Comments on: Black Friday vs. Buy Nothing Day

By: Steve S

Steve S — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 02:19:26 +0000

Here’s a Black Friday tip:

For those extremely limited quantity big-ticket items (TVs, computers, etc.) the stores will now hand out vouchers to those first in line to prevent shoving and trampling on the way back to the display case.

My brothers and I waited out in front of Staples this morning for less than an hour and got vouchers for their $349 laptop, which we promptly sold to the highest bidders at the end of the line.

Thanksgiving, capitalism, being frugal and not buying the computer yourself…what’s not to love about this story?!

By: PCP

PCP — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 01:13:45 +0000

I tried to go to KB Toys & the line was super long, since I needed only 3 more presents. I decided to go home, my list of presents was short since I had started shopping much earlier around July.

But I didn’t go out shopping anywhere else this time. I also hate the ideas of seeing good deals & thinking I may need it so it was much better to stay home with the kids.

By: Quasi Daily News

Quasi Daily News — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 19:07:37 +0000

Everyday should be Buy Nothing Day, Earth Day, Be Polite Day, Drive Safely Day, and so on. Don’t wait for someone to declare a “Day”. Let’s observe these “Days” on a daily basis, not just once a year.

By: Ana

Ana — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 17:43:00 +0000

I love the point about the “crass display of commercialism” as well. In our household, we don’t participate with black friday shopping after thanksgiving. Maybe because where I grow up- we don’t celebrate Christmas with lots of gifts. The thought of having our family around in Christmas and our family are healthy is what matters most.

Normally, after Thanksgiving- I’m likely home and sleeping.

By: Horatio Underpants

Horatio Underpants — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 14:08:25 +0000

Loved the point about “crass display of commercialism” appearing directly under an advert for Best Buy!

By: Allie

Allie — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 19:48:09 +0000

When I was little, my dad and I used to go get our Christmas tree (at a cut-your-own kind of farm) the day after Thanksgiving. On the way out, we would sing holiday carols and songs. On the way home we would get hot chocolate.

When I graduated and moved out of the house, we stopped doing that and really missed it. We tried to go look for trees but decided we were better off with artificial trees. Save the trees and get something flame retardant at the same time.

I proposed we go shopping the day after T day and then get hot chocolate on the way home. We have been doing this for several years now. It’s fabulous. We never notice the crowds. And yes, we sing in the car on the way there.

By: nes

nes — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 18:06:31 +0000

never bought in with all the after thanksgiving sale hype..

i’ll be home sleeping in and being a couch potato friday =)

By: prlinkbiz

prlinkbiz — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 16:29:25 +0000

“If you do go shopping, please spend responsibly: buy only what you need and can afford — avoid debt” - I love it- we treat debt like drinking and driving- another thing to be extra aware of during the holidays- and really it makes sense- people can destroy their lives and the lives of those around them by mismanaging money.

On Black Friday- I have never participated- I’m with the “dislike crowds of frenzied shoppers” crew. However- I have always been tempted to go the day after Christmas!

By: Michael Moore

Michael Moore — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 15:58:26 +0000

I hate the huge crowds, insane shoppers, and crazy parking lots, so I don’t go. I am hopeing that NewEgg or some other online computer part retailers will have some extra sales though.

My wife needs a new computer, and I’ve had the parts all priced out for several weeks. So, if there are any good one-day sales, Friday may be the day we buy.

Maybe Nov. 24 is the day we’re supposed to be thankfull for a chance to save money (on stuff we would have bought anyways).

By: Emily H.

Emily H. — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 14:59:46 +0000

Nov. 23–the day you’re supposed to be thankful for everything that you have.
Nov. 24–the day you’re supposed to be dissatisfied with all you have and spend huge amounts of money getting better stuff.

Yep. Makes sense.

But if I stay home, it’s in large part because I can’t STAND crowds.

By: H. Wren

H. Wren — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 14:39:52 +0000

After working in retail for a couple of years, I pretty much gave up on ever going anywhere on Black Friday. Yet, even though I’m at a point in my life where I don’t buy a lot of things anymore (living in a 400-square-foot apartment will do that to you), I have made my peace with BF. It’s still an important day for my mom, my aunt, and my grandmother — we all go out for a nice, long breakfast, and then go to Target or wherever. Admittedly, since they live in a relatively small place, The Frenzy isn’t as bad as it was in the malls I used to work in, but there’s still a lot of activity in the stores there. Mainly, though, I just focus on getting to spend time with my family. It’s important to them to go, so it’s important to me to go, to. I almost never buy anything, but I don’t worry about Black Friday anymore.

By: Binary Dollar

Binary Dollar — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 14:30:06 +0000

Everyday is Buy Nothing Day for me.