15 Alternatives to Black Friday Shopping

An alternative to Black Friday shopping is a great day to put up the Christmas tree, hang garland and put out your Christmas village. And this year, learn how to hang a wreath on your door without leaving a nail hole!

It's best to put up your holiday LED lights during the dusk evening hours so you can see how the lights will look when they are plugged in. And smaller bulbs work best on deciduous trees, while larger bulbs work well on evergreen trees.

Instead of joining in on the Black Friday shopping frenzy, start thinking about and researching gifts for those on your holiday lists. And the options are nearly endless when it comes to gifts that will be perfect for the DIYers on your list.

Now is the time to get wood for your fireplace and stack it in a convenient location. Before you build that first fire, make sure your fireplace is ready for winter.

Instead of Black Friday shopping, say goodbye to ripped gift wrapping paper and tangled ribbons. And pick up some PVC pipe and PVC glue and make a gift wrap rack.

Hygge, a Danish concept, roughly translates to coziness. Danes spend half the year in chilly and damp weather and they use hygge to make their homes a comfortable place to be. And try it yourself with candles, cozy blankets and a home-cooked meal instead of fighting the crowds at the mall.

Help your young children develop their DIY skills with some easy projects. And start them off with a wrench, hammer and even a lightweight cordless drill/driver.

Get ready for all that baking with an organized spice rack. You can also make a spice rack with just a few supplies. It would make a great gift for any home chef on your list.

Whether you have a small space that won't accommodate a traditional Christmas tree, or you just want to add some extra holiday cheer to your home this season, try an alternative tree. And some trees are as simple as finding a branch and decorating it with your favorite ornaments, or stacking your books in the shape of a Christmas tree. Turn Black Friday shopping day into Christmas tree building day! Photo: Courtesy of Popsugar

Give the gift of time this black Friday shopping day and volunteer at a soup kitchen, shelter or spend time with seniors at a nursing home. And you can also help a neighbor who doesn't get out much by putting up decorations, completing end-of-season yard work or cooking them a meal.

Little Free Libraries can be found on streets across the country. The concept is simple—help get people reading with books that can be borrowed and returned to any Little Free Library. The first Little Free Library was built in 2009 and they can now be found in more than 80 countries. And check out this garden storage box that could easily be converted into a Little Free Library.

If you skip the Black Friday shopping, you can get a start on your holiday baking. Make some cookies, bars and breads and freeze them so they'll be ready for Christmas. And when you're done, get your oven ready for even more holiday cooking by cleaning it without harsh chemicals.

Give all those birds a place to rest with a backyard birdhouse. With about $20 worth of materials and a few hours, you'll have a fun project you will enjoy for years to come.

If you have a stack of firewood, grab a couple pieces and a saw and make one of these simple firewood projects. Whether you make coasters, a stool or a shelf, you can create something in just a couple hours.

Spend a few hours on Black Friday making some custom Christmas ornaments. Get the kids involved for a fun, creative afternoon.