Buy Nothing Birthday

Tomorrow is Buy Nothing Day. And next week it’s my birthday. Earlier this month, I dithered a lot before sending the following email to my family:

Every year my birthday falls on or close to Buy Nothing Day. At first this just tickled me, but as I get older and more jaded (in so many ways), I start to feel a bit more empathy with the cause, and so this year I have written a very short birthday wishlist: please buy me nothing for my birthday. I understand that giving presents is a personal thing and I know it does seem a bit rude to dictate what people do or don’t give you for your birthday. All I am asking is that you don’t spend lots of money this year, on something that, while it may be nice to have, I don’t really need. I’m very happy with my life, and there isn’t much that I need that money can buy. I would be delighted with something made or grown (like jam!) or a service (e.g. an offer of future babysitting), or if you really can’t shake that consumer habit, charity shop books would be nice. Just don’t buy anything NEW. Here’s a quote from the BND website: “Everything we buy has an impact on our planet. Buy Nothing Day highlights the environmental and ethical consequences of consumerism.The developed countries – only 20% of the world population are consuming over 80% of the earth’s natural resources, causing a disproportionate level of environmental damage and unfair distribution of wealth. As consumers we need to question the products we buy and challenge the companies who produce them. What are the true risks to the environment and developing countries? The argument is infinite – while it continues we should be looking for simple solutions – Buy Nothing Day is a good place to start.”

I received a variety of responses to my email, and one person who bought me a present about six months ago [because I knew you would think it was absolutely brilliant as soon as I saw it!] has already given me something I don’t want or need. Ungrateful bitch, I know. But some of the responses were quite positive; my family appears to like a challenge. I’ll report back on the results, next week.