While hordes of shoppers will head to the stores on Black Friday, some may want to use the day off to do something completely unrelated to shopping. Here are five activities to consider doing on Black Friday that don't involve heading out to the stores or downloading a mobile shopping app.
While hordes of shoppers will head to the stores on Black Friday to score deals, savvy folks may want to use the day off to do something completely unrelated to shopping.
If that sounds like you, take advantage of Black Friday in a completely different way. Spend the day doing something enjoyable, such as taking on a project that takes advantage of the free time afforded to you by the long weekend.
Here are five activities to consider doing on Black Friday that don’t involve heading out to the stores or downloading a mobile shopping app.
Make homemade gifts. Black Friday can be a great day to make progress on homemade gifts, including jellies, jams, pickled vegetables and soup mixes you make yourself. Or consider working on art projects to give as gifts.
Whatever you decide to craft for others, just make sure you have the materials set aside to complete them, then spend Black Friday making those items. Get out the canning supplies to make some preserves or head out to the garage to work on a set of custom wooden blocks for your toddler nephew. The possibilities are endless, limited only by your interests and your imagination, and Black Friday provides a great day to make progress on any such projects you have in mind. (Thinkstock)
[See: 12 Ways to Be a More Mindful Spender.]
(Getty Images/iStockphoto/victoriya89)
Getty Images/iStockphoto/victoriya89
Spend time with family and friends. Many people travel to visit family during Thanksgiving weekend as it provides the longest consecutive period of days off from work in their busy schedules. Don’t let that opportunity go to waste by spending it running from shop to shop or eyeing your smart phone.
Instead, leave your phone in a drawer and dig out that old board game you used to play with your brother when you were kids. Sit down next to your grandpa and talk to him for an hour or two about life in general. Help your aunt finish off a bottle of wine over some great dinner table conversation. Help your niece braid her hair. Take advantage of the fact that you’re around family and friends whom you don’t see very often. Actually spend quality time with them.
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Make and address holiday cards. Even if sending out holiday cards isn’t a part of your holiday tradition, consider a different approach this year. Get some “blank on the inside” cards and spend Black Friday writing short notes to people in your life who have had a positive impact on you.
Simply thank them for what they have done to make your life better. Write one to each of your mentors in your school days and in your career. Write one to each relative that went out of his or her way to help you along the way. Write one to members of your community who did something to help put you on a better path in your life.
Even if you’re only able to write a few, just think of the way the recipients will feel when they open the card and read it. It’s a small thing that you can do to have a tremendous positive impact on someone’s life. (Thinkstock)
[See: 10 Fun, Frugal Ways to Spend Your Free Time.]
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Make some meals in advance. If you’re sticking around the house on Black Friday, perhaps with a few family members, get everyone together to make some meals in advance. You can do this for yourself to fill your freezer or you could do it for an older relative who could really use the help.
Just gather a few relatives in the kitchen and work together (or work solo) to make some assembly line meals that are easy to freeze. You can meal prep while having a bunch of conversations about family, life and culture while filling up your grandparents’ freezer with meals that will be easy for them to prepare in the coming months.
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Curl up and read a good book or binge-watch a favorite television show. This is a great default choice, as it’s a fantastic way to relax and enjoy a day of downtime while recharging yourself in advance of a busy December.
Just grab a book that you’ve been wanting to read for a while and park yourself in a comfortable chair for a long reading session. Or fire up Netflix and pick a series to watch. Just take the day off and do something relaxing and simple from the comfort of home.
(Thinkstock)
