Buy Nothing Day

Today was Buy Nothing Day. The idea is to protest the grotesque displays of consumerism that surround the biggest holiday shopping day of the year. I’ve never been much into holiday shopping, what I will do instead is usually do a donation in someone’s name to the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy or other conservation-minded organization as a holiday gift.

I am not against Black Friday per se. I did take advantage of the holiday to get some deals on my most recent laptop, which I use for work and play. But I ordered it online, and picked it up on the Black Friday at an off-hour, not waiting in line. I think it’s a good day to buy things if you have been planning to get them, regardless of the sales. Most sales are pretty silly to get you in the store, but it’s a not bad thing to save a little money.

I do think frivolous consumption is a terrible waste of resources. Gifting always seems a bit off – maybe it’s a nice gesture – but people rarely are happy with the gifts they get for long. Supporting conservation is a much better gift, as it’s something that people can enjoy for generations to come. Honestly, I don’t like anything that comes in wrapping paper or is over-packaged, I have enough “stuff”, I don’t need any more.