Campaigners urge us to mark 'Buy Nothing Friday' and hug friend

People should use Black Friday to hug a friend or ring their parents instead of rushing out to the sales, according to an online campaign which encouragespeople to buy nothing all day.

Published 27th Nov 2015

People should use Black Friday to hug a friend or ring their parents instead of rushing out to the sales, according to an online campaign which encourages people to buy nothing all day.

Thousands of people have indicated their support for avoiding what is predicted to be the one of the busiest shopping days of the year, by signing up to Buy Nothing Friday''.

The Facebook campaign, set up by Edinburgh-based Sam Machin, urges people to Join the Revolution'' and so far has more than 30,000 attendees.

Suggested alternatives to what is described as the mindless consumption'' of Black Friday include going for a walk, and getting together with friends.

Diane Allen from Taunton in Somerset said people could visit their local library and borrow some books instead, while Christopher Sturgess from Aldridge in the West Midlands joked: Can't wait to not spend any money I haven't got on anything I didn't need.''