Five Alternatives to Black Friday Shopping
The traditions of year’s end are well on their way; we’ve pulled our sweaters out of storage, put away our jack o’lanterns and have grown used to seeing pumpkin spice everything in stores. Next up (for Americans at least): Thanksgiving! Many of us relish the thought of pulling up a chair to perhaps the best meal of the year while surrounded by friends, family and football… but far too many will have their feast cut short by a work shift.
The cultural behemoth that is Black Friday has eaten its way into Thanksgiving, a day which is supposed to mark our gratitude for what we already have. We at DPLife believe in finding joy in the little things, and to that end, here are some alternatives to the year’s biggest shopping frenzy:
Idea 1: The Great Thanksgiving Listen
Formerly known as the National Day of Listening, The Great Thanksgiving Listen is an event initiated by StoryCorps, a nonprofit devoted to building an archive of the wisdom of humanity. Sounds like a lofty endeavor, but putting it into action is as easy as downloading the StoryCorps app, using it to record a conversation with a wise person in your life (think parents, grandparents, or really anyone with a story to tell); the app will upload the recording into the StoryCorps archives, where the story’s wisdom can live on forever! Even without using the app, taking the time to listen and learn from the stories of those around us can enrich our lives far more than any physical gift.
Idea 2: Opt Outside Day
Outdoor recreational gear retailer REI’s decision to #OptOutside by paying its employees to spend the day outdoors instead of in the aisles has been lauded on social media - why not follow in their footsteps? We don’t often take the time to disconnect from our busy schedules and plug instead into God’s greatest link to us - but when we do, we rarely regret it.
Idea 3: Consumer Consciousness Day
Before hitting the shops to find the perfect gifts for our loved ones, it’s worth knowing where these gifts came from. For example, did you know that most clothing made by companies like Walmart, Old Navy and Zara are produced under terribly unsafe working conditions and for deeply undignified salaries? Instead of browsing the aisles for more stuff, consider browsing the web to learn more about how the stuff we enjoy is made. The Story of Stuff is an excellent source for concise, eye-opening content on the general subject of materialism, while the Norwegian produced web documentary “Sweatshop: Deadly Fashion” offers a more personal glimpse into the lives of those who produce our stuff.
Idea 4: Sharing Day
We all have things we need but don’t have, and have but don’t need; after spending a whole day celebrating our bounty, it only makes sense to share! Try scouring the house for things to donate or share with those who need it. (To our European readers, please consider the refugees arriving daily; they can definitely use our extra warm clothes, sleeping bags, tents and even baby carriers!) Other great options are hosting clothing swaps or repair cafés with your local neighborhood. These all help cultivate the concept of a sharing economy, which not only allows less resources to serve more people, but strengthens our sense of community - and isn’t that what this season is all about?
Idea 5: Crafting Day
Basking in the warmth of our dearest relationships and reflecting on how fortunate we are can offer the perfect motivation to bust out some art supplies and revv up that Pinterest feed (FYI, you can find us there too!) Remember, God’s greatest means of expressing love was to create - why not give it a try?
Regardless of what way we choose to spend this time, remember: greeting the day with a heart which extends outwards instead of clutching inwards is the truest ingredient for a happy holiday season.