Dark for Darfur and Buy Nothing Day

Posted by Benjamin on: 11.22.2007 /

With the insanity of the holidays approaching, we want to promote some ideas for reducing consumerism during this consumer driven season of the year.

Dark for Darfur has a calculator for the electricity costs for outdoor christmas light displays. They are encouraging us to consider doing without these displays, and instead donating corresponding dollar savings to address the insanity in Darfur.

Buy Nothing Day is encouraging us to undertake a 24 hour buying moratorium on November 23 in the United States (the infamous Day after Thanksgiving/busiest shopping day of the year) and on November 24 internationally.

• If you buy into either of of these ideas–why not leave a comment and let us know.
• And/or share your thoughts/reactions.
• And definitely please let us know if you decide to sign on with one of these campaigns *because* we featured it here on JaC.
• What are *your* ideas for fighting the insane consumerism of the holiday season?

Personally, for Christmas, I’m asking people to consider buying me something from the World Vision gift catalog–or if they must buy me a personal gift, keep the cost under $20.