What do the holidays mean to you? Take a second to close your eyes and picture the holiday season. What do you see? Maybe hearty dinners, holiday parties, or quality time with family and friends. Our most cherished holiday memories come from enjoying what we have with those we love.
Unfortunately, large corporations are telling their own holiday stories, ones in which we express our love not by doing stuff with our families, but by buying Stuff for them. The holidays aren’t about friends dropping in, but shopping ‘til you drop.
Of course we can buy gifts for those we love! But we can’t allow consumerism to take over the holidays. That's why we are inviting you to join us in celebrating Buy Nothing Day, an international holiday dedicated to resisting consumerism. What's more, we're challenging you to dedicate your day to making change in your community!
We want to get back to the original stories of the holidays: spending time with loved ones and counting the blessings you have, not the Stuff that you want. Prioritize doing something instead of buying something. Here are a few ideas for better ways to spend your time than shopping:
Buy Nothing:
- Write personalized holiday messages for those closest to you
- Invite friends over for a home-cooked meal and games
- Go outside and spend time in the natural world
- Read that new book you’ve been meaning to start
Do Something:
- Conduct a Brand Audit in your community
- Organize a crafting party to make your own gifts – check out these ideas from our friends at MAKESMTHNG.org
- Host a letter-writing event to contact your representatives about the issues that matter to you
- Contribute to The Story of Stuff Project or another organization doing good work
Together, we help reclaim the holidays as a time to rest and to strengthen our social bonds. If we each do our part, then together we can tell a better story. We can generate cherished memories instead of contributing to stress and crowded malls. We can celebrate the true meaning of the holidays. Are you ready to join us?
