Buy Nothing Day, version 2008

by Michelle Lasley

Michelle Lasley is a mother, wife in Pacific Northwest learning to balance green dreams with budget realities.

November 21, 2008

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Categories: Family

Last year we saw tips on how to budget shop like a pro.  In light of recent economic trends, when people have a more immediate need to watch their spending, let’s try any number of these alternatives on Black Friday while we switch the paradigm to Buy Nothing Day.

  1. Don’t go shopping, for anything
  2. Stay at home, relax
  3. Play with your kids, spouse/partner, friends
  4. Play board games
  5. Call up that friend you’ve been meaning to call during the holiday season now
  6. Make cookies, decorate with your family
  7. Enjoy hot cider
  8. Sit by a fire
  9. Sing carols
  10. Volunteer (soup kitchens, your favorite organization, neighborhood groups, churches, schools)
  11. Make Christmas wreaths with your friends
  12. Make Christmas cards and ornaments
  13. Decorate your Christmas Tree in a timely (not early) fashion with said homemade ornaments

Let’s use this year’s economic cautions as a reminder for what really counts at the holidays: Loved Ones, not Stuff.

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