Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and the Power of Ritual
Why Family Traditions Matter More Than Ever This Holiday Season
My family has a unique genetic trait that hasn’t been scientifically identified yet, but we all know it’s real. The Thornes have the Black Friday gene mutation. Seriously, it’s in my DNA.
Growing up, Thanksgiving was sacred in my family, and Black Friday was the main event. Mom and Dad would pack up my sister and I for the long drive from Michigan to Tuscumbia, Alabama, the small town where Helen Keller was born, and where my extended family lived. Two things were always certain: Thanksgiving was a time for connection, and Black Friday was a cherished tradition.
The Sacred Circle of Black Friday Eve
After Thanksgiving dinner, when the dishes were washed, and the leftovers stored away, the women in my family would gather around the big kitchen table. It was more than a planning session, it was a sacred circle.
Newspaper flyers were spread across the table like prized treasures. Laughter and gossip mixed with whispers of wisdom from the day.
“Can you hand me the Walmart flyer? I haven’t seen it yet.”
“What time does the first store open?”
“That’s earlier than last year! We’ll head there first. I need to grab that thing for Betty...what was it again?”
This wasn’t chaos; it was collaboration. Even though we’d been cooking and cleaning all day, somehow, there was always energy for this ritual. Tired wasn’t in our vocabulary.
Back then, sales were rare. There wasn’t online shopping or endless weekend sales. Black Friday . deals were special, and if you missed them, you missed out. It wasn’t just about the discounts; it was about the experience—the planning, the camaraderie, and the adventure of it all.
The Joy Was in the Journey
We’d map out who was going with whom and when we’d leave. Lunch at the local diner was our midpoint, where we’d share stories of victory and hilarity from the morning rush.
I can still see my cousin Tammy strolling in, always running late because she wasn’t a morning person. By the time she joined us, she smelled like a mix of every perfume at the department store and always had the funniest stories about the people she’d chatted with in line.
My mom would give my sister and I $100 each. A fortune to us at the time. She’d tell us to spend it wisely, but the real lesson was never about the money. It was about savoring the process: the planning, the patience, and the joy of finding just the right thing.
Carrying the Magic Forward
Over the years, the sacred circle has evolved. The original wise women of our family, the heartbeat of our traditions, are no longer with us, but their spirit lives on. Now, it’s my sister, my girls, and I carrying the circle forward, putting our own spin on the magic while staying rooted in the place where it all began.
Black Friday will always be about more than shopping. It’s about connection, tradition, and learning how to create moments of meaning.
Reclaiming the Magic with the Radiant Renewal Box
This year, I’m bringing a new kind of magic to Black Friday with the Radiant Renewal Box, a limited-edition collection launching exclusively on November 29th.
Just as my family’s Black Friday ritual was never really about the sales, the holiday season itself isn’t about the chaos or the deals, it’s about connection. First with others, but most importantly, with yourself.
That’s why I created the Radiant Renewal Box—it’s so much more than a collection of self-care items. It’s an invitation to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what nourishes you.
Here’s what this special box represents:
✨ Honoring what’s important to you—whether it’s time with loved ones or sacred moments of solitude.
✨ Planning your own sacred circle—even if it’s just you, a quiet moment, and a cup of ceremonial cacao.
✨ Creating space to breathe, recharge, and feel grounded—so you can shine brighter in your traditions and everyday life.
When you take care of yourself, the light you bring to your loved ones and the world grows even brighter.
With only a set number available, it’s the perfect gift for yourself or someone you love.
Be the first to know when it’s ready to purchase by signing up for my email list today—don’t miss your chance to bring this unique treasure into your life!
Let’s reclaim the magic of the season—starting with you.
Love & Expansion,
Rebecca 💜
Originally published on Substack.