Buy Nothing Day 1999:
Santa Claus to Celebrate Buy Nothing Day Nov. 26

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Santa's "Sleigh" to visit Washington DC, Baltimore, Denver, and Seattle

Contacts:
Sean "Santa" Sheehan 301-270-9111
Anna "Elf" White 202-986-1815

North Pole-Santa Claus announced today that he will no longer tolerate shopping malls and corporations using his good name and image to promote the annual holiday consumerism frenzy that stresses families, puts people into debt, and harms the environment. On Friday November 26th Santa will join his impersonators at the commercial Sprawl of America, but instead of listening patiently to long wish lists for Pokémon paraphernalia, he and his trusty elves will offer oodles of groovy alternative gift ideas, "Gift of Time" certificates, credit card cut- up services, and general Buy Nothing Day cheer.

Buy Nothing Day, launched seven years ago to raise consciousness about the grave costs of our consumer culture on people and the natural environment, is now celebrated annually by tens of thousands of citizens in over 30 countries. Americans, only 5% of the world population, consume 35% of the natural resources used globally each year. Recent scientific estimates indicate that at least four additional planet would be needed if each of the earth's 6 billion inhabitants consumed at the level of the average American.

The hypercommercialism of the holidays is particularly worrisome. The average American planned to spend $900 on Christmas gifts in 1998 and was still paying off holiday debts five months later. According to the Center for a New American Dream poll, 44% feel pressure to spend more than they can afford at holiday time; only 28% feel that the season leaves them feeling "joyful."

"It's time to ask ourselves what is enough?" says Santa, "Many of my 'helpers' seek to drown their children in presents to make up for their lack of presence-while they were slaving for money to buy the presents! I say, work less, buy less, and be jolly!"

"Each year, corporations spend millions of dollars to advertise credit cards, overpriced sneakers, factory farm ham, even dancing cowboy Santas, under the guise that if we don't do our Consumer duty and shop, shop, shop during the holidays, the Holy stock market will crash," notes one elf, "What don't they tell you? It would take our fellow Haitian "elves" in Disney sweatshops 150 years to earn what Disney CEO Michael Eisner makes in only one hour!"

"Low-income folks suffer the most-why should they?" questions Santa, "the best things in life aren't material--they're free! Frankly, there really is no correlation between more stuff and greater happiness, rather, much evidence to the contrary. So instead of 'shopping till you drop,' stay at home and have a Ho Ho Ho…Happy Buy Nothing Day!"

Santa invites members of the media to sit on his lap at the "Sky Mall" and discuss the joys of Buy Nothing Day at the following "sleigh" landing sites: 8-8:30 a.m. ET, Baltimore-Washington International airport, United flight # 347 10:50-11:20 a.m. MT, Denver airport, United flight #1031 1:15-1:45 p.m. PT, Seattle Tacoma International airport, United baggage claim

For more information about Buy Nothing Day contact the Media Foundation at 604-736-9401 or see www.adbusters.org

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