This is a guest post from Isobel Araujo of Whitney Young High School and a member of the ACE Chicago Media Team.

As Thanksgiving approaches, the sights and smells of fallen autumn leaves, pumpkin pie, and Thanksgiving turkey dominate the season. For the especially ambitious shopper, November might also bring dreams of those cool new designer boots, that Lego set for your brother’s Christmas present, the latest video game, and perhaps the excitement at the prospect of waking up at 3:00 A.M. on November 23rd to go shopping with the rest of us Black Friday disciples.

The apparent irony of the Black Friday tradition is that we give thanks for the important things in our lives, like the company and love of our family and friends, and then less than 12 hours later go out and fight each other in the mall over the last Xbox. Not only is it hypocritical, but from an environmentally conscious point of view, it is harmful.

The consumption of new goods that aren’t necessarily eco-friendly does nothing good for our planet Earth. The energy that these products use for transport, to mass produce, and to package these items takes up more of our earth’s resources than many of us realize. Not to mention the fact that the influx of these material items pollute the environment, and according to National Geographic News, “the devastating toll on the Earth’s water supplies, natural resources, and ecosystems exacted by a plethora of disposable cameras, plastic garbage bags, and other cheaply made goods with built in product-obsolescence, and cheaply made manufactured goods that lead to a ‘throw away’ mentality.”

I can say from experience how easy it can be to transition from Black Friday worshipper to Buy Nothing Day devotee, because one year, my family decided not to give each other Christmas gifts. Yes, as wacky as it seems, my parents made the executive decision (despite it’s initial unpopularity with me and my brothers). Instead, we took a family trip to Colombia to visit some extended family. On Christmas day, we drove down through the mountains of Bogotá and through the plains of what seemed to be the farthest place from civilization. We drove through ramshackle towns, where the roofs were made of tin, and families of six lived in one room. Yet there were always kids out kicking a soccer ball around, older men and women gossiping in lawn chairs in front of their lime green, and bubble gum pink colored houses, and loud music blaring out into the streets at night. Seeing other families happy with what little they had inspired my family.

I believe that if all of us participated in Buy Nothing Day on November 23rd, we could achieve satisfaction with what we have. Instead of material things, give someone you care about a memorable experience, like concert tickets, a nice home cooked meal, or maybe even that wooden clock you so thoughtfully made for them in shop class. Another alternative is to go to a recycled fashion store, used book store, or thrift store to find a cool vintage jacket, or used record player, or a copy of a good book.

We can all make a difference in our community and the environment by supporting local business, eliminating pollution and energy waste, and realizing that what we truly want is simply the love and comfort from our families, friends, and communities. Support Buy Nothing Day this November 23rd!