I hate shopping. And I hate how my inbox fills up with Black Friday deals around this time of year. As I was pondering what to do about the recent election situation, I read an article from a family who had been living in Ecuador for six years. One of the benefits they loved was that the culture is not centered around consumerism. When Christmas rolls around it’s much more about family than presents.
I wish our culture was more focused on making life better for our people, not just our corporations. One small way that we all have control over that is by consuming less. Buying fewer things is better for the planet, our wallets, and our mental health. Black Friday is a whole day that many of us have off of work with our families, so why waste it shopping? Here are some ideas for delightful ways to spend the day that you won’t end up regretting.
Experiences Over Things
Over the years, I’ve noticed that I get far more value from experiences than things. So, a few years ago, I started giving my kids experience gifts for Christmas and their birthdays. They aren’t missing out either. For example, this year, our family is traveling over the holiday and so for Christmas our four kids are getting one experience each that they can’t get at home. I compiled a long list of options and each person chose one thing that we’ll all do together. We’ll be hiking on suspension bridges like ewoks through the redwoods, ziplining, zorbing, and enjoying a day at the hot springs. What present could be better than that? I know we’ll remember these adventures long after they’re over and they won’t clutter our house once we’ve stopped using them.
What to Do on Black Friday Instead of Shopping
So, if your default is to get up the day after Thanksgiving and hit the stores (in-person or online), here are a few ideas of how to spend your day differently. These are ways that I think you’ll find much more fun, relaxing, and fulfilling (not to mention, cheaper).
- Sleep in.
- Visit a coffee shop.
- Go to a local Christmas tree lighting or a drive-through light show.
- Take a hike.
- Read a book from the library. (Maybe rebel with a banned book??)
- Play a board game.
- Bake some bread.
- Or, if you’re scared of yeast like me, bake something else yummy!
- Take a walk. Bring a pet.
- Go ice skating (indoors counts).
- Watch a movie.
- Light a fire in your fireplace.
- Set-up your Christmas tree (or better yet, decorate a plant you already have)!
- Visit a friend.
- Try a new turkey recipe.
- Learn to make a really good cocktail.
- Make a blanket to keep or give away.
- Volunteer.
- Write something: the book you want to start, a letter to a friend, a journal entry, a blog post….
- Find something to get rid of.
- Call someone you haven’t talked to in ages.
- Plan a family adventure day and make some memories.
OK, maybe this is just my wish list. If you have more ideas, post them in the comments! I hope you have very relaxing, inexpensive Black Friday!
