Yellowknife (Nov 26/04) - North Americans are already into the tiring barrage of Christmas consumerism and non-stop marketing ploys -- this Friday, give yourself a break.

Put your wallet away, pack a lunch from home and resist the urge to stop for your morning latte.

Nov. 26 is Buy Nothing Day, the international day for recoiling from the retail industry. The day is celebrated in 55 countries, just 11 years after it began.

Chris O'Brien with the NWT Green Party plans to keep his wallet locked on Friday, though being aware of his consumption is something he tries to do each day.

He encourages Yellowknife residents to take part in the day, to think about where the things they buy are made and what effect they have on the economy and the environment.

"The vast majority of Yellowknifers have the same consuming habits as people in the rest of Canada," he said earlier in the week.

The tendency to buy the cheapest item, usually mass-produced imported products, will lead to Canadian businesses losing, he said.

"Consumers can have an extremely powerful impact on what's going on in the world," he said.

While no activities are planned for the day, city residents can easily participate: just leave your cash and credit card at home.

Purchasing tips

If you do buy on Friday, ponder these tips: