It's that time again. Yes, the holidays are now upon us. You can almost hear sleigh bells ring, cash registers ding and the empty sound of credit cards all across America. Because what says the holidays better than Black Friday... right?
As a consumer society, we have become sucked into a Hallmark holiday routine. The holidays have become not so much about giving but more about buying. And Black Friday is the utmost epitome of our consumer tradition. People all around the nation wake in the wee hours of the morning, camp outside stores, trample and fight one another to claw their way in... just in the pursuit to buy, to get that "steal" of the purchase. Because what spreads holiday cheer more than a platinum flat screen or the latest Apple product?
One company has "opted" out of this oh, so "cheerful" tradition of ours, however.
REI is closing their doors this Black Friday, November 27. They will be paying their employees to "Opt-Outside" and enjoy nature instead of being consumed in our consumer holiday activities.
Their #OptOutside campaign envelopes the company's values of the outdoors and promotes people, customers and employees alike, to join them.
Their website states that "REI believes that being outside makes our lives better. That's why this Black Friday, we're closing all 143 of our stores and paying our employees to head outside."
Here is why they're doing it.
"For 76 years, our co-op has been dedicated to one thing and one thing only: a life outdoors," REI CEO and president Jerry Stritzke said. "We believe that being outside makes our lives better. And Black Friday is the perfect time to remind ourselves of this essential truth. We're a different kind of company—and while the rest of the world is fighting it out in the aisles, we’ll be spending our day a little differently. We’re choosing to opt outside, and want you to come with us."
But there's more.
Inspired by REI's #OptOutside campaign, California State Parks have followed suit and will be free on Black Friday, furthering the incentive to spend the day outside.
According to NBC Bay Area , Save the Redwoods League is sponsoring the free admission to 49 participating redwood state parks. The organization has always wanted to do such an event, though never had the funding for it. But this year, an anonymous donor enabled them to do so by donating $15,000.
They have coined this event as "the best bargain you're going to find this Black Friday" and they couldn't be more right.
In order to participate, all you have to do is download a pass and present it upon arrival at the park.
As stated on NBC, California has the largest state park system in the US, so the fact that they will be free is eye-opening. Minnesota state parks will also be offering the same deal to its participating parks.
So this Black Friday, instead of emptying your wallet and spending the day in Walmart, get the best bargain of the season and Opt Outside.
