Staying Zen on Black Friday

Does the idea of the upcoming Holiday Shopping Season stress you out? How has the pandemic impacted your holiday shopping routine? Are you giving more, or less? Things, or experiences? Stuff, or self-care?

Although we are looking forward to bringing you fun deals on our site this year for Black Friday weekend, we are just like you ~ we have shopping budgets and limited time and have rethought or priorities.

So, when we think about creating a Happy Holiday Season with less stress and more reasonable expectations, we've taken time to create a guide to finding the gifts and getting the deals you want without shopping on Thanksgiving Day and without fighting the crowds on Black Friday. You can be the calm in the storm, maintain your Zen, and focus on enjoying time with family and friends.

Check out our ideas to find what you want, enjoy shopping from home and add our favorite gift items to your list.

HOW TO SHOP

Know What You Want

This is very important. If you haven't done this already, write down your Holiday Shopping List now!  Writing down a list will help you organize what you can buy online and what you need to head to the mall for.  It also help keep you from over spending when you start seeing all the deals online.

If you are someone who loves to shop unanticipated and random sale items you find, set a specific "fun" budget for what might catch your eye.  You can start planning in advance for those deals from all of the Black Friday emails that are hitting your email inbox.  

Find It Before Black Friday

Ideally, you’ll figure out a way to get the items in your list this year without leaving your home. See below for reasons to avoid shopping in traditional stores. 

A really efficient way to get ready to catch Black Friday deals is to create Favorites tags for the websites you know you will be visiting and store them in a 2022 Shopping Bookmark Folder.  Then your deals are just a click away!

Once you are ready to do that, the best way to plan out your cyber shopping this season is to start by clicking through the Black Friday emails you are receiving to see what's on sale.  You might also need search your favorite shopping websites to see what's on your list that's not on sale. 

If you don't know what website is going to give you the best deal, you can start Googling for the particular item you are shopping for.  For example, if your Mother would like a new yoga mat, start looking today for which website will be offering Black Friday deals.  

In addition, check out third-party sellers such as Amazon; many of the things you want may be available on Amazon at a better price and with free shipping. We know that Amazon shopping can be controversial, but for small American manufacturers such as ourselves, Amazon is a large part of our business. There is simply no other platform that makes small manufacturers visible to more people! It's how we and so many other small businesses gain the most reach.

We recommend searching for the best deals 2-4 days prior to Thanksgiving. By then many websites will already be advertising sale items. 

Keep Shopping on Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday

You've found all of the Big Sales on Black Friday but are still searching for a unique gifts for the special people in your life, Small Business Saturday is a great way to find hand-crafted specialty items from small businesses around the country.  Over 60 million people are employed by small businesses and every time you buy from them, you are supporting someone's dream. Most of the time you won't be able to find their products at the Big Retailers, so also share the love and spread the word with friends and family about your favorite small businesses.

Still itching for a great deal?  Cyber Monday is often a continuation of Black Friday deals.  Or new deals will pop up to keep you coming back for more.  Plus, whose really working at the office during Cyber Monday anyway?  Shop away!

Small businesses rely on this time of year, so the deals will be there for more than one day.  Evenso, remember that millions of people are shopping online for these deals, so don’t hesitate. If you know you want something, just click on it before it sells out so you don't experience remorse (while staying in your budget). Know when the sale starts and buy it as soon as you are able.

THE PERFECT ONLINE SHOPPING AMBIANCE

Because we live in the beautiful modern era of technology, relax in your comfy clothes, start a fire in the fireplace, get comfortable on the sofa with your laptop or mobile phone, eat Thanksgiving left overs and shop away!

Here are a few tips to make your experience tranquil for both day and night.

Open some Windows – Day

Even if it’s a little cold outside, allow some fresh air to get into your home. Breathe in the crisp air of November, or if you live in a warmer climate, just enjoy the fresh air. Our homes  can get stuffy, we don’t even realize it sometimes, so airing out your house can be the equivalent to airing out your mind.

Let in the Light – Day

Because its daytime, open up the blinds, find a nice sunny place to sit, inside or outside, wherever the Wi-Fi will reach, and soak up some vitamin D.

Sip on Green Tea with Honey – Day

Green Tea contains L-Theanine which reduces irritation and stress.  Honey also reduces inflammation in the brain which often happens when you are feeling depressed or anxious. Plus, the ritual of drinking tea itself is soothing and calming. 

Snack on a Bowel of Mangos – Day

I know it’s November, but if you can find an in-season mango, cut it open for a nice little snack.  Mangos contain Linalool, a compound known for decreasing stress.

Have a bit of Chocolate – Day & Night

A small sliver of dark chocolate can regulate the stress hormone Cortisol, leaving you feeling calm.

Breathe – Day & Night

I know it seems obviously, but have you ever noticed yourself holding your breath when your waiting for something? Maybe you don’t have an issue with this, but remember to pay attention to your breath and keep breathing. Often just the awareness of your breath will help you regulate your inhalations and exhalations.  If you notice you continue to hold your breath, stop what you are doing, sit quietly, close your eyes and be present with the deliciousness of breathing.

Play Calming Music – Day & Night

We all have a different opinion of what music is calming.  For you, it could be classical and for others it might be jazz or 70s love songs.  If you are looking for something new, that is ultra-relaxing, try listening to White Sun. They sing mantras that have been passed down through thousands of years and each one stimulates the subconscious in different ways.

Start up Your Essential Oil Diffuser – Day & Night

If you don’t have one, add it to your Black Friday shopping list because these things rock!  We recommend Lavender, Chamomile, Rose, and Ylang Ylang Essential Oils for relaxation!  If you have all four feel free to mix them a bit, or just use what you have. Mix 2 big drops of Lavender and 1 drop of all others. Be sure you are using Certified Organic Essential Oils so you know they are pure and free from synthetic ingredients.  If you don’t have an Essential Oil Diffuser but you do have one or more of these Certified Organic Essential Oils, you can dab a little on your wrist and under your nose so that you can still smell it and receive the calming aromatherapy benefits.

Head out for a Walk

It's common sense. We all know that heading outdoors for some fresh air is good for the body, mind, and the spirit. All it takes is a little intention to remind ourselves to take just 30 minutes out of our day, stretch our legs, enjoy the scenery and even a chat with your guests. So remember to give yourself that time and rejuvenate your soul.

Light Candles –  Night

Turn the lights down low and light some candles. Sitting in low light at night can reduce anxiety and other stresses. Our body knows it’s night time, so being in a bright room can sometimes throw us off. Try to find candles made with Beeswax or Soy, any alternative to petroleum based wax.  You can also add some Certified Organic Essential Oil drops to your Unscented candle.  That's the safest way to create an aromatic candle because fragrances are often made with chemicals that aren't even disclosed by the candle makers.  

Turn Night Shift On – Night

For Apple users, you can turn night shift on your computer, tablet, or iPhone phone. This tints your screen to be an alternative orange color. Studies have shown that looking at the normal color of your device late at night can make it difficult to sleep, and after a night of shopping, you’ll want to be able to get to sleep quickly and peacefully. 

Enjoy your Black Friday experience by making your environment a peaceful and relaxing so you can shop quickly and in your budget without losing yourself in crowds.

WHY SHOP AT HOME?

By now you may be convinced that staying away from stores and shopping from your the comfort of your sofa while eating chocolate and lighting candles sounds pretty amazing!  And, although it's been fun to be out and about after lockdowns and quarantine, your relationship to crowded shopping spaces may have changed forever. But, just in case you're still thinking about going out shopping in the wee early hours of Friday morning after Thanksgiving, here are some funny reasons that may keep you shopping form your computer.  

Crowds

Enough said?

Waiting

Want to wait in epic lines in the dark and cold morning?  No?  We didn't think so.

Disappointment

Being overwhelming disappointed after a stressful day of searching for what you wanted after driving from mall to mall, and walking away with nothing can feel pointless.

Buyer's Remorse 

While impulse shopping online is just as easy (maybe easier) online, when you are shopping in stores you will be bombarded with special Holiday Gift Packages that contain combinations of items your friends and loved ones really don't need or want.  It can feel like such a waste when door-buster gift items end up unused.

People Become Frenzied

We are a fan of people, we like people, but something about the frenzy of Thanksgiving weekend shopping can bring out the worst in people.  We're just now sure how this year will go at the big-box stores and here are some reminders we found in the news of past shopping nightmares:

• Getting pepper sprayed over a toy
• Being trampled trying to get inside a store
• Actual physical and verbal fights
• Angry groups of people when lines are long

Maintain your faith in humanity and avoid the situations that are unflattering to human nature. 

Shopper's Rage 

Being part of the craziness of Black Friday shopping could also bring the worst out in yourself.  You might not even realize realize you’re doing it.  Shopping rage may not be the reason you want your 15 minutes of fame on the local news. 

Bait Sales

Often it's the knock-off products that are on sale at the biggest discounts. Even if a TV seems like a deal now, a cheap TV may not be so great if it stops working in a year.  Be aware of the quality of the products you are buying and whether you would buy it when it's not on sale.

OUR THANKSGIVING WEEKEND SHOPPING LIST

These are the deals our team will be hunting for to make a great Holiday Season for our friends and family.  

Makes 3 Organics® Lavender Organic Miracle Balm

Of course this is on our list! I use this miraculous body balm everyday on every inch of my body.  Our 8oz jar which looks beautiful and lasts longer.  Buy this for your favorite people and for yourself and experience the love that goes into making this pure, clean skincare product. (Hint, hint...watch for Black Friday Sale information on this and all of the amazing products that we create and curate for the Makes 3 Organics Wellness store.) 

Movie Gift Passes

This year we are into giving experiences that bring people together.  Everyone loves movies and seeing them with the full cinema experience just can't be beat, so giving movie passes encourages your loved ones to get out of the house, grab some dinner and hit the cinema together. You save when you buy packs and movie club memberships.

Theater, Shows and Lectures

I'm sure your local city or town has a venue for plays, musicals, concerts and lectures. Give a "coupon" for two tickets to a local venue and help your friend or loved one create amazing memories or learn something new.

Fun Park Passes

Right along with movies, kids love fun parks and many of them have Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, like buy two tickets and get one free.

Spa Day

While this can be a very pricey gift if you are going for your local 5-star hotel spa experience, there are so many small and local day spas that offer great pricing on massages, reflexology, facials, and mani-pedis. The great thing too is that men have warmed up to these treatments. There is something so luxurious about taking time out of our busy lives to experience some pampering. This might be our favorite gift idea this year.

Meal Plan Gift Certificates

Do you know busy parents who could use a break fixing dinner.  Giving gift certificates for home delivery meal plans is a great way to say I love you.  You will be excited to find that many of these services are also offering sales for the Thanksgiving shopping weekend.

We hope these tips are helpful to you when planning how to shop this Holiday Season.  And remember... treat yourself to something special along the way and share the love.  

Stay Zen Fellow Shoppers,

Kristine Sperling and The Makes 3 Organics® Team

Kristine Sperling is a wellness enthusiast and co-founder of Makes 3 Organics, an organic brand dedicated to providing consumers organic alternatives to conventional personal care products. She lives in Santa Barbara, California, with her co-founder husband, Dan, their teenager, Alice, and their blue Shih Tzu, King.