A Santa Parade, exorting people to "Buy More, Be Happy" and "Work!
Spend! Don't think!" took to the streets today (29th Nov 2003) in
Birmingham to celebrate "Buy Nothing Day".

Visiting the new "Bullring" shopping centre, and the packed
pedestrianised shopping streets of Brum, the parade got an excellent
response from the public. "Buy Nothing Day, that's a good idea" and
"Well done Santa!" were just two of the positive comments we received
from passers by.

Seven Santa's held placards, including "Money CAN buy you love" and
"If it's Branded, then it must be good". Parodies of commercial
slogans included: "Just Buy it" and "What do you want to buy today?"

Sports engaged in included: Santa's queueing for the bus; surrounding
shoppers in a circle of Santa's; a Santa Conga; dancing to a busking
steel band; standing under the "Happy Christmas Birmingham" lights. We
also posed for photos with lots of tourists!

The one downside? People were so interested that our 300 leaflets were
taken in about 15 minutes. A mid-stunt reprint of 200 more only lasted
10 minutes!

Certainly one to repeat.