Why It’s Time to Boycott Black Friday — And Choose Greener, More Meaningful Giving

Every November, the familiar wave begins: inboxes fill with “unmissable” deals, retailers shout about “once-a-year savings,” and the pressure mounts to buy, buy, buy. Black Friday has become a global shopping frenzy — but at what cost?

If we’re spending money on items we don’t need, just because they’re discounted, we’re not saving — we’re consuming more, wasting more, and feeding a cycle that harms both our wallets and our planet.

A Better Way Forward: Buying Less, Buying Thoughtfully

At Sustainable Merton, we believe there’s a different story we can tell during the festive season — one centred on thoughtful gifting, community support, and a circular economy.

This weekend, at our Greener Giving Pop-Up Market at Wimbledon Quarter, supported by Trinity United Reformed Church Wimbledon, we saw exactly what this kinder, greener approach looks like. 17 local, small, and sustainable businesses showcased beautiful, creative, and responsibly made products — the kind of gifts that carry meaning, artistry, and heart.

These traders aren’t just selling items; they’re nurturing local creativity, reducing environmental footprints, and offering alternatives that don’t rely on mass production or wasteful supply chains. When we support them, we’re not only giving unique gifts — we’re strengthening our own community.

🛍️.Find the full list of sellers below! 🌿

Before Buying New… Could Something Be Repaired?

Sustainable giving isn’t just about where we shop — it’s also about what we choose to buy in the first place.

A core part of Sustainable Merton’s mission is championing a circular economy, where resources stay in use for as long as possible. That means repairing, reusing, and re-imagining instead of throwing things away and replacing them with new purchases.

So before being tempted by Black Friday “deals”, ask yourself:

• Could something you already own be brought back to life?

• Could a loved one’s gift come from your hands rather than a shop?

• Could repairing an item be more meaningful (and more sustainable) than replacing it?

If the answer is yes, we’ve got the perfect opportunity for you.

Join Us at the Last Repair Café of the Year!

Bring your tired, torn, or tinkered-out items to our final Repair Café of 2025!

📅 Saturday 22 November, 1 - 4pm

🔧 BOOK & INFO HERE

Our skilled volunteers can help restore your belongings — saving you money, preventing waste, and giving your possessions a new lease of life.

Get Creative at the Preloved Studio

You can also bring your creative ideas to life at our Preloved Studio drop-in sewing sessions every Tuesday. Come along to sew, share tips, connect with others, and make unique gifts for friends and family. Or simply pop in to have a go — choose from our collection of simple patterns and build your sewing skills so you can repair more and rely on buying less. Find out more at thewheelmerton.org/prelovedstudio.

Let’s Make Greener Giving the New Normal

Boycotting Black Friday isn’t about missing out — it’s about stepping into a new mindset. One that values:

✨ Quality over quantity

✨ Community over consumption

✨ Creativity over convenience

✨ Repair over replacement

✨ Thoughtfulness over impulse

This festive season, let’s spend with intention, support the makers who pour passion into their work, and choose gifts that truly matter. Together, we can make greener giving not just a trend, but a tradition 🎁💚

💚 OUR GREENER GIVING STALLHOLDERS

✨ Bridget Armstrong Hats – Stylish hats that bring elegance and personality to every outfit.

✨ Eli’s Sweet Kingdom – Delicious, homemade sweets and Bulgarian pastries.

✨ Elsie & Marj – Socks made here in the UK for cosy toes and happy souls.

✨ Fayre & Square - Community project creating handmade, eco-friendly gifts.

✨ Floristitch – Unique crochet flowers and keyrings combining artistry and nature.

✨ Flowfit Active Wear – Comfortable, stylish activewear designed for movement and mindfulness.

✨ Hibiscus Tea Inc x House of Tatire – Vibrant, artisanal teas with a sustainable, cultural twist and luxury hair accessories.

✨ InchyArt – Quirky, colourful art pieces that spark joy and creativity.

✨ Latelier de Maya – Handmade fabric accessories with a little extra love woven in.

✨ Mahuika Flame Candles – Handcrafted candles, wax melts, soaps – made with natural essential oils.

✨ Miss Nang Treats – Delicious, creative gourmet nuts & seeds snacks.

✨ Monkey Music – Engaging music experiences that inspire little ones to sing, play, and move.

✨ Shirt-bag – Stylish bags upcycled from repurposed shirts for sustainable fashion.

✨ Tamara's Bakes and Treats - A South London bakery crafting delicious cakes, cookies, cookie pies, and chocolates.

✨ The Light Candle Co – Artisan candles designed to illuminate spaces with warmth and fragrance.

✨ Theresa Cotton – Beautifully crafted textiles made with care and sustainability in mind.

✨ ZOHIWO – Creating colourful and fun art to fill your home.