Green, green, it's green they say
On the far side of the hill
Green, green, I'm goin' away
To where the grass is greener still
[The New Christy Minstrels on June 4, 1963]
And let's all go a bit greener this November. It's why the holly and mistletoe got co-opted by Christmas as a reminder of better things to come. The better things for all of us consumers, and we all are consumers in one way or another, could be more thoughtful oversight of mega-corporations and public institutions with protections for unionized workers (hear that, Danielle Smith?). Too much politicking straight off? Well, we're also all of us political beings, so we might as well know how to swing our weight.
I'm suggesting we swing away from shopping this year, especially on that high holy day dedicated to the god of profit - Black Friday. It comes up this year on Friday, November 28th which coincides with my birthday. I would love to get all of your good wishes tax-free and redeemable in kind; but nothing else. Honestly, I can do with shedding weight rather than adding it. The camel trip through the needle's eye gets closer every year.
Egad, money and politics and religion in the first two paragraphs! Come back here. I'll behave. I'll even stop preaching and just reprint the piece I used last year about this time, or part of it anyway.
Green Friday is replacing Black Friday and I first learned of it in my French class textbook. Here's the piece and I know there's enough of you out there besides Anne and Elaine who won't need a translation.
Le "Green Friday", c'est un mouvement anti "Black Friday". Aujourd'hui des consommateurs s'engagement pour la planète et contre la surconsommation le jour du Vendredi noir.
Vous n'aimez pas le "Black Friday" Découvrez des actions responsables durant toute l'année!
See, it's going international. The Brits are in on it too, as evidenced by their group's suggestions for alternatives to big binge buying. They say you could look after yourself while looking after the planet. Tell the kids if they haven't already told you. Here's what I said last year; let's do it again.
Green Friday
This is the world's response to the commerce-backed, psycho-frenzy buying spree that has developed as "Black Friday" when we are urged through web crawling infoblurbs, mailbox stuffings and flying flyers to get out there and spend, spend, spend. The message of Green Friday advocates is simply "Don't".
In 1992, in Canada of all places, there began a movement for a "Buy Nothing Day" which has now folded itself comfortably into the Green Friday revolution. Where the Black Friday has implications and a history of lineups at outlets, violence at cash registers and buyers remorse on mornings after, the Greens suggest doing nice things.
This year the two events - Black Friday Buy-a-Thon and Green Friday Be-Nice Day are both on Nov 28. That will be on my birthday, but don't spend anything on me except the time to think happy thoughts my way.
This year depending on the weather and the state of your physical and mental health you could go for a walk in nature. Support a charity. Exercise - whoops, how'd that get in there? Anyway, do something nice for yourself or your community or the part of the planet you inhabit. There are official web sites for the movement in Australia and the UK. and so here's a longer list of suggested activities for Green Friday from England:
8 Ways to Boycott Black Friday
1. Get outside, anywhere – but in especially in nature. Science shows this is very de-stressing (rather than distressing) and extremely good for our health. Besides, just step outside a little more and who knows who you’ll bump into or what great things it might lead to.
2. Spend time with friends and family Technology and consumerism can easily leave us, and our loved ones, feeling isolated or unfulfilled. This is the perfect time to meet up with your favourite people. And it’ll make you both feel great!
3. Do something nice for someone. It doesn’t have to be anything big or arduous: even smiling at a stranger can make a world of difference to both parties. That said, if you do have some great plans to help someone else in your life – there’s no time like the present.
4. Do something to support a charity, your local community or any good cause. Lots of us have plans, intentions and even whole projects we keep meaning to commit to. Whether it’s volunteering, gathering supplies for a local food bank or sharing your skills, giving time to something outside yourself is the best cure for Stagnation Blues! For the very best effects all-round, we recommend something active.
5. Take time to create something. Have you been meaning to learn to paint, make a new recipe, play an instrument or develop some skill you’ve always admired? Go to it! Maybe there’s an exciting project, invention, innovation or bright idea in you. We humans are truly unique in our ability to create something completely new out of nothing.
6. Get active. If you’re heading to work or anywhere else – perhaps take the bike or jog. You probably don’t need us to tell you, but it’s nice to be reminded: exercise is incredibly good for us on many levels.
7. Meditate, take up yoga or otherwise invest your health – our number one asset! Many of these, time-and-science-tested activities are great for increasing mental and physical flexibility, reducing pain and discomfort, calming the central nervous system, improving our mood, posture and outlook and facilitating natural happiness!
8. Raise awareness for Green Friday and its values If you like what you’ve read here, or agree with the overriding themes of Green Friday – spread the word! The more we connect, the greater our potential and impact. And while we have a tendency to underplay it, your simple actions can really make a difference in creating a better world!
Now, with Christmas coming that could have implications for your whole holiday program. Black Friday was introduced as a shotgun start to super consumerism for seasonal gift buying, but there are alternaties and I invite you to put a response either in an email or on my facebook page, and I'll see that they get shared around.