Today was International Buy Nothing day. Activists took to the streets all across the globe to try and persuade those who can afford to live consumerist lifestyles to think about how much they need all the things they buy. In the run up to the Christmas shop-a-thon it is easy for many people to forget that the best things in life are free. Do we really need those things we buy? Is spending money on useless crap the only way to show loved ones how much we care for them? Of course not! Clowns from Rampant Reekies, the Edinburgh gaggle of C.I.R.C.A, played games, danced and were generally silly on the streets, entertaining people without selling products. They also joyfully invaded shops, including HNM, GAP, BHS and Schu, and "brought mirth and merriment to the dazed monotony of Christmas consumption." A Food Not Bombs stall gave out free food in the form of pea soup, banana smoothies, bread and apple pie. Many shoppers walked straight past the hot-dog stall and had some lovely vegan soup for lunch instead. A chalk message on the pavement read "there is such a thing as a free lunch!" A mobile Free Shop set up on the street to give things away for free. Many people came and found useful items to take away, or gifts for people which they were otherwise going to buy. One man said simple "this is the best thing I've ever seen" and a passing woman exclaimed "I've seen jumble sales, but never this!" A passing Police Officer even inquired if there was any mobile phones, as he was going to buy one that day but couldn't now he knew it was Buy Nothing Day. A person claiming to be from Society for a Transformation to Imagination Not Capitalisation (S.T.I.N.C) approached the stalls and informed the BNDers that they had released non-harmful stink bombs in a fast-food stores on Princes Street to "make it clear - Capitalism stinks", although this remains unverified. The reception from passers by was generally quite good. While some didn't understand the point of it, many skeptics came and had a chat a left with an understanding of what Buy Nothing Day is about, along with some free stuff. Hopefully some shoppers will decide to make gifts for Christmas instead of paying someone else to. Many involved really enjoyed the day and felt that it was effective, so look out for more Food Not Bombs activity in Edinburgh. The Forest Cafe (www.theforest.org.uk) is having a week long Free Shop upstairs beginning on the 14th of December.