This Thanksgiving, Skip Black Friday. Hit the Trails Instead.

Andrew Hartman
Nov 26
2 min read

Thanksgiving week: A time for gratitude, family, and... fighting crowds for deals on stuff nobody needs?

What if you did something completely different this year?

The Problem with Consumer Holidays

Toys excite kids for about 48 hours. Then they join the pile. Meanwhile, you've spent money, battled crowds, added stress, and taught your kid that love = buying stuff.

There's a better way.

Outdoor Gratitude in Action

Take your homeschooler on a Thanksgiving week adventure. Hike to a viewpoint. Summit a small peak. Explore a new trail.

Here's what happens:

Your kid experiences genuine gratitude—for their physical capability, for access to wild places, for the beauty around them. Not because you told them to be grateful, but because they feel it.

They work hard to reach a destination and experience the real pride that comes from earned accomplishment. Not a participation trophy—actual achievement.

They make memories that'll last decades. Ask any adult about their best childhood memories. It's never about the toys. It's about the experiences.

Gratitude You Can Actually See

When kids feel genuinely challenged by a climb and genuinely proud when they summit, they don't need prompting to express gratitude. It flows naturally.

When they're cold on the trail then warm again by the fire, they appreciate comfort without being told.

When they see expansive mountain views, the beauty creates its own sense of thankfulness.

Real experiences create real gratitude. Consumption rarely does.

Start a New Tradition

Make Black Friday your family trail day. Make it annual. Take a photo at the same summit every Thanksgiving week.

Years from now, your kids won't remember what you bought them in 2025. But they'll remember that your family chose adventure over shopping. They'll remember the views, the challenges, and the time together.

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