I recently came across the term Buy Nothing Day in contrast to "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday" which is a theme for a day promoted by folks discouraging the excessive Christmas spending around Thanksgiving. In the USA, Buy Nothing Day is the Friday after Thanksgiving. In Canada and elsewhere in the world it is Saturday. I would love to know if others have ever heard of the "day." One of the suggestions for a visible protest is gathering about 10-12 of your friends, each grab a shopping cart, and make a conga line going throughout the store--certainly sounds like something the security folks would go ape over and likely get you kicked out of the store--anybody up for it? We could go to the stores where Jim and Nancy and Allison and Sarah go at 5:00 am on Friday??

Below is a video clip of a trailer for "Manufactured Landscapes." I am not familiar with the movie, (let me know if you are) but it refers to how humankind has altered our world with consumerism and production of "junk."

Now, I know that I am not one to have been very conscious of all the stuff I buy (and I still have hungers to buy more "stuff")... so maybe I am preaching to myself. Something to think about. I know that sometimes in the past, I have been anxious to get out on Black Friday, although many times, it is just to grab a hot "gift" or maybe a hot "cinnamon roll."

With the economy in dire straits, and our own personal finances fully committed for school and other kids expenses, we are certainly exploring different options for Christmas--share with me if you have any thoughtful ideas!!