5 Fun-Filled Black Friday Activities That Don’t Involve Shopping

Traditionally, Black Friday is all about getting up early to score the best deals on items like toys or electronics. However, not everyone is thrilled at the idea of going out of their way to find a bargain. With that in mind, we’ve brought you five Black Friday activities that don’t involve shopping. Read them over to see which suggestion might be the best fit for you.

These 5 Black Friday activities are way better than standing in line for hours

1. Decorate your home for the upcoming holiday season

If your goal is to stay out of the stores this year, you should plan to engage in another activity to keep yourself busy during the day. One way to do that is to break out your decorations and get set up for the coming holiday season.

Keep in mind that decorating for the holiday season doesn’t have to involve spending money on new string lights or the latest blow-up displays. Instead, you can reuse existing decorations that you already own or you can craft your own out of some art supplies that you have on hand.

Either way, put some Christmas carols on the radio and make an activity out of decorating for the holidays. Consider shaking things up by putting each of your decorations in a new spot this year. Then, when you’re finished, congratulate yourself by indulging in a sweet, holiday-appropriate treat.

2. Have a binge-worthy movie or TV marathon

If you don’t feel like decorating, another option is to engage in a movie or TV marathon. After all, most of us could use a break after the hectic frenzy of activity that occurs on Thanksgiving day. During times like those, there’s no better way to spend the day than on the couch watching some of your favorite shows.

On the one hand, you could make the theme of your TV or movie marathon fit the season. You could watch all those sappy, made-for-TV movies about a girl who goes back to her hometown and finds her true love. Or, you could watch all of the holiday-themed episodes from your favorite sitcoms. However, on the other hand, you could also devote the day to re-watching your favorite series or a classic movie franchise.

Either way, make sure you do your marathon day justice by making sure to wear your softest clothes, cuddle up with tons of blankets and pillows, and serve plenty of snacks.

3. Host a Friendsgiving potluck

That said if you want to do something a little bit more social on Black Friday, hosting a Friendsgiving potluck might be the perfect solution. Simply ask your closest friends to join you for a meal where everyone brings a dish to share with the group. If you want to stick to the holiday theme, you could even ask everyone to come up with a dish that repurposes those famous Thanksgiving leftovers.

All told, Friendsgiving is usually a more laid-back affair than the traditional Thanksgiving meal. By asking everyone to contribute equally to the celebrations, hosting the event should be a breeze. All you need to do is provide the location for good conversation and seasonal celebrations.

4. Play board games with the whole family

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for something to keep younger children occupied, a day filled with playing board games might just be the answer. Feel free to break out the classics from when you were a kid (here’s looking at you, Monopoly) or invest in some newer ones that may pique their interests faster. However, whichever route you ultimately choose, we’re betting that every member of the family will be caught up in the spirit of friendly competition before the day is through.

5. Volunteer your time for a good cause (the polar opposite of more traditonal Black Friday activities)

Lastly, if you really want to spend the day engaging in the opposite of consumer culture, consider volunteering your time for a good cause. Don’t just stick to serving meals at a local soup kitchen either. While those organizations are usually overrun with volunteers around Thanksgiving, many other charities will need a hand. With that in mind, pick a cause that is close to your heart and give them a call to see how you can help.

The bottom line on these alternative Black Friday activities

While Black Friday has become synonymous with consumerism, it doesn’t have to be that way in your home. Instead, you can choose to spend your time in a way that feels more valuable to you. Whether it’s spending time with loved ones, assisting with a good cause, or engaging in some self-care, any of the above Black Friday activities will ensure that you get what you need this holiday season.