Ongoing linky parties: Motivation Monday and Fabulously Frugal Thursdays.
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Because this holiday season is going to be a bit crazier than past years for a variety of reasons, I’ve decided to completely skip Black Friday. And Cyber Monday. I’ve already ordered my family calendars. I’m making cookies for various people. When I do go out to buy gifts, I’m buying local on Small Business Saturday. I will go through my Gift Box to see what I have stashed away from frugal finds during the year.
I am staying home on Black Friday and making Papa Bill’s Butter Cookies with the kids. We’ll stay in our jammies all day. The kids can play their new favorite game, Apples to Apples. Maybe I’ll ask my husband and oldest son to set up the Christmas lights for me.
What to do the Day after Thanksgiving
- Call a family member who couldn’t make it to Thanksgiving Dinner
- Make breakfast with your kids
- Set up a painting table for the kids
- Have the kids design this year’s Christmas card
- Write notes to people that helped you in the past 2 weeks
- Clean out the pantry and pack up a bag for the local food pantry
- Talk about your holiday plans with your family, and write them on the calendar. And, don’t add anything else.
- Make a batch of cookies and give them to the neighbors
- Invite the neighborhood kids over for milk and cookies
I’m calling the Friday after Thanksgiving – Family Day. Will you join me?
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Because I love meeting new people and sharing, this post is linked to:
Thoughtful Thursday, Show Off Your Stuff, Simple Lives, Thrifty Thursday, Your Green Resource, Mom of 6: Getting Ready for the Holidays, Frugal Friday, Thought Provoking Thursday
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Barb, this is a wonderful post. I love your ideas on what to do the day after Thanksgiving. Baking cookies with the kids sounds like a great idea!
Thank you!
I am on the fence with skipping it. My husband might be going away so I cant go. But I love your ideas. Great fun! thanks as usual Barb you make me think out side the box.
Sherry recently posted..Hot Iron Holster Review
Aw, thank you!
I’ll be skipping it too! I’m going to use the day after Thanksgiving to make Christmas gifts with the kids for family members.
Jessica recently posted..What I am skipping for the holidays this year
This is such an inspiration! I hate shopping so it is always a pleasure for me to skip Black Friday. I love the idea of doing it with such intention.
Shannon @ GrowingSlower recently posted..12 Gift Ideas for the Real Food Cook
Nice post! We go to a big family gathering out of town and stay for Friday, too, so it’s a family day for us with no shopping. In the last few years, one cousin has been working retail, so the only way she can travel to Thanksgiving is to arrange to work Black Friday at a different location of her department store–she is required to work that day! She always comes back to us in the evening looking dazed, and we’re all glad we weren’t out there in the shopping mayhem.
‘Becca recently posted..Pumpkin Burritos
We do Buy Nothing Day on Black Friday. We are in need of a low key weekend, so we are opting out of the hype again this year.
Becky recently posted..Let’s Talk Turkey ebook Review
We’re with you: have been doing Buy Nothing Day for several years now. Stepped it up the past two years by putting up adbusters’ posters in key locations (like school parking lots). Find them here: http://www.adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd
CelloMom recently posted..Volkswagen Polo, 53 MPG: Look ma, no batteries!
Thank you for posting something other than the best deals or when to stand in line at what store, etc. I love the idea of enjoying the day & making it something personal.
Krystyna @ Spring Mountain recently posted..Donate your fat pants to Santa: A guide to healthy holiday eating
Thank you! I like to keep the day quiet. I never really got into getting out early for the deals.
I love the ideas you shared of what to do the day after Thanksgiving. We usually put up the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving and watch movies. We have tried Black Friday once before and decided we like online shopping or casual shopping instead!
Tabitha recently posted..Preparing Our Heart and Home for the Holidays – Finalize the Grocery List
I agree… Black Friday is a great day to focus on family time and family traditions! It’s the day we always put up the Christmas decor and share favorite homemade holiday treats.
Tami @ Around the Table with Tami recently posted..Simply Fresh Cinnamon Rolls
Well Barb- while I love your idea…. I must admit that I am not going to join you for this one!
Personally I love that I can get my shopping in at a ridiculously early hour and still be home in time for breakfast with my kids on Black Friday. I like that we can snuggle up on the couch all day long, playing cards, watching football, while I finish up my Black Friday shopping online (and perhaps taking a delicious mid-afternoon nap too!) But what I like best is that I am done with my holiday shopping on this one day, and can enjoy a shopping-free December!
Thanks so much for linking up with “What I Am Skipping this Year!!
Sharon at Momof6 recently posted..Getting Ready for the Holidays: What I Am Skipping this Year
LOL! I do love the idea of getting the shopping done online instead of hitting the stores.
Really great tips – thank you for recognizing the importance of this! I am posting on it also next week
A Young Family’s Pursuit to a Life of Simplicity & Contentment
http://www.ourfrontporchview.blogspot.com
beth | our front porchview recently posted..25 MORE Ideas for a Simpler, Greener, More Intentional Christmas
Wonderful! I look forward to reading your post!
I am not a really big Black Friday person. Like you I would rather hang with the kids and just have fun. I do a thankgiving dinner just for our little family.
Once again, thanks for co-hosting the Thrifty thursday rewind
Momma and boys living on a budget recently posted..Thrifty Thursday rewind November 15
love it! now, i probably will do a little BF shopping but mostly to spend time with a dear friend. i am definitely going to do the jammies, baking, games and pantry things though. what a wonderful day!