'Buy Nothing Day': Some Shoppers Plan to Avoid Black Friday

Some Georgetown residents may 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."

A few people commented on Georgetown Patch's Facebook page that they'll be working Friday instead of shopping. One said the only thing she'd be purchasing is round-trip Metro fare. (By the way, Metro, will be back to its normal schedule after going on a Sunday schedule for Thanksgiving Day.)

Another person said, "We NEVER shop on Black Friday." 

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, ).

“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 M Street? Tell us in the comments below!