Escape the Black Friday Madness

Run Far. Run Fast. Run Free.

The Great Black Friday Escape

Run far. Run fast. Run free. Save yourself and your family and escape Black Friday madness.

Why do They Call it Black Friday?

For most of the year, stores run in the red, meaning they are NOT making a profit, they are making losses. On the Friday after Thanksgiving, they started these incredible sales that drew shoppers out in masses. It ended up as a day the stores made a profit, bringing them into the black (gains), and out of the red (loss).

Black Friday Past

I used to love Black Friday. Thanksgiving was a day of eating good food and running around with cousins at grandma’s house on the lake. There was fishing, impromptu football, tag games, and lots of laughter. The adults would hang in the kitchen and then slowly migrate to the dock outside to catch the afternoon sun, sharing stories of their youth. The kids would run around outside, playing games. There was always a football somewhere. By Thanksgiving night the kids would be utterly exhausted, and it was time for action.

I’d tuck them into bed and then at 11:30, I’d sneak out, leaving dear husband in charge, and drive over to pick up my mom and niece, and anyone else that wanted to join the fun. We’d go to Walmart and ooh and ahh over the crowds, and then ogle at the line wrapped the store in Target. We’d watch the madness from afar, and catch a few deals along the way, fueling ourselves with caffeinated beverages to keep us awake. It was a rite of passage. I’d be home long before the kids woke up.

But now that fun is over.

The Demise of Black Friday

Each year, the stores slowly shifted their mega-sale hours. Midnight was great, but then it crept down to 10 pm, then 6 pm- encroaching into Thanksgiving family time. And now? There are businesses that have total disregard for Thanksgiving, making those Black Friday sales during Thanksgiving Day. Grr- Black Friday meant ‘Friday’, right, not Thursday noon!

Fight for Family & Thanksgiving: Power of the People

I recently found out about the power of the people- us, we have actual power over the stores! This article I read had to do with organic produce and stated when more people buy one product, it makes the stores stock that product. Same goes for not buying something. If people stop buying a product, the store loses money if it continues to stock it, so they will stop buying it (or that much of it). Yes, this is our power. Power of the people. If it works with products in stores, could it not also work with the Black Friday infringement into our Thanksgiving Family Time? It’s time for us to say ‘no’ to this Thanksgiving intrusion. The more people that stop shopping on Thursday will force these stores to rethink this whole idea.

Thanksgiving is a time to hang with your family and friends. It’s a time to count your blessings, not wait in line in a store for a flat screen smart TV. Let’s take back Thanksgiving and Family Time.

Would you consider opting out of shopping the sales on Thursday?

Opt Out of Black Friday (And Thursday too!)

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The REI sporting goods company started a trend when they announced they would be shutting down for Black Friday so that their employees could spend time with their families- and get outside. They encouraged their customers and fan base to do the same. This will not only save you money- it also can bring your family closer.

So choose to spend this Thanksgiving with family and friends. Have a family meal and a game of tag- or snowball fights for those northern folks 🙂 Play a board game together. Snuggle up with some hot chocolate and a movie that night, or light a campfire and toast marshmallows outside and enjoy the stars. Stop and enjoy your family and be thankful for all that you have now. Kids grow up fast and family members pass away. Appreciate them now.

You won’t realize this until your kids are past the toy-stage, but when your kids get older, it won’t be that trendy toy that they remember about Christmas. They will remember the Santa hats that everyone wore that one dinner or the time you all tried to make gingerbread houses that kept falling over. They’ll remember making cookies with you and passing them out to friends- or going to feed that 4-H club pig on Christmas morning 🙂

Save your money and focus on making memories. They will last a lifetime.

Get Outside on Black Friday

Enjoy that leftover turkey and make a picnic lunch to take on an outdoor adventure instead of facing the madness of stores on Black Friday. Save your money and choose to make Black Friday a family day. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Take your family for a hike. It’s free!
Take a bike ride through your neighborhood.
Autumn is a great time for a kayaking adventure. Take the family out on the river- if you live in Florida, you may even see a manatee or two!
Speaking of manatees: go manatee hunting in Florida– the only weapon required is a camera!
Explore your local state park. Our state parks offer the best opportunities for hiking, paddling, and just hanging out in the outdoors. Bring a picnic and a soccer ball or Frisbee.
Go geocaching. This is a worldwide treasure hunting game for all ages and you can play it anywhere!
Go fishing. Grab a pole & bait and head to the nearest river or lake. Bring some chairs too- it’s cold sitting on the ground this time of year!
Take a walk on the beach– they are beautiful this time of year!
Live in Florida? Our freshwater springs average a temperature of 72°F year-round- you can go swimming any season in Florida! 72° still too cold for you? They are pretty neat from above too!
or try one of these 21 things you should do with your family…