10 Tips for a More Mindful Black Friday

It's that time of year where we gorge ourselves on food, then follow that up with fighting the crowds to save a few dollars on products that were often made with sweatshop labor 1/2 way around the world, only to end up in a landfill in a few years where it won't biodegrade.

Black Friday to me represents all that is wrong with our consumerist society.  I get that times are tough and families want to spend as little as possible on holiday gifts this year.  But focusing on hitting sales rather than buying less, or focusing on creating happy memories with those we love is really missing the point.  We need to quit focusing on how to get more stuff and instead focus on buying less, buying from socially and ecologically reponsible companies when we do buy...even if it costs more, and spending more quality time with our friends and family.  So here are my tips for having a more mindful Black Friday.

Ways to have a more mindful Black Friday:

1. Participate in Buy Nothing Day - This is the greenest option.  Stay home.  Enjoy your family.  Eat left overs.
2. Visit your local occupy movement - if you can't spend the day with them, take them food, warm drinks, propane tanks for their heaters, etc.  Take them whatever supplies they need to keep going.  Or just stop by to let them know you support them.  Talk to your children about the importance of standing up for the people, of speaking truth to power.  
3. Go volunteer at a local soup kitchen.  Many organizations get many volunteers on Thanksgiving, but they feed the hungry 364 other days of the year where many of them have a shortage of volunteers and food.  Take your children with you and teach them to be grateful for what they have during this time of year when so many are focused on getting more "stuff" for Christmas.
4. Go through your closets and pull warm clothing, blankets etc. you can donate to the homeless who are living in the cold.
5. Warm a plate or two of leftovers and take them to a homeless encampment.  Get to know the real people who are hurting this time of year and let them know they aren't forgotten.
6. Sign the Petition to "Tell Target to Save Thanksgiving" - buy openning at Midnight Thanksgiving evening, workers must be there at 11pm, and if they hope to get any sleep before working, they have to sleep through Thanksgiving rather than spend it with their families.  My stepson is one of those workers, and our family is one of those families affected.  Don't wait until Black Friday to sign this petition.  By then it's too late.  Do it today.  Do it now.  Minimum wage workers don't get many perks.  They should at least be able to spend one of the few holidays the store is closed with their families.
7. Instead of buying a gift donate to a local nonprofit - In this economy most nonprofits have seen their budgest slashed.  Regardless of whether they get their money from the governement, foundations, or individual donors, almost every nonprofit in the country is struggling.  Instead of shopping for a "stuff" to give someone, give a gift to a local nonprofit.

1. Shop from local independent stores, preferably in your downtown. They keep their profits in the community and are often better stewards of the community.  Vital downtowns are integral to a healthy community.  And in many cities and towns they are dying.  Supporting businesses in your downtown helps your community as a whole. 
2. Shop online -  Preferably from stores that are minority or woman-owned, eco-friendly and/or fair trade.  Buying online from a mega store like Amazon is no more mindful than driving across town to Walmart or Target.
3. Buy gift certificates for experiences rather than stuff

Are there other ways you try to be more mindful on Black Friday?  If so, please share them in the comments.