5 Things to Do on Black Friday Instead of Shopping

You’ve probably already started seeing Black Friday ads popping up across social media or on TV. Black Friday - and more recently “cyber Monday” - shifts our focus away from other holiday traditions to shopping, spending, and consuming. Plus, buying things we don’t need can be harmful to the environment - think of all of the packaging waste and resources that go into creating new products for consumers to buy. Here at Sustainable Campus, we wholeheartedly embrace a minimalist approach to the holiday season and we’re here to set the record straight: living a sustainable lifestyle does not involve buying things (not even cute mason jars or recycled shoes or trendy canvas bags). The first step toward living sustainably is buying and consuming less and using and appreciating what you have. 

So, in the spirit of being present this holiday season and living sustainably all year ‘round, here are 5 fun things to do on Black Friday that don’t involve buying things:

Hang out with your pets

Given the choice between shuffling through a crowded mall and cuddling our pets, we’d pick our pets every time. If you don’t have pets of your own, volunteer to play with some deserving cuties at your local animal shelter!

Go on an outdoor adventure 

Nothing could be farther from a crowded mall than a beautiful nature trail. Spend some time at a local park - bonus points for bringing your family or friends with you! The outdoors can remind us why we choose to live sustainably in the first place - it’s a beautiful world out there. Let’s enjoy it!

Create something

Whether it’s a cute needlepoint design, a watercolor painting, a poem, or a homemade tie dye t-shirt, take some time to create something that makes you happy. Share the happiness by gifting what you made to someone you love! 

Clean out your room or house

Nothing reminds us how much we don’t need new things like cleaning out our old things. Go through your closet, your room, or your house, and see what you can donate! Make Marine Kondo proud.

Nap

Straight up just stay in bed and catch up on sleep. As far as we’re concerned, this is an awesome alternative to shopping (and probably plenty of other stuff too).