Considering the fact that in 2019 84.2 million people shopped IN PERSON on the day, I think it’s safe to say that people love Black Friday.
Is it the savings? Or something more?
It’s not actually the savings so much as the exhilaration of the competition, the hunt, and the score. Maybe it’s the camaraderie or tradition that has entire extended family units venturing out into the dark of night to fight other families — Hunger Games cornucopia style — for discounted toys and electronics.
Either way, I am NOT not into it.
Having properly participated in Black Friday twice in my life, I feel perfectly at liberty to declare myself team #noblackfriday. Even if the overstimulation didn’t send me into tic mode (thanks Tourette’s!) I would find the anxiety of the day difficult to deal with, much less enjoy.
If participating in the melee at the mall is something you enjoy, then I wish you the best of luck!
If you need ideas for something fun to do with your family post Turkey Day, check out the list below.
DECORATE FOR CHRISTMAS
This was my family’s tradition while I was growing up. We enjoyed Thanksgiving and then spent the entire weekend putting up all of our Christmas decor and lavishly decorating our yard with lights. My sisters and I would do our own house and then go to my Grandmother’s house to join my cousins and decorate her house.
We usually spent the entire weekend at her house — 10 cousins together — and the memories we made arguing over who had to untangle the lights and which movie we would watch that evening have long since overshadowed the actual holiday.
MOVIE MARATHON
The day after Thanksgiving is probably the best day of the year to sit around and watch movies. There’s no cooking to do because of all the leftovers, and Hallmark has already started their Countdown to Christmas 24/7 marathon. If I might make a recommendation though, watching the entire Lord of The Rings trilogy and all three Hobbit movies goes particularly well with first and second breakfasts, elevensies, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner, and supper.
BOARD GAME EXTRAVAGANZA
For the same reasons listed above, Black Friday is a fantastic opportunity to spend some quality time with your extended family by cheating at Scrabble. Fair Warning: many a family fight included playing Monopoly with cousins. Risk is also risky.
HOUSE PURGE
For those of you who like to zig when others zag, purging your house of unwanted items is a fantastic way to clear your head and your space before going into the season of excess. Besides, any time is a good time to donate gently used items to charity.
Let us know what you think! Are you team #blackfriday or #noblackfriday?
Looking for other fun family activities or planning to buy your Christmas tree?
