Opting Out Of Black Friday | Thankfulness November

Opting Out Of Black Friday

It always struck me as odd that the most grateful day in the United States is followed by the greediest day starting at the stroke of midnight. The night before we would be discussing what we’re grateful for over the Thanksgiving meal, and a few hours later hordes of people would descend upon department stores to trample over each other to get to the latest gadgets. With the digital age of ordering online, it’s not as bad as it used to be, but stores are busy and overconsumption is still happening on a large scale.

I don’t want to shame anyone, especially people who rely on sales for their holiday shopping. Life is expensive and I don’t blame anyone for wanting to save money on items they need or for things that their children want. I’m just disillusioned by the overconsumption of the day and also how so many of the “deals” are just scams. People can really use a break right now and if people can find items they need for a good price, then I’m happy for them. But I do think we can do this better.

Instead of supporting major corporations we can support small businesses, artists and organizations. Instead of gifting material things, we can gift experiences like passes to museums and science centers. For gifts we can think outside the box like gifting meal kits or food plans from local farms. Most items we buy are not needed urgently; instead of ordering from Amazon we can plan ahead and order from smaller businesses that may take a little longer to ship. Small changes in the way we spend our money can have a profound impact on the environment, working conditions of people, and on small businesses and the workforce. Most of all, we can skip the items we already know are not made well. Cheap plastic items that break and end up in landfills. We can choose so much better.

The surprising truth is that most shopping deals can be found after Black Friday, not during the day itself. This year I want to encourage you to opt out of Black Friday. You will find better deals closer to the holidays. And if you’re getting something for you, consider waiting until after the holiday season when almost everything will be on clearance. You’ll save so much money and stress if you wait until after the holiday rush. Stores will have overstocked items they need to offload. And most items people shop for at this time of year are not urgent needs. It can wait.

A lot of impulse buying happens this season. I’m certainly guilty of it. Asking myself a few questions before making a purchase has really helped me put things down and really think about it. If you do end up shopping this season, I want you to ask yourself two things; One.) Will the item I am buying last? It is often worth it to spend a little more on a higher quality item that will last and not need to be replaced. I can attest to this. A couple years ago I bought a new DVD player off Amazon. It was cheap and compact and got the job done, even though it made a funny humming noise sometimes. Well, it died a month ago. I noticed over the past few months that my movies were skipping. At first, I thought it was the discs, but they were fine. My DVD player just couldn’t read them anymore until one day it just stopped. I ended up spending a little more at the store than I wanted to, but I got a trusted brand that is known to last and I’m hoping I’ll never have to replace it.

And Two.) Will I really need/use this item? Not everything is a need, I know. A lot of what I shop for are wants, and that is ok. Like the lamps in my kitchen. Do I really need little lamps for the kitchen counters? No, but they do brighten the kitchen and helps me see better when I’m cooking at night. It’s not a necessity or a need, but it certainly makes life easier at home and more joyful. Most of all, it is useful. Not every purchase is a need, but many can be very useful and used often.

Instead of Black Friday Shopping…

This Black Friday, I encourage you to skip it if you can. Or if you do shop during the day, make sure to only get what you need. You will be helping more than just the environment; you will be protecting your peace this holiday season. Picture it; instead of rushing to crowded stores or wasting time online looking for deals, you can be spending time with your family. You can be enjoying your Thanksgiving leftovers.

Instead of shopping on Black Friday, you can go for a hike. I like to call these “gratitude walks.” Spend time in nature. Go solo or with a friend or a whole group of family members and take in the fresh air and quality time. Instead of shopping, enjoy an experience together like going to an ice-skating rink, stopping by your local library if they’re open, or catching a show at a local cinema. Put on some music and dance around the living room with your loved ones. Snuggle with your pets or take your dog for a walk around the neighborhood.

With all the saved time you can bake a delicious treat or work on that hobby or craft you’ve been wishing you had more time for. Put together a puzzle or play a favorite board game. Several rounds of Uno goes over well with my family, or we set up the Jumbo Sequence game board on the kitchen table. My cousins love to meet up to go bowling or enjoy a round of Pickleball. While protecting your peace, perhaps you have time to paint or work on your holiday cards. You can decorate for the next holiday or cuddle up with a blanket in a cozy spot and read a book. Have a Mario Cart racing competition with your oved ones. Or finally, you have time to catch up on that laundry and put away your summer clothes for the winter. Maybe you’re feeling energized and want to hit up the gym for a good work out or go for a bike ride before it gets too cold.

Whatever you decide to do this Thanksgiving season, know that you can choose how you spend your free time. You can opt out of Black Friday this year in order to opt into something more joyful and uplifting.