The grassroots campaign called “Buy Nothing Day,” which urged people to stay out of the stores on “Black Friday,” or the day after Thanskgiving, was a success, the organizers reported. Not only did the day get major media attention, but volunteers showed up to malls all around the world to spread their message of knocking out the consumerism of the December holidays. Some, like those pictured here, handed out “free samples of nothing.”

Now, organizers are touting “Buy Nothing Christmas,” a challenge to slow down the spending on piles of presents. For those whose grandmas and kids won’t like that idea, they suggest a “Buy Less Christmas,” or putting requirements that gifts cost less than a set amount, or be eco-friendly.
“Spend time with family instead, and rediscover how people made merry before the advent of the big-box store,” they say.