10 awesome things you can do on Black Friday instead of shopping
- Go on a hike. (This year, California’s parks are all free on Black Friday!)
- Call your friends (especially the ones that are far away) and tell them how thankful you are for their friendship. Be specific about why you appreciate them. After all, isn’t this holiday about giving thanks? I tried this on Yom Kippur (except to apologize rather than give thanks) and it made the holiday especially meaningful for me.
3. Write a letter to your governor about supporting Syrian refugees. Thanksgiving celebrates when the pilgrims — refugees from religious persecution — were welcomed into this country by Native Americans (at least thats how the story goes). Help your governor see the connection with a thoughtful letter — and practice your penmanship while you’re at it.
4. Read that book you’ve been meaning to get to for ages. Sit down and read it. All of it. You have time today. Feel smug about people trampling each other for televisions.
5. Go on a walk with your family. It doesn’t have to be a hike, just a chance to amble and talk. Find out whats been going on in their lives. Maybe its just a walk around your neighborhood, or to a local stream. Appreciate the end of fall.
6. Try one of these Thanksgiving leftover recipes.
7. Pick up one of your childhood hobbies again. If you’re like me, you’ll be back in the home you grew up in for Thanksgiving. Remember that clarinet you haven’t touched in 8 years? That drawing pad from when you used to take art classes? Rediscover those old hobbies, even if you suck at them now.
8. Make homemade gifts for Chanukah & Christmas. Here is a pretty good list of easy DIY gifts that don’t suck. I like the build-your-own fort kit.
9. Volunteer. Find your local food bank, homeless shelter, or favorite political cause and give something back after the holiday of plenty. This site connects you with volunteer opportunities around what you care about.
10. Look at these photos of possessions from around the world by photojournalist Peter Menzel. Be thankful for all that you already have. You don’t need to go shopping today, I promise.
