Truth be told, I have wonderful childhood memories of Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Our routine included grandma’s cooking times two!
For many years, my mom was an intentional Black Friday shopper. As a busy working mom, she capitalized on the day off and finished most of her shopping in one day.
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Coffee, Dessert, and Flyers
The Black Friday tradition began with the “newspaper flyers”. They arrived Wednesday, unlike modern-day Black Friday advertising.
After dinner, Grandma Ruth served apple, mincemeat, and pumpkin pie. She poured coffee as we broke open the cellophane package of ads for Friday’s sales.
The next day, my mom dutifully packed turkey sandwiches and carried a hand-written list with her Christmas Club envelope. This was money saved weekly from her paycheck which created the gift budget and not a penny more.
The Turning Point & My Frozen Car
Now, fast-forward to my early years as a working professional. Black Friday began at 5 AM, with a stop at Starbucks. At the end of the day, the car was so full I could barely see out the back window.
But something changed on a cold and lonely Black Friday, 15 years ago. I sat outside my parent’s home in my frozen car at 4:30 AM. The temperature dropped significantly overnight and my car would not start. Worse yet, I had no key to get back inside the house. Now what?
At that moment, I thought about the warm bed I just left. And all the fun we had on Thanksgiving with my young son, his grandparents, and great-grandparents.
What was I thinking?
Going shopping at such an early hour, alone?
New Perspective
After a few minutes, the engine turned over and I pulled away from the house, but with a very different perspective. I drove slowly into town admiring the fields covered with snow and enjoyed the quiet drive through the valley where I grew up.
The sky changed colors as sunrise approached. I stopped for coffee and chatted with the cashier. I wished her a Merry Christmas knowing she had left her family and warm house to come to work for crazy people like me.
With my coffee and list in hand, I walked into my favorite store. At this point in my story, I questioned consumerism and excess. It was difficult to shop. Each purchase created stress. My zeal and excitement for Black Friday were gone.
Advertising and marketing have shattered any good memories of Black Friday. Human discontent turned it into an event where people push and shove their way into stores. I want nothing to do with this ‘holiday’.
5 Things to Do on Black Friday Instead of Shopping
1. Enjoy the Day Off
Assuming you do not have to return to work until Monday, enjoy Friday and slow down. Ease into the morning with a cup of coffee. On Friday morning, I won’t leave my warm bed because of an alarm clock. And when I get up, there’s apple pie to go with my coffee.
2. Declutter Ads and Catalogs
As much as I’d love to tell you it’s ok to just look at the advertisements, it’s not. Companies spend millions of dollars to encourage us to shop. Throw the newspaper ads in the recycle bin. Advertising works, so trash the advertisements. Recycle the catalogs. And if you’re feeling extra motivated, declutter a closet or two. Or unsubscribe from 10 retailers in your inbox.
3. Volunteer
Find a thrift store, soup kitchen, or church where you could volunteer for a few hours. Research several charities and make a donation to the one that speaks to you. Look for ways to give back during the holidays and make it happen!
4. Make Gifts
Each year I make homemade vanilla, hot cocoa, and brownies. All are budget-friendly and family favorites. Friday is a great day to get a head start on these gifts. No store-bought gift ever generates as much conversation as my homemade vanilla. Throughout the year, empty jars appear on my front porch for refills.
5. Make It Your Own
Whatever you do on Friday, don’t let an “early bird special” dictate your schedule. With family in town, what experience can you have together? Here are some ideas:
- Go Sledding or Skiing
- Bake Cookies
- Build a 1,000-piece puzzle
- Host Family Game Night
- Watch a Christmas Movie
- Go to a concert or movie
- Cut down a Christmas tree
- Decorate for Christmas
I’d love to hear about your Thanksgiving or Black Friday experiences.
What traditions and experiences bring joy to your holiday?
Happy Thanksgiving!
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