25 Nov Forget Black Friday – Buy Less Stuff Guide

The holidays are officially upon us. Beyond the potential to get cozy this season with warm treats and lots of knitted and fleece clothing, I generally don't look forward to the shenanigans surrounding Christmas. This year (and last) Black Friday deals are extending into the Thursday before hand and I have decided that for me enough is enough. My loved ones and I have enough stuff. We are privileged to. This is still the season for giving though, so what to do? Buy nothing. It may be a lofty goal for some but below is a pretty simple guide to getting your loved ones what they want this holiday season, and avoiding the Black Friday madness.

If you have to buy:

Buy used.
Buy local.
Buy fair trade.
Or don't buy at all.

      Make it, swap for it, or give an experience instead.

The principle is one of "greener" consumption. If such a thing actually makes an impact is another blog post, but I digress. While my goal is to buy nothing, I know that some people have real needs (like a space heater, or a hot meal) and wants that family, friends, and neighbors can and probably want to help with. It requires a shift in holiday gift giving. It requires you to ask first, and then finding alternatives to the normal big box solution. Most of you reading this might already do this, but for those that don't I want to extend a hand of encouragement, not judgment or condemnation. You aren't doing anything "right" or "wrong," but I do feel like a world without black Friday sales would be a better place.

If you can't figure out a way to make it, swap or trade your stuff for it, or skip the stuff and give an experience (food counts), then follow the hierarchy to buy it without the madness of making low wage workers skip their holiday with family, getting trampled or fighting over the same old child labor produced plastic, nor the stress of spending too much yet again. Your loved ones would probably rather you didn't get them anything than to get hurt or overly stressed. And, as I have been caught saying before, if that isn't the case they probably don't deserve the gift. 😉

For once, let's enjoy the season.

Great experiences to share:

• Travel together! You can give coupons for the cost of the trip, the tickets, or a used piece of gear they might need for the adventure. Hand me down gear is one of the greatest treats for someone outdoorsy, as long as it is still working!
• Pre purchase museum, opera, play, movie, or music tickets you know they would love to do with you.
• Make something together. It could be a tiny house in the woods for fairy folk that you make with your child or a piece of art with your friend. Creating together is a lasting experience.
• Take a class together. There isn't much that enriches life like learning new skills. Alternatively do a skill share where you each teach each other something new!

Alternatives to a big box Christmas:

• Farmer's markets! There are tons around town. HOPE, Sustainable Food Center, Texas Farmers Market, and Barton Creek Farmers Markets all host amazing markets weekly. View all.
• Craft fairs! Once December hits there will be more craft fairs happening than holiday parties, almost. The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, Blue Genie Gift Bazaar, South Congress (SoCo) Artist's Market, 23rd St. Artists Market on Guadaloupe, Austin Handmade Arts Market (1607 San Jacinto, every 3rd weekend of the month), Gibson Street Artists' Market, and MORE.
• Get thrifty! There are a ton of thrift shops around Austin. Some of my favorites are Treasure City Thrift and Family Thrift. More.
• Get crafty! Handmade gifts from you are some of the most impactful things loved ones can get from you. If you want to try your hand at making things check out Instructables, CraftZine, DIY Network, and my favorite local crafter's blog C.R.A.F.T. (Creating Really Awesome Free Things).

Fair Trade and International Non-Profits

• Ten Thousand Villages is a volunteer run fair trade store on South Congress. You can get a range of items there.
• Rainforest Partnership is a locally based international non-profit that encourages more sustainable economy in tropical rainforest regions in the Amazon. They have a benefit coming up at a local jeweler's shop on Dec. 9th.

This is not a new idea. For more articles on not buying into Black Friday and the Christmas present craze go here: http://zenhabits.net/bah/

Image Credit: http://muddywaterzen.blogspot.com/2010/12/case-against-buying-christmas-presents.html