November 12, 2025
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When Black Friday Became More Than Discounts: A Story of Connection
Before Black Friday became a modern shopping holiday, long before the flash banners and online queues, the post-harvest season in many cultures was a time of gratitude and giving. Families exchanged simple offerings. Communities celebrated shared labor and shared survival. Gifts were small but meaningful—tokens that strengthened ties.
Centuries later, when “Black Friday” entered popular culture in the 20th century, it wasn’t about buying in excess. It grew out of a moment where families gathered after Thanksgiving, where early holiday shopping felt joyful, communal, and personal. According to history, the term became popular in the 1960s as stores saw their ledgers move “back into the black” thanks to holiday shoppers.
Over the decades, the world changed, but the desire behind gifting didn’t.
Even now, as Black Friday 2025 unfolds across screens and storefronts, millions aren’t just shopping for deals—they’re looking for gifts that mean something. Gifts that celebrate love, loyalty, teamwork, appreciation, and identity.
Black Friday has become the moment where:
And at the center of this shift is a growing trend that blends memory, art, and emotion: custom 3D figurines.
Recent insights reveal a powerful shift in how people shop during Black Friday. Statista reports that more than 80% of shoppers now prefer personalized gifts over generic items. Psychology Today adds that personalized gifts trigger oxytocin — deepening emotional connection far more effectively than traditional presents.
The trend is just as strong in workplaces. Forbes notes that 82% of employees value thoughtful, individualized recognition more than bonuses alone.
This explains why searches for black friday gifts for her, black friday gifts for couples, employee appreciation gifts Black Friday, and customized 3D gifts have surged. People aren’t just gift-buying — they’re looking for ways to say:
“I thought about you — not just the season.”
From chaotic discounts to intentional gifting
Black Friday began with excitement and urgency. But in the last decade—especially after the pandemic—its meaning evolved.
People started asking:
In Europe, shoppers turned to artisan gifts, handcrafted pieces, and local creators—a trend documented by Eurostat and independent retail reports.
In the U.S., personalization became the biggest Black Friday gifting category for five consecutive years.
One of the biggest shifts in Black Friday’s evolution came from Etsy, where small artists, sculptors, and creators turned the holiday into a celebration of craftsmanship.
Shoppers began choosing:
And today, products like custom 3D figurines are among Etsy’s fastest-growing personalized gift categories.
This is why The3DMe’s presence on Etsy plays an important role in the gifting landscape. It places handcrafted, emotionally meaningful figurines alongside thousands of other artisan creations—making personalized gifting more accessible than ever.
The rising interest in personalized gifting has created space for brands that offer meaningful, long-lasting keepsakes. This is where The3DMe naturally fits — not as a trend-driven product, but as a practical solution for people and companies looking to give something with genuine significance.
The3DMe converts customer photos into custom 3D figurines using digital sculpting and sustainable colored sandstone printing. Instead of relying on full-body scans or plastic materials, the process focuses on accuracy, personality, and artistic detail.
For Couples
The3DMe helps couples strengthen their bond by turning a shared photo into a physical keepsake. A figurine becomes a daily reminder of a moment they value — making it far more meaningful than a typical Black Friday gift.
For Corporate Teams
For companies, a custom figurine shows employees they’re recognized as individuals, not just job titles. It boosts morale, builds loyalty, and becomes a memorable way to appreciate teams during Black Friday gifting.
The3DMe stands out in the personalized gifting space by combining artistic detail with sustainable materials and a photo-based sculpting process that feels accessible for everyone. Customers appreciate that figurines are crafted by real digital artists, printed in durable colored sandstone, and designed to capture personality — not just likeness.
Key differentiators include:
This makes The3DMe a trusted choice for meaningful, long-lasting gifts across couples, families, and corporate teams.
1.Do I need a 3D scan?
No. The3DMe uses photo-based sculpting done by artists.
2.Can I include pets?
Absolutely — many customers do.
3.Can I order after Black Friday?
Yes, but discounts and holiday delivery windows are limited.
Black Friday 2025 doesn’t have to be about grabbing whatever is on sale. It can be a moment to slow down, reflect, and choose gifts that honor the people who make our lives meaningful.
When you give someone a personalized figurine, you’re not giving them an object.
You’re giving them proof that their memories matter — that you see them.
If you’d like to turn one of your own stories into art, explore The3DMe’s figurine collection or see how others share their memories on Instagram.
Because the best gifts don’t just celebrate the season —
they celebrate the people who make the season worth remembering.
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