Lorton Residents Vow to 'Buy Nothing' on Black Friday

For some local residents, Black Friday is a day to avoid shopping.

Buy Nothing Day, like Black Friday, is traditionally the day after Thanksgiving—but instead of shopping at 4 a.m. (or earlier) in an effort to get good deals, some residents are staying home and spending time with their families Friday.

One person on Lorton Patch’s Facebook page said she won’t even buy gas for her car on Friday. However, she said, “I’m participating in Small Business Saturday. All my gifts this year will either by homemade or bought from a local small business.”

Another Lorton Patch Facebook fan said she has "never gone shopping on Black Friday and won't start now."

Buy Nothing Day started in the early 1990s.

“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 the malls? Tell us in the comments below!