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40 °F 5 Day Forecast Tuesday, December 9, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend November 28, 2003 Buy Nothing Day: a worldwide movement By PAUL FATTIG Mail Tribune Debra Harrison knows precisely what she’ll buy today, traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Not a thing. Zilch. The Ashland resident won’t be stocking up on socks — even if they’re 50 percent off while they last. She won’t be pushing and shoving to grab those discounted purple plaid pajamas, not even if Uncle Fred’s jammies are threadbare. And she definitely won’t be going to battle over the latest blood-spraying violent video game, even if it’s the last one standing on the shelf. "I won’t be going into a store at all — I won’t be buying anything in restaurants," she said. "I won’t be going to movies. I won’t be spending any money. Advertisement "I’ll be enjoying life in all the ways that don’t involve money," she added. For Harrison and many of her friends, today is Buy Nothing Day. While the Friday after Thanksgiving has become an annual feeding frenzy for many Americans, the non-buyers won’t spend one thin dime. They have had it up to here with what they perceive as the impersonal commercialization of the holiday season. Better to spend time, not money, on family and friends, they say. Since it began in Oregon and Washington 12 years ago as a campaign to offer an alternative to consumerism, Buy Nothing Day has grown into a worldwide movement. Buy Nothing Day now has fans overseas, albeit participants in Europe will practice their non-participant purchasing on Saturday. Organizers are asking participants to take a break from shopping for one day, both as personal and social statements. They note that developed countries represent only 20 percent of the global population yet consume over 80 percent of the earth’s natural resources, creating a disproportionate level of environmental damage and unfair distribution of wealth. Many Americans, although not all, have much more than they could ever possibly need, Harrison will tell you. "This is really a reverse reaction to the consumerism thing that we’ve gotten into," explained Harrison, 53, a massage therapist. "As a culture, we’ve gotten so much into buying and spending. "Buying nothing for a day is also a great spiritual practice in that it helps bring awareness into the other meanings behind the holidays," she added. Those meanings include gratitude for what we have, and celebration of family and friendships, she added. "This takes the focus off spending for a day," she said. "It really helps you create some perspective on what is important in life." That doesn’t mean people should refrain from giving gifts during the holidays, she said. She and others will be participating in the second annual Abundance Swap, an event for like-minded folks who give "fun, useful, interesting or beautiful" items to someone important in their lives. Although low-key this year, the swap, scheduled for early December, is expected to be open to the public next year, she said. The swap reflects the same spirit as Buy Nothing Day, she said. "I enjoy giving gifts but I think our society has been over-reacting to shopping," she said. "There are alternative ways to share in the holidays without spending anew." For more information visit www.buynothingday.co.uk/bndfaq.html on the Web. Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times