The holidays are upon us. For many, this season brings joy.
Throngs of shoppers have descended upon the shopping meccas of our cities and towns. Strings of Christmas lights, images of a rosy-cheeked Santa Claus and a barrage of holiday sales have been foisted upon us. The commercialism of the holidays are unavoidable. For many, this season will bring stress and empty pockets.
I heartily encourage all of you out there to participate in Buy Nothing Day on this upcoming Friday, 29 November.
Simply don’t buy anything. Go outside, spend time with loved ones, read a book… just don’t succumb to the retailers’ “First Offcial Christmas Shopping Day of the Season”. Please do visit the Buy Nothing Day web pages to find out more information, download materials, and read about the history, debates, reports and news about this day.
This year, my holiday gifts will mostly consist of mostly yummy cookies of all sorts and hand-printed photos. Not just because of my lack of fundage, but also to minimize my consumerism during this time. I think that everyone should do something to curb their consumption, especially at this time.
It’s especially hard, for the geek in me, who always wants shiny new things with buttons, but I do try. 
What will *you* do?
You know, it’s people like you that are contributing to the downfall of our economy. Without people spending ALL their hard earned money on “things”, we wouldn’t be the great, consumer-driven society we are today.
And it’s not just OUR economy either. From Sri Lanka, you’re taking away 13-year-old Abu’s monthly salary of $0.15 … just because you won’t buy a new Old Navy shirt. Or what about poor Jose in Mexico. He’s not getting his usual ration of maggot-infested gruel because you didn’t feel like buying a new flashlight.
*sigh*
What is this world coming to when we as Americans won’t do our duty to better the global economy by purchasing tasteless gifts?