Buy Nothing Day 2007

asheville | anti-globalization/relocalization | feature

Sunday November 25, 2007 19:13

by The Warrior Princess - Consumption Awareness Brigade

Celebration brings hope for a life without over-consumption!

Aunt Pam, Little Sam, and Crazy Tam

FROM THE NEWSWIRE: In the early hours of the afternoon on November 23rd, life erupted with creativity as people gathered to commence Asheville's Buy Nothing Day. The holiday, which occurs annually on one of the biggest shopping days of the year, the day after Thanksgiving, encourages people to abstain from consumer spending for one 24-hour period and contemplate the costs of over-consumption and living in a society that bases happiness and wealth on the amount of goods a person can accumulate.

The Buy Nothing Day celebration in Asheville was three-fold. To start off with, three merry characters named Aunt Pam, Little Sam, and Crazy Tam made an appearance at Asheville's Wal-Mart in an attempt to bring greater consumer awareness and joy to shoppers. Armed with shopping carts and big smiles, the three paraded in conga-line fashion throughout the store talking cheerily about the happiness that comes with making gifts for people from everyday household items. Passing through all sections of the store, Aunt Pam, Little Sam, and Crazy Tam read books in the toy department, contemplated gardens and packaging in the grocery area, and became lost in the paint section, all without putting anything in their carts to buy. Aunt Pam held the back of the conga line up with her sunny disposition and grand ideas for a revolution of the heart. From front to back of the non-shopping brigade, the backs of the three character's shirts read "Love More", "Live More", and "Buy Less." Many smiles were exchanged between passersby and the three clowns, and it must be noted that employees wore the biggest smiles of all.

After twenty minutes of buying nothing, the three decided they were done with not shopping and that it was time to join their friends in Pritchard Park for a celebration. After leaving leaflets explaining Buy Nothing Day and their celebration on cars in the area, the three proceeded to the park and met with fellow clowns and conspirators for a jolly time complete with sidewalk chalk, picnic blankets, stilt-walking, art, drama, and music. As the party wore on, weary shoppers old and young joined in the celebration and reflected on the possibility of life unfocused on consumer spending. Announced a success, the clowns eventually became tired and packed their noses up for next time.

Merriment in Pritchard Park