Today is Black Friday. You may or may not have gone shopping at 4:00 this morning. I know that my sister was at a store before the sun was up because she literally started a retail job TODAY. Poor girl.
Anyway, today I want to bring your attention to the reason for the season. No, it’s not (necessarily) Jesus. It’s love and peace and giving. Here are some ways you can embrace love and peace and giving without going to the mall:
- Donate time, money, or gently used items to a charity, soup kitchen, or family in need during the season. Make it a family tradition.
- Make gifts: Make a delicious food item, put it on a pie plate from a thrift store, and include a note that the dish is theirs to keep or regift to someone else. This is a nearly zero-waste gift. If baking or cooking isn’t your thing, consider making bath scrubs (in repurposed glass jars!), or make creative art pieces.
- Spend time together: Spend time with your family and friends during the holidays, just catching up or doing something you enjoy like seeing a movie or treating yourself to a favorite restaurant.
- Offer your services: Offer to do the dishes after the holiday meal, or spend some time watching your relatives’ or friends’ kids so the parents can get some time alone. Every minute you spend helping someone else is a minute they get to themselves, and that is a wonderful gift to give.
These are just a few ideas for keeping the focus on family and love around the holidays. Share more ideas in the comments!
What are your favorite things-that-aren’t-things to get in the holiday season?
Caitlin Liz Fisher 
I love giving and receiving things that are hand made. Paintings, writing, drawing, videos.
It’s a great thing! Last year I gave everyone paintings 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
This year I’m giving everyone something from one of those categories… But I don’t want to give away which one… I want to keep it a surprise!
I enjoy giving things that will be useful. This year the theme for the little ones are craft supplies, games, and handmade items. Last year my kids got their families together to surprise me with a family portrait, that was the best gift they could ever have given me. Being as they live just over 100 miles apart and have completely different work schedules it showed how much thought and planning had to go into that gift.
Aww that is a really thoughtful gift!
Hi! I just found my way here from Miss Minimalist. I’m “born again” as well–in fact, my hubby and I are reformed hoarders! 😉
To celebrate Black Friday this year, we actually took a carload to Goodwill.
That is an awesome way to celebrate Black Friday!
What a kick-in-the-pants-to-consumerism way to spend Black Friday! This is officially being added to my yearly list.
I think you really hit on target with the reason for the season.. sharing love and time with loved ones and others! Great post.
Thank you!
I love decorating Christmas cookies with my nieces and nephews. It’s been a fun tradition.