B.A.F.F.L.E.D. Business
B.A.F.F.L.E.D. friend Oh Hells Nah has gone occupy crazy (in a good way!) and is promoting another type of economic occupation: that of holiday shopping. Sure, it would be easy to mosey on down to the local Wal-Mart, Target, and Best Buy and do all your shopping in one go, but there is something to be said for procuring your presents from small businesses and supporting your community. Let's be realistic: millions of people will be going to those big box stores, and there is nothing we can do to stop that. However, we can still make a difference and support or local businesses and encourage our friends and family to do the same. But enough from me; she makes a better point that I can.
Via her post in Newstaco:
The Page will be used as a space where everyone can share shopping ideas. We’ve already seen some links to local and fair trade business. This is not to suggest that you need to do all of your holiday shopping this way, but to at least encourage much more mindful consumerism.
Via her post in Newstaco:
The idea behind Occupy the Holidays is to encourage people everywhere to avoid corporate shopping and instead support local, fair trade, or independent business this holiday season. If enough people commit to this approach to the Occupy Movement, we can send a clear message to corporate America with our money — we refuse to support their greed and unethical practices during the holidays.
The Page will be used as a space where everyone can share shopping ideas. We’ve already seen some links to local and fair trade business. This is not to suggest that you need to do all of your holiday shopping this way, but to at least encourage much more mindful consumerism.
Personally, I would be thrilled to receive a handmade necklace from the Third World or a nice article of clothing from a local boutique, but really, there are so many other gift possibilities. Some ideas are to shop through sites like Etsy, purchase gift certificates to local restaurants, or shop at your local farmers market.
Please help spread this message by sharing with your friends and by Liking and contributing to theFacebook Page.
Oh Hells Nah is a small and sassy Mexican woman exploring the relationships between poetry, politics, and food. She lives in Chicago, you can check out herblog — like hot dogs for your brain — or follow her on Facebook or Twitter@OhHellsNah.