If you’re like us, Black Friday, the day synonymous with shopping sprees and crowded malls, fills you with dread. Not only the hustle and bustle and endless lines, but also the queasy feeling of pressure to take part in one of the biggest shopping events of the year.

This year, at Climate First Bank we’re thinking outside the box to find an alternative perspective. Explore some of the different unconventional and meaningful activities we’ve dreamt up to make the most out of your Black Friday, sans the shopping frenzy!

1. Outdoor Adventure Day:

Join Florida State Parks #OptOutsideFL campaign and enjoy the great outdoors on Black Friday (and beyond!). Embrace the beauty of the great outdoors by planning a day of hiking, biking, or exploring a nearby park. Connect with nature, breathe in the fresh air, and let the tranquility of the outdoors be your antidote to the chaos of Black Friday sales.

2. Simply, #OptOutside

If you own a business, consider closing the doors on Black Friday and encouraging your employees and their families to enjoy time outside, soaking in the mental and physical effects it has on us. You’ll be taking a leaf out of REI’s book, they’ve closed their doors every Black Friday since 2015, following their mission to put purpose before profits.

3. Volunteer and Give Back:

Consider reaching out to Feeding America and offering your time. There are lots of different volunteering opportunities such as:

• Sort and pack food: You can keep the shelves stocked by assembling food boxes for distribution.
• Assist at mobile pantries, drive-thru pantries, and no-contact distributions: Help your neighbors feed their families.
• Deliver meals: With many communities sheltering in place, you can help ensure our most vulnerable neighbors have the food they need while staying safe.
• Glean and garden: Volunteers collect food left in the fields after harvest or help tend the food bank or food pantry's community garden.
• Volunteer from home: Some food banks have moved their volunteer shifts online and are asking volunteers to help fundraise or spread awareness.

Other organizations are looking for help too, check out Tampa Bay Watch, your local Humane Society or Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful.

4. Set Sustainable Intentions:

Take a look at the brands you use every day and try to find sustainable alternatives. Brands that are a Certified B Corp go through a rigorous process to achieve this status, and organizations that are certified with 1% for the Planet commit to donating at least 1% of their annual sales to environmental organizations. Most organizations print these logos on their packaging, or on their website to showcase their sustainability credentials.

We’ve put together this list of every day items and sustainable alternatives to consider for your everyday needs.

• Banking: Well… we had to put this one in, didn’t we! Climate First Bank is the world’s first FDIC-insured community bank dedicated to combatting the climate crisis. A certified B Corp and 1% for the Planet member, we support positive environmental and social impact in the community by financing initiatives such as renewable energy, affordable housing and education. Read more about our impact in our latest Impact Report.
• Toiletries: For a more sustainable option, take a look at an alternative like Tom’s of Maine. A household name, Tom’s supply oral care, deodorant, and body soap. They donate 10% of their profits each year to nonprofits promoting health, education, and the environment. Plus, you can send your hard-to-recycle personal care packaging waste back to them, to be made into new and useful objects.
• Washing detergent: Our Marketing Director, Rachel Kent, can’t get enough of Earth Breeze, the eco sheets provider who use paper packaging for their vegan & cruelty free eco sheets which clean just as well as ‘normal’ detergent, minus the plastic jugs from old fashioned detergent.
• Washing up liquid: Ecover is possibly the most well-known and available eco-friendly washing-up liquid. Never tested on animals, the liquid is made from biodegradable plant-based ingredients. Go one step further and check out plastic free dish washing blocks. Long lasting and eco conscious, this could be the choice for you

5. Learn Something New:

Take a break from the commercial chaos and invest your time in learning something new. Sign up for a workshop, whether it's a cooking class, a dance lesson, or a DIY craft event. Acquiring a new skill can be a fulfilling and memorable way to spend your day. Check out some of the books we have in the Climate First Bank library too:

• The Checklist Manifesto, Atul Gawande
• Let My People Go Surfing, Yvon Chouinard
• Net Zero Business Models, John Montgomery, Mark Van Clieaf, FRSA

If you run a business (or work in one!), suggest a competition between your employees to see who can read the most books and report on them – you could even create a book club!

In summary... Black Friday doesn't have to be a day solely dedicated to consumerism. Embrace the opportunity to explore the great outdoors, create meaningful memories, connect with loved ones, and prioritize activities that align with your values. By choosing alternative ways to spend your day, you can turn Black Friday into a time of relaxation, connection, and personal fulfillment.