When did Black Friday even become a Thing?! Yuck. The UK Buy Nothing Day website describes it this way:
The anarchy that ensues on Black Friday has now become an absurd dystopian phenomenon. The big retailers use the event to spin out highly competitive one day offers, which often creates a rabid free for all. Black Friday is creating a brand of shoppers who will trample and fight each other to get their hands on next years landfill.
Why not escape the shopocalypse and buy nothing this Friday?
The Story of Stuff Project has a pledge you can sign here. This is the pledge:
“This year I pledge to join people around the world in celebrating “Buy Nothing Day” on November 27th. I will say no to more Stuff and yes to loved ones, yes to sharing, yes to life!”
If you’re really committed, you might even consider going 200 days without buying anything new like this lady who was prompted to undertake this after the death of her father – her story is well worth reading.
And if you’re stuck for ideas of what to do, here’s a little embroidery I did a few years back for Buy Nothing Day:
Enjoy!
Live. Grow. Nourish. Create. 
Love this Viv!
I had a rather interesting experience on Monday after a day out in Bath for my Birthday. I don’t go shopping so to speak of and it’s been a long time since I stepped foot into a Debenhams. I had some vouchers to spend though. I actually felt overwhelmed by all the stuff and suddenly could feel the desire to buy buy buy but and when I got home I felt rather unhappy because I don’t have the money to buy. It buy! I’m not earning very much being self employed and suddenly felt like I was worthless. I didn’t sleep well at all that night and now I’ve realised it was all brought on by feelings of the shopping trip!!!! I’m usually so happy at home with what I’m doing. It was quite a shock actually that I reacted like this and I’ve only just realised it was all down to that!!
Hope you’re well! Xx
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Thanks for sharing your experience Morwhenna – I think there are probably lots of people that can really relate to that feeling. Shops are so clever at making people want to buy, buy, buy and it’s so hard to resist feeling overwhelmed by it. Like you, I am on a
low income (as a choice to a degree thanks to home educating!) and most of the time I am very satisfied with my life and the things I have but our society is very geared up to make us feel inadequate and worthless if we don’t have the right *things*. Thanks for a very thoughtful and thought-provoking comment. Hugs ((()))
I’m with you on that one! It’s just madness, followed by Boxing day sales which used to be a holiday, if I had my way it would be again. Do people not realise the shop workers on xmas eve are exhausted and have to get everything ready for the boxing day sale working late or doing the night shift? No need at all. Great article, may I reblog it?
I’m glad you are joining me! I agree re Boxing Day sales too. It’s madness that the shops are only shut for one day a year and then the frenzy starts all over again. At least we used to manage to hold on until the “January” sales! Yes, please do reblog.
Thanks! Signed the pledge too – even though there is a quilting sale online, I will resist!
Reblogged this on thecraftyyak and commented:
This is an excellent article about the madness that seems to descend on normal people at the mention of the word sale. It has got out of hand so please pledge NOT to buy on black Friday. Spend time, not money, with friends, family, nature, or your cat!
I stand with you!! I’ll be making gingerbread houses on Friday. 😻
That sounds fun! I haven’t made a gingerbread house for years.
I proudly say I have never gone shopping on ‘Black Friday ‘ and I hate the name, too. This year I’ll be doing a cyber sew-in with my treadles group!
A cyber sew-in sounds much more fun than a shopping frenzy!
Love that sentiment. I had already stated that I was not buying anything.
That’s good to hear Donna x
Funnily enough if it weren’t for the internet I don’t think I’d even remember it was Black Friday. I hate shops so not joining in is easy. I was really interested in the link to the woman who stopped for 200 days, thank you.
I hate shopping too! Glad you liked the link – I found her story very inspiring and have signed up for her newsletter.
I suggest you get hold of a copy of the book “Jennifer Government” by Max Barry. Not by buying it obviously 😉 Nor by stealing it of course. 😉 Friends? Charity shops? (Patronising charity shops is not really “buying” is it?) Once you start reading it I’m sure you will soon understand why I recommended it.
Meantime let me say I applaud this post of yours.
It sounds like a good read. Unfortunately my county library service doesn’t have a copy but I will look out for it 🙂
Please do. 🙂