It goes without saying that practically everyone loves wining and dining on Thanksgiving. As for the subsequent Black Friday shopping? That may be an entirely different story. While this popular shopping day is excellent for snagging serious deals, some of us just want to stay home on Black Friday. This is especially true if you just finished hosting a dinner... or four. Planning Turkey Day meals and decor is a lot of work, after all.
Fortunately, skipping out on Black Friday is pretty easy these days. Thanks to Cyber Monday and the accessibility of online shopping, it's not necessary to go on a post-dinner jaunt in order to snag some deals. Admittedly, it's fun to make a night out of it. But who says you can't have a good time right in your own home? And with the growing popularity of making handmade gifts, it's not uncommon to take it easy on Black Friday.
Regardless of your thoughts and opinions on the day, you can't deny how nice it is to lay low after a full course meal. If you're looking for excuses to opt out of Aunt Sue's infamous 2 a.m. shopping spree, look no further. Here are seven activities that are way better than shopping on Black Friday.
1. Make A Thanksgiving Burrito
Once the Thanksgiving feast has come and gone, there's a good chance that you'll be left with a collection of delicious leftovers. There's an even better chance that you'll get sick of continuously packaging those leftovers into a boring turkey sandwich. Instead of settling for such nonsense, make yourself a glorious Thanksgiving burrito. You can use everything from the cranberry sauce to the stuffing to make this amazing concoction. No one gets left behind at this party.
This dish also beats anything you'll ever find at the mall. Scrumptious food without the long lines? Count me in.
2. Re-Decorate For The Next Holiday
If you're the type to start thinking about Christmas in July, Black Friday is the best time to get started on the next round of decor. To make things feel extra wintry, trade the oranges and browns for colors like blue, green, and white. We also can't forget about the metallic, glitter, and everything in between.
While you're avoiding the Black Friday masses, scour Pinterest for best DIY holiday decorations. There's nothing quite like getting inspired while sipping leftover Thanksgiving wine.
3. Research Cyber Monday Deals
Planning to shop the post-Thanksgiving sales? Consider ditching Black Friday for Cyber Monday. While the latter requires postage fees and shipping time, it beats wrestling hoards of deranged shoppers. Thanks to Cyber Monday, you can browse from the peace and quiet of your own home. Heck, you can even wear pajamas (or no pajamas) while you do so.
Instead of trekking into the scary land of Black Friday, research the best sales coming up. This way, you'll be ready to click on over the moment Monday hits. That extra bit of prep work will not only save you time, but increase the chances of scoring exactly what you wanted.
4. Make Holiday Gifts
In an effort to save money, it's not uncommon for people to ditch the mall, and make their own holiday gifts. Black Friday (and the rest of the long weekend) is the perfect chance to get started. Once you recover from the "itis," that is.
Haven't planned your holiday crafting list yet? Take a minute to hash out everything you want to create for your friends and family. Here's a tip: choose a project that can be made in bulk. Your best bet is to opt for something that can be easily customized on an individual basis.
These painted feather pens are the perfect example. Both the feathers and pens can be bought in bulk. Next, paint each one according to the recipient's style and taste. Easy, inexpensive, and cute. Love!
5. Fine-Tune Your Winter Vacation
If you're lucky enough to have a vacation on your winter agenda, use this time to hash out the details. Make a list of sights to see and things to do. Remember, Google is your friend, and Yelp has your back. If you're armed with an action plan, you'll be able to make the most of your winter getaway.
Even if you're on the more spontaneous side, creating a loose itinerary will still work to your advantage. Find out the most interesting areas to explore, and just go for it.
6. Soak Up The Last Of Autumn
We've been waiting all year to feel those autumn feels. And now that it's on the way out, it's not a bad idea to enjoy what's left of it. Winter will be here before we know it, friends. With some parts of the country already experiencing snowfall, Thanksgiving is another reminder to thoroughly enjoy each season as it comes and goes.
Skip the stores, and take a trip to a nearby park or lake. Soak up the goodness of the crisp cool air, and let that turkey digest. It's the best time to take a breather after all that Thanksgiving prep.
7. Relax!
While we're on the topic of taking a breather, let's talk about de-stressing during the holidays. Whether you just sat through an awkward family dinner or hosted your first Friendsgiving, you deserve some serious leisure time. Especially if you're planning to do it all over again next month.
As always, the sky's the limit when it comes to downtime. Catch up on your favorite blogs, read a book, or take a soothing bubble bath. Sit back, relax, and enjoy every bit of it. What's the mall again?
For more awesome Thanksgiving ideas, check out Bustle on YouTube.
Images: Pexels; Kirsten Nunez; Giphy; Pexels; Kirsten Nunez; Pexels; Boss Fight; Fotolia
