11/21/2017

On This Thanksgiving Week Here in the United States....

We are "going dark" for the Week.  We wanted to share this courtesy of the team at the Story of Stuff that is a nice plea to all Ordinary Faces as we gear up for the Holiday Season--

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

Story of Stuff Project 

Buy nothing graphic

However you celebrate, the holiday season provides an opportunity express gratitude for what we have and to spend time with the ones we love. But for years, retailers have been trying to write a new story for the holidays, one that puts presents before presence. Instead of expressing our love by doing stuff with our families, corporations want us to keep buying Stuff for them. 
But this consumer frenzy has serious consequences for the planet, and is turning the holidays into a time of stress and anxiety.
That's why we're sharing these tips for a simpler holiday season:
  1. Participate in Buy Nothing Day on November 24Take the pledge to avoid crowded malls on the busiest shopping day of the year, and invite your friends to do the same!
  2. Start a conversation about Stuff. Talk with your friends and family about where our Stuff comes from and where it goes – and the impacts on people and the planet along the way. Sharing The Story of Stuff movie on social media is a great icebreaker!
  3. Give a non-material gift like event tickets, membership to a local museum, or a charitable donation in someone's name
  4. Gift something home-made or second-hand like baked goods, upcycled art, or quality used items.
  5. Volunteer with a local charity or community organization – and bring your friends along, too.
  6. Make a plan to relax. Holiday obligations and activities can leave us with little time to truly recharge. Set aside some time to get out into nature or to simply curl up with a good book.
  7. Give the gift of an empty mailbox with Catalog Choice. This free website operated by The Story of Stuff Project can help you cancel unwanted catalogs and other junk mail. Sign up and get started now!
Check out hundreds more ideas for a simpler holiday season on our "Un-Stuff Your Holiday" Pinterest board. Or, read 15 commercial-free holiday tips for families from our friends at New Dream.