offered by large chains. In times of economic hardship, and with wealth increasingly concentrated among billionaires, many people are turning to local and community shopping.
Some retailers inflate prices in the weeks leading up to these events, promising the best deals of the year. This is a common misconception. While average prices may be lower, specific items might be cheaper at other times. Ultimately, pricing depends on factors like supply, demand, and local regulations.
Financial experts and environmentalists encourage consumers to shop "smaller, slower and smarter," rather than impulsively following trends. This shift in mindset can help mitigate the negative consequences of hasty shopping.
Consider alternative gift ideas for the holidays such as handmade gifts using inexpensive materials or handwritten letters.
Adbusters also recommends spending time outdoors, connecting with nature, and appreciating the simple pleasure of being away from screens and crowded malls.
Instead of focusing on spending, repurposing the holiday season can allow for more quality time with loved ones, which is arguably the true highlight of the holidays.
Buy Nothing Day: the anti-Black Friday movement
How to resist the rush and challenge consumerism
LIFESTYLE Shopping
Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become synonymous with holiday shopping madness, with millions of people flocking to stores and websites to snag the best deals. But amid the chaos of consumerism, there's a growing movement advocating for a different approach: Buy Nothing Day.
This global event encourages people to take a break from shopping and reflect on the impact of excessive consumerism.
Can you resist the lure of seemingly unmissable deals and the constant notifications urging you to buy? Click through this gallery to discover tips from the anti-Black Friday movement for a more conscious and peaceful holiday season.