11 Things to Do on Black Friday, Besides Shop

Come Black Friday, some folks are spending cash on sales, but others are withhoding their dollars to make a statement against overconsumption and the commercialization of the holiday. 

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If you’re boycotting Black Friday or you just want to get out of the consumption cycle, we’ve got # deconsumption activities to celebrate the season. 

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1. Start on Your Mend Pile

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If you have a pile of clothes and textiles that need a hole mended or a button sewn on, spend Black Friday caring for these items to get them back in working condition.

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2. Visit Unseen Nature

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Before it gets too frigid, consider finding a new park or hike that you haven’t visited before. Enjoy late fall nature — changing leaves, mushroom identification, migratory birds — and maybe even document your findings.

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3. DIY Something

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A great way to reject consumption culture is to unplug and get hands-on with a hobby or craft. Whether you do it alone or with friends, consider starting that project you’ve been daydreaming about.

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4. Take a Class

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Learning a new skill or craft is a great way to celebrate deconsumption. Even better, it’s a memorable way to connect with the community. Look at local community centers and skills spaces to find a class you’re interested in.

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5. Gift a Service

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Gifts of service are some of our favorites. Everyone is good at something, and that’s something you can help someone else with. If you’re good at tech, help someone less tech-savvy purge their email or set up a new device. Good at organizing? Help someone straighten up their pantry. We have plenty more ideas for gifts of service.

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6. Save Your Seeds

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If you’ve still got seed pods rattling around in your garden, save the seeds while you can! It’s very therapeutic and rewarding to go into your own garden and save seeds to plant in spring.

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7. Deep Clean

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If deep cleaning is one way you like to relax, we get it! It’s a great way to care for and appreciate your space and your things. This is an excellent time of year to get in a deep clean, before full-on holiday coziness. 

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8. Unsubscribe from Sale Emails

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A great way to commemorate Black Friday is to purge your inbox of brands that send overconsumption emails. You can also delete their apps and unfollow them on social media. This will go a long way to helping curb overconsumption.

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9. Declutter and Donate

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If you’re overwhelmed with stuff, you’re not alone. Rather than buy more, consider going through your closet, pantry, or junk drawers to pull out things you don’t need or want. Sort them into piles: donate, recycle, sell, and trash. 

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You can give items away in your neighborhood Buy Nothing group, sell them on a secondhand marketplace, or find a way to recycle them responsibly. 

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10. Volunteer

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'Tis the season of giving back! Whatever you’re passionate about — food, art, clothes — there’s an organization in your community helping to make that thing accessible to folks who need it. Research local orgs, and sign up for a shift!

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11. Do Nothing

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Perhaps the most deconsumption-y thing you can do on Black Friday is nothing at all. Stash your phone, unplug your internet, and just hang out. Whether with friends or by yourself, enjoy the company of other people, pets, or a great book.