Creative Ways to Spend Black Friday

Sotto via Flickr

Over the past decade, the day after Thanksgiving has come to be known as Black Friday. Heralded as the beginning of the holiday shopping season, big box retailers across the country open early and stay open late, offering special promotions and discounts to draw in shoppers.

If fighting the crowds isn’t your cup of tea, we’ve got some creative ways to spend your Black Friday.

• Get in the holiday spirit with a trip into the snowy Wasatch. Alta, Brighton, Snowbird and Solitude resorts are open for skiers and snowboarders ready to hit the slopes! If sledding is more your speed, bring your gear up Big Cottonwood Canyon and enjoy their sledding hill.
• Road trip to the Diamond Fork Hot Springs (also a beautiful hike) or Dinosaur National Monument. Or visit attractions closer to home, like Discovery Gateway, The Leonardo’s Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit, or the Natural History Museum of Utah.
• Spend the day with your family. Host a holiday-themed craft project (there are some great ideas on Spoonful), eat delicious Thanksgiving leftovers (yummy recipes from Treehugger) and enjoy a holiday movie marathon (here’s a fun list). Then ride TRAX downtown and enjoy the festivities at the Gallivan Center’s annual lighting celebration (350,000 lights, 60′ tree, musical entertainment and outdoor ice skating from 4-6 p.m.)
• Volunteer. It’s a great way to give thanks and give back.

What will you be doing on Black Friday?