Two Reasons for Shopping the Weekend After Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving for so many reasons; family, fall, friends, good food, laughter, thankfulness, family karaoke; you get the picture. Something I have a really like- hate relationship with though, the days after; Black Friday, Cyber Monday….

As someone who values sustainability, ethics, not over consuming, Black Friday weekend should be an obvious NO for me. However, I have landed in an interesting spot. I can see actual value in shopping the weekend after Thanksgiving. Here’s why…

My Two Reasons

1. Supporting Small Businesses… Early :

Instead of shopping the ‘huge’ sales happening with big retailers, (Insider Info: Most of these ‘big sales’ only appear so because the prices are inflated before the holidays to make you think you’re getting deals), I will shop with local businesses, whether online or virtually. Because it is Black Friday weekend, they may be offering deals as well. And while saving money is important, another factor to shopping these small businesses this particular weekend, especially this year, is that it’s “EARLY”. Early is relative, I suppose. Serious shoppers started in September, but for most of the general public, the weekend following Thanksgiving is THE time to start Christmas shopping. By accomplishing much of my shopping early, I can invest in the small businesses early, as they are also racking up expenses this time of year. I can contribute towards confidence that they WILL make it through this year. I can get behind THAT.

2. Shopping Ethical Brands Becomes More Economical

I’ve said it here before, but its worth repeating: Shopping sustainably typically means shopping VERY little at all, and when you do, it is first, shopping secondhand, then, brands made ethically. Often times brands that are made in fair wage, safe, ethical, factories must charge higher prices than the general public is use to paying. This is because the humans making your clothes are being paid an amount of money they can live and survive on rather than cents a day. I sound intense, but my friends, we must stop saying things are “too expensive” when most of the upper middle class folks saying that are willing to spend the same amount, IF they can buy 6 things instead of 1. It all has to do with over consumption; thinking we need so much more than we truly do, and then acting on it.

Now, if you have been attempting to make more ethical and sustainable choices in your wardrobe and home, firstly, YAY, thats amazing. Secondly, it’s possible you may have discovered some gaps in your closet or home that you would like to fill with ethically made items; a good pair of jeans that will last, sheets made with an organic, natural, fibers, etc. However, you have noticed these items are outside of your budget, so you have been saving. THIS is a time where I would say shop a black Friday sale from an ethically made brand. They will be offering lower prices, and thus, allowing you more of an opportunity to purchase within your budget. I DO NOT recommend mindlessly shopping and clicking whatever email you receive on Thursday evening. I suggest going in with a plan. If you want a pair of jeans, you’ve been saving your money, and now they are extra discounted, then that could be a wise decision. This weekend is a good opportunity to invest in the brands you’ve been wanting to try.

Overall, remember, spending money is like voting with your dollars, so vote for a world you want to see. Be wise, don’t buy things you don’t need, and support local and small businesses.

Happy Thanksgiving, Y’all!

xx,

M.F.F.