Since its inception there’s been pandemonium on Black Friday as uncountable shoppers go haywire in pursuit of savings on consumer items.
But does this have to be the paradigm of our holiday culture? How can we shift our psychology here, and reconfigure the day after Thanksgiving to represent a more progressive vibe? Green Friday anyone?
To begin with, many state and federal parks will be free to the public this year. The National Park Service website lists, by state, the names of participating parks. California, for example, offers access to 116 parks throughout the state. To be honest, many of the parks in California will probably sell out of available free passes. But the sentiment is still good. As it states on the Green Friday website, “Thanksgiving is about spending time with friends and family, and appreciating our many shared blessings. State parks are uniquely suited for both! Experience joy, renewal and inspiration among our natural wonders.”
If you do have the urge to buy things on the gnarliest consumer day of the year look for businesses that stand for something. Patagonia, for instance, is stepping way up and donating 100% of sales on Black Friday to “grassroots organizations working in local communities to protect our air, water and soil for future generations.”
sources and links:
https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks-state.htm
http://www.patagonia.com/blog/2016/11/100-percent-today-1-percent-every-day/