Toolkit

On this page we have listed ideas and tips on how to plan a successful Buy Nothing Day event. Your event can be anything from staying at home with a good book to organising a free concert.

If this is your first time its best to set your sights on something easy. Ask friends to help - groups spring up just for Buy Nothing Day, keep checking the EVENTS page for updates and follow Buy Nothing Day on TWITTER.

Buy Nothing Day Posters

Green Poster (PDF 710k) - Red Poster (PDF 710k) - Blue Poster (PDF 710k)

DO NOT FLY POSTER!
Putting an official or un-official Buy Nothing Day poster or leaflet over a paid for advertisement or billboard is illegal and will get you into trouble.

Planning
Planning your event is key to its success. Hold a few meetings with friends before the day. Ask friends to take on responsibilities i.e. making posters, banners and costumes if needed, and get someone to deal with the publicity etc. Let the press and local radio know what you are doing - use the Buy Nothing Day PRESS RELEASE to publicise your event.

Important
Make sure your event can take place at your chosen location and isn’t on private property - its pointless working hard at organising and publicising an event only to find you’re asked to leave after 10 minutes. On the day - check everyone has your contact details. Pack some coloured marker pens - biros - paper - blunt ended scissors - sticky tape - double sided tape. Balloons for handing out (write Buy Nothing day on them). Take a notepad to get contact details of fellow Jammers. Take lots of pictures with a digital camera or mobile and send them to us. Check the weather and dress for it. Remember to pack something to eat and drink.

The public generally love the idea of Buy Nothing Day and many of the events tried over previous years have been well received. Your event should be fun and engaging. Humour works in a big way - the sillier the better.

Don’t forget! Your event shouldn’t hinder people going about their daily business - blockading doors or silly stunts don’t work - many people don’t have a choice about participating in a consumer society. Ultimately, shoppers won’t listen if you treat them like the enemy.

Buy Nothing Day Santa Parade
You will need:
Santa Suits, beards etc...
Placards (waterproofed, just in case!)
Friends (or not), even a single santa with a placard attracts attention! Stand in a bus queue - a group of Santa’s waiting for the bus certainly attracts attention. Have a Santa Conga, .dance, smile, be happy, go “ho ho ho”! Try get some press - you’ll look excellent. Local TV and papers may be interested. Local radio also has a lot of time to fill. Go for a real culture jamming approach - make people think by being silly and interesting. Keep it fun, and encourage people to join in. Be nice to shoppers, after all, you shop too.

Shopping free zone
Mark out a public area and fill it with people playing games, listening to music and chilling out on sofas or chairs (inflatable furniture is good). Hand out balloons with Buy Nothing Day written on them to the bemused onlookers.

ZOMBI£ $HOPP£R$!
Organise a group to dress up as zoned out zombies, shuffling from shop to shop chanting BUY, BUY - BRANDS, BRANDS! Stalk the high street.

Swap shop
Fairly simple idea. Set up a table and ask people to do swaps. Just for fun - leave a set of bogus Porsche keys and see if anyone is tempted?

Temper tantrum
Re-live those childhood tantrum moments - except this time you’re all grown up and should know better. Sit on the floor in any shop with a friend and throw a tantrum. Shout things like ‘I don’t want anything anymore!’ or ‘You’ve got more shopping than me!’ Anything really - just act like a BIG kid.

Conga time
Top off Buy Nothing Day with a classic conga. Chant, sing songs and get everyone to join in. It’s a great way to end Buy Nothing Day!