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Holiday gains -

The holiday shopping season is a great time for retailers. People often spend more money on gifts and other items due to the festive spirit. However, businesses are always looking for ways to increase their profits.

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More shopping - By recognizing shopping trends, retailers began to intensify their marketing efforts around specific dates. They created catchy names for these shopping events and hyped up the excitement with talk of unbeatable deals and limited-time offers.

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Beyond Black Friday -

These shopping events begin with the well-known Black Friday and Cyber Monday in November and continue through Green Monday, the second Monday of December.

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Shopping spree - In the United States, the holiday shopping season traditionally begins right after Thanksgiving. Big sales were traditionally limited to this day, as stores hoped to attract even more shoppers.

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Why Black Friday? -

While the exact origin is uncertain, the term "Black Friday" likely emerged in the 1950s. Philadelphia police officers began using this term to describe the chaotic shopping crowds and traffic jams that occurred the day after Thanksgiving.

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Competition -

Eager shoppers can lead to long lines and crowds. In the US, during peak Black Friday shopping times, people may spend hours, or even camp out overnight, waiting in line just to enter a store and snag the best deals. 

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Week long event -

In recent years, stores have responded by offering online sales and extending Black Friday deals to last throughout the week.

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Picking up -

Black Friday sales became common across the United States in the early 1990s. By the mid-2000s, online shopping was gaining popularity. In 2008, online shoppers reportedly spent U$534 million on Black Friday.

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Cyber Monday is created -

Cyber Monday emerged around the same time. It took off after Shop.org noticed a surge in online sales, a 77% increase, on the Monday following Black Friday weekend.

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Month long -

Major US retailers like Walmart and Amazon combined Black Friday and Cyber Monday into a single shopping weekend. Retailers have since created spin-offs, like Small Business Saturday, and extended the sales period to "Black November."

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Last minute shopping -

While less well-known than other retail holidays, Green Monday remains a busy shopping day. It's the day many shoppers rush to buy last-minute gifts and take advantage of deals.

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Company interest -

Green Monday falls on the second Monday of December. The term was reportedly coined by eBay to describe the surge in last-minute online shopping.

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The other side -

While loved by many, including retailers and consumers seeking great deals, the rampant consumerism triggered by these shopping events has led people to consider the negative impacts.

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Overspending -

People often overspend during these events, buying things they wouldn't normally. The sense of urgency created by limited-time offers and "too-good-to-be-true" deals, carefully crafted by marketers, encourages overbuying.

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Good deals illusion -

Some retailers inflate prices in the weeks leading up to these events, promising the best deals of the year. This is a common misconception. While average prices may be lower, specific items might be cheaper at other times. Ultimately, pricing depends on factors like supply, demand, and local regulations.

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Small businesses struggle -

While initiatives like Small Business Saturday help, smaller, locally-owned shops often can't match the discounts offered by large chains. In times of economic hardship, and with wealth increasingly concentrated among billionaires, many people are turning to local and community shopping.

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Beyond our wallets - Excessive consumerism, particularly during the holiday season, can have negative impacts beyond financial concerns. Promoting responsible consumption can contribute to mental well-being and environmental sustainability.

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Bad for the planet -

The carbon footprint of online shopping is significant. In 2023, UK Black Friday purchases alone released approximately 440,924 tons (400,000 tonnes) of CO2. In 2024, the figure is expected to rise by an additional 33,069 tons (30,000 tonnes).

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In comes Buy Nothing Day -

In response to excessive consumerism, Buy Nothing Day was conceived by Canadian artist Ted Dave in 1992. This anti-shopping campaign gained traction after being adopted by the non-profit magazine, Adbusters.

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Purpose -

According to the official Adbusters website, Buy Nothing Day encourages consumers to reevaluate their spending habits and consider the issue of overconsumption.

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Exposing consumerism -

They also issue a poignant reminder: "The urge to buy isn't actually coming from inside you. It's code laid down by every ad, email, commercial, and celebrity you've ever encountered."

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How to celebrate Buy Nothing Day? -

Financial experts and environmentalists encourage consumers to shop "smaller, slower and smarter," rather than impulsively following trends. This shift in mindset can help mitigate the negative consequences of hasty shopping.

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Resist the urge -

As the movement organizers suggest, "Keep the credit card holstered. Keep your cash in your jeans. Don't buy. Just breathe." Other experts recommend taking this opportunity to declutter your finances by getting rid of old credit cards or canceling excess ones.

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Fresh air -

Adbusters also recommends spending time outdoors, connecting with nature, and appreciating the simple pleasure of being away from screens and crowded malls.

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Quality time with loved ones -

Instead of focusing on spending, repurposing the holiday season can allow for more quality time with loved ones, which is arguably the true highlight of the holidays.

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Organize an activity -

While some groups organize full-scale anti-consumerism protests to raise awareness about the negative impacts of overspending, the event creators also suggest organizing alternative group activities that don't involve spending, such as a "buy nothing stroll."

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Alternative gifts -

Consider alternative gift ideas for the holidays such as handmade gifts using inexpensive materials or handwritten letters.

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Experiences over products - Consider gifting experiences rather than material items and, if you end up having to buy, opt for purchasing used items from vintage and secondhand shops.

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Buy Nothing Day's impact -

Despite competing with established holidays, the movement is gaining momentum. Recent protests against Amazon and discussions about banning Black Friday in Europe highlight growing concerns about consumerism's environmental impact. For those seeking an alternative, Buy Nothing Day offers a way to opt out of the shopping frenzy.

Sources: (Britannica) (Investopedia) (BetterHelp) (Adbusters) (Gorgias Blog) (Synergetic Press) (Air Quality News)

See also: 25 DIY Christmas gifts everyone will love

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