More Connection, Less Stuff. Why We Love the Buy-Nothing Movement!

Have you ever considered not buying a single gift for the holidays? Folks around the world are hopping on a trend that aims to reduce waste, lend a helping hand, and foster in-person connections. It’s called the “Buy-Nothing Movement”, and it just might be the thing that lights you up this season!

According to our calendars, the time for giving is fast approaching. But what does that really mean? Does it mean that every December an individual needs to purchase stuff for other people? We’re not suggesting that you skip the gift-giving all together, but the Buy-Nothing Movement may just be the push we need to branch out from mainstream expectations of what belongs under the tree. Let’s explore the humble beginnings of this trend, and discover how it can improve our lives all year round!

How the Buy-Nothing Movement started…

The urge to buy less isn’t a new thing. It actually began a decade ago as the “Buy-Nothing Project” in an effort to combat overconsumption and to reduce plastic waste. ¹

And then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. That’s when things really took off! Porch drop-offs became a popular way to trade goods and surprise people with care packages. Neighbors realized how much they missed simple interactions with one another. And we all took a hit to the wallet in one way or another.

In 2022, Buy-Nothing Facebook groups began sprouting up across the country, fueling the good-natured movement even further. There are over 7,000 of these groups on Facebook now!

Why it’s the coolest thing ever!

I love a good freebie just as much as the next guy, but the thing that really sets this movement apart is not just the money-saving piece, but the way it encourages people to build lasting relationships in their communities. You can always donate something to a thrift store (which is a lovely thing to do!) but you miss out on the smiles and human connection that these in-person meetups propagate.

For example, in this brief news clip by WXYZ-TV Detroit, we get to hear more about how a simple Buy-Nothing gift of kindness can have a life-changing impact for a young mother. Check it out!

And that’s just one person’s story. Imagine all of the little acts of kindness around the world that are rippling out and growing in goodness as I type! It warms my heart just thinking about it.

New to the idea? Here’s how you can get started!

With the holidays coming up, a lot of people are feeling the financial pinch of gift giving—and the anxiety that can accompany it. To me, this sounds like a perfect time of year to buy nothing!
For others who just want to help reduce waste, or meet some new friends in your area, dive in and see what works for you!

Here are a couple of my personal tips to help along your own buy-nothing journey.

• First up, join the Buy Nothing Facebook group for your area! There are also loads of other groups that can be great resources such as Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle groups, and groups for Upcyclers that can help you dream up ways to utilize whatever excess materials you’ve got handy. There are also LOADS of resources to be found on the Buy Nothing Project website!

• It’s not just for the holidays! Baby Showers, birthdays…any occasion where you would give a gift is a great opportunity to buy nothing. Try swapping for a homemade gift, wrap it with leftover newspaper, or normalize regifting something that you don’t use yourself. If you’re real thrifty, you can even save your gift wrapping paper each year and reuse it! As a bonus, gently unwrapping the paper in order to save it slows down the unwrapping process too, which can help to savor the moment.

• Grow it, instead of buying it! If you have a green thumb, make the most of it by growing or raising your own food. This not only makes a significant impact on your carbon footprint, but it is a great money saver. And most importantly, your food will be much more nutritious because it doesn’t have to travel to get to you. And who doesn’t love to receive something homegrown as a gift, right?

• Find yourself obsessing over something trendy? Have a little patience. The popularity of trendy items will eventually pass and you will be able to find the item secondhand.

• Speaking of trends, trades will never go out of style! Anything from clothing, books, food, tools, household goods, and even manual labor or a few hours of donated time can be swapped for something you need. Oftentimes it just takes a little asking around.

• It’s not about perfection. In fact, it’s pretty difficult to truly not buy anything. Some things like underwear and toothbrushes you don’t really want to trade for or find secondhand—for obvious reasons. But the more you can hold off on buying something new, the more money you will save to be able to purchase quality items that will last. And that shift in mindset right there will add up to make a huge difference!

There you have it! A beginner’s guide to buying nothing.

As the holiday hoopla begins to swell around us, every time you choose to give the jar of homemade pickles wrapped in some upcycled packaging, or opt to gift your too-snug winter coat from last year to your neighbor’s daughter… Remember that these are gifts of love. Love for the planet, love for yourself, and love for one another.

Keep dreaming, and notice the beauty around you!
~Renee

Pssst! Love the idea of turning trash into treasure? Check out these articles from our archives!

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