Thanksgiving week is officially here! And this year we are bringing you a Thanksgiving and Black Friday Dopamine Menu! Designed to help you slow down, savor this seasons, and if you are planning to shop on Black Friday, to support local Tulsa businesses! We are trading our phones for creative ways to connect and enjoy this holiday week!

Thanksgiving Day Dopamine Menu

If you are looking for a few more ways to unplug on Thanksgiving Day, these ideas are easy ways to better enjoy your time spent with friends and family this 2025 holiday season!

Make the Morning a Bit More Cozy:

-Build a brunch board with pastries and treats from local vendors (a break from cooking)
• Antoinette Baking Co.
• La Madeleine Tulsa
• Local vendors you may have shopped earlier in the season at Tulsa Hills Farmers Market

-Take a family/friendsgiving walk at
• Gathering Place
• River Parks
• Ray Harral Nature Park

-Start a shared or individual gratitude journal to revisit each year!

Midday Togetherness

Every family typically either has the go to members who do most of the cooking or potluck style, whatever your tradition, take the time to engage and go above and beyond what is expected! 

• Try Cooking together and assign small, enjoyable roles.
• Build a ‘Family Favorites’ playlist.
• Set up a kids’ activity station with crafts and puzzles.
• Play backyard or indoor games, every person brings a different game!

Start New Traditions

Try introducing fresh traditions to your friends or family to look forward to each November!

• Take a short walk before dinner.
• Share one gratitude moment each around the table.
• Bake an extra dessert and deliver it to a neighbour.
• Take a family photo outside with fall colours.

Cozy Night In

After the food coma passes, cozy up for more intentional moments with one another.

• Change into pajamas and start a craft table.
• Work on a puzzle or play a card or board game.
• Build a dessert board featuring pie, fruit, or warm toppings.
• End the evening by sharing your favourite moments from the year!

Black Friday Dopamine Menu: Shop Local Tulsa Edition

Instead of big-box chaos, Black Friday can be a meaningful way to support Tulsa’s small businesses and enjoy the city at a slower pace. This list highlights cosy local coffee shops, artisan boutiques, curated shops, restaurants, and experience-based gift ideas that can help mix up the typical one-click mindless shopping!

Start Your Morning Local

Tulsa has no shortage of warm, trendy coffee shops to start your day. Just be sure to double check their social media or call ahead for their holiday hours!

• DoubleShot Coffee Company
• Topeca Coffee Roasters
• Foolish Things Coffee Company
• Coffee House on Cherry Street
• Chimera Café

Support Local Makers and Markets

Shop handmade goods, boutique apparel, home décor, and Tulsa-themed finds.

• Mother Road Market
• Made in Oklahoma Store
• Decopolis
• Ella + Orchid
• MAC Collection
• Willamina

Art, Vintage, and Curated Goods

Find unique, character-rich gifts and home treasures at Tulsa’s curated shops.

• Retro Den
• Plenty Mercantile
• The Market at Walnut Creek

Early Holiday Activities 

Ease into the Christmas season with a festive and relaxing outing!

• Stroll through Utica Square to see the holiday décor.
• Explore boutiques in the Rose District in Broken Arrow or in Jenks.
• Return home and make DIY ornaments, wreathes, or stockings as a family.

Eat Local for Lunch or Dinner

Give your favourite Tulsa spots a boost by dining local.

• Amelia’s Wood Fired Cuisine
• Andolini’s Pizzeria
• Nola’s Creole and Cocktails
• Roosevelt’s
• Que Gusto
• Mother Road Market

Experience-Based Gifts

Give gifts that create memories and support Tulsa’s creative and cultural community.

• Philbrook Museum of Art
• Tulsa Ballet
• Poppi’s Spa and Lounge
• Tulsa Drillers
• The Pottery Lounge
• AHHA Tulsa

Try the Local Secret Gift Tradition

Have each person choose one secret gift under twenty dollars from a local shop for someone in the group. Exchange them that evening or during a weekend brunch to add an extra layer of fun to Black Friday.

Be sure to save and send this Thanksgiving and Black Friday Dopamine Menu to your friends and family. To help create space in your home to inspire connection, rest, and to unplug from our phones. Whether you’re hosting friends, gathering with family, or supporting Tulsa’s local businesses, we hope this dopamine menu helps bring warmth and meaning to your week!

We are wishing you a cozy and unplugged weekend!

Your Local Tulsa Realtors,

Aussie Real Estate