Burke Shoppers Close Their Wallets for 'Buy Nothing Day'

Some Burke residents will be sleeping in, eating Thanksgiving leftovers and spending time with family and friends on Black Friday—doing anything but shopping—as a way of celebrating "Buy Nothing Day."

One person on the Burke Patch Facebook page wrote, "Never been a fan of Black Friday. ... People are crazy enough on regular shopping days! I'd rather stay home and enjoy my family!"

Buy Nothing Day is traditionally the day after Thanksgiving and is a movement to establish a counterbalance to the consumerism that can dominate Black Friday (and, ).

Another person commented on the Burke Patch Facebook page, "I hang out with my family Friday instead of acting like a shopping maniac. Over the past few years, the online deals have been just as good!" (Cyber Monday is the Monday following Thanksgiving.)

“Until we challenge the entrenched values of capitalism—that the economy must always keep growing, that consumer wants must always be satisfied, that immediate gratification is imperative—we’re not going able to fix the gigantic psycho-financial-eco crisis of our times,” according to AdBusters, which promotes the day annually and this year is pushing the hashtag #OccupyXmas on Twitter.

“This November 23rd, go cold turkey on consumption for 24 hours … see what happens … you just might have an unexpected, emancipatory epiphany!”

What’s your plan for Friday? Are you getting up early to shop (or going out Thursday night)? Or are you spending time with your family and intentionally avoiding the malls? Tell us in the comments below!