If you’re reading this post on actual Black Friday, you’re probably already done with that holiday shopping. Maybe in more ways than one. Here’s what the Chicks are up to today…

  Marla Cooper

Between Thanksgiving Thursday, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday, I have a long string of pre-planned activities that I’m technically supposed to participate in this weekend. But you know what? I’m not giving in. I donated money last week. I will shop online whenever I feel like shopping online. I probably won’t set foot in a store until sometime late next week. (‘Cause I’m a rebel.) The best suggestion I’ve heard? REI closed all their stores for Friday and suggested we all go outside. Now that’s something I can get behind. I’m going to eat a lot of leftovers, not go shopping, hike in the redwoods, and wear my pajamas when I’m not hiking in the redwoods. So my weekend’s shaking up like this: Hiking Friday, Bad Movie Saturday, Ukulele Sunday, Catch-Up-On-Work Monday, and Pack-for-Portland Tuesday…. leading to the super-exciting Driving Wednesday. After all, who doesn’t love a theme?

Lisa Q. Mathews

Black Friday is going to be different for me this year. For one thing, I’m sleeping in. I may even drive to Dunkin’ Donuts in my jammies (under my down coat, because it’s supposed to be a little snowy). We’re going to pick up our turkey (yes, you heard that right) and cook a small, second Thanksgiving dinner. I have been trusted with the cranberries. My husband may attempt a little exterior illumination. And later we’ll continue our usual kick-off-the-holidays tradition: popping in our DVD of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation!

Kellye Garrett

I won’t be participating in any Black Friday festivities today. Instead, I’m doing what some might consider equally as daunting—having my first sleepover with my two-year-old niece and nephew at my place. I’m super excited that they are spending the night. And they seem to be super excited as well. I figure they can’t be any crankier than the people I would encounter shopping. I’m already the “fun auntie” so I’m going to do my best to maintain that title for 24 hours straight. I already have bought lots of cookies and chips and brownies to bribe them into not demanding to go home. And I’m planning to put blankets all around so we can pretend we’re camping. (Sure this also has the added benefit of protecting my stuff from spills and accidents but it’s mainly to pretend we’re camping. I swear!)

Ellen Byron

First thing Friday morning, I re-join Weight Watchers for the umpteenth time. Right after that, I go on a post-election Hike for Healing sponsored by a local nonprofit, TreePeople. Their home base is at the top of a popular trail just down the street from me — and even closer to a certain Mister George Clooney. In fact, you can follow the trail onto his street and traipse by his home. He’s got lots of land, so basically all you see is his tennis court and guest house. He’s lived there for years, but the only time I’ve ever seen him was when we crossed paths at a stop sign. He was on his motorcycle, but was wearing a helmet that didn’t hide his face, so we exchanged “Howdy, neighbor” smiles.

Anyway, back to my hike. I’m trying to talk my daughter into joining me. It ends with a meditation that we both agreed to pass on. These days, it’s nice to find something I have in common with my sixteen-year-old, even if it’s two cases of ADD that make sitting still while  trying to meditate torture for both of us.

Readers, how are YOU spending Black Friday?

Did you enjoy this article? Subscribe to Chicks on the Case and never miss a post. Just click the button on the top right side of this page and let the fun begin!