Escape Black Friday Crowds

Dreading the thought of 4 a.m. lines that stretch across the parking lots?

Don't fall victim to the Black Friday blues, or get frostbite or broken toes from hitting the stores with the holiday shoppers. While there aren't any programs happening in town today—schools and the library are closed for the holiday—there are ways to avoid the shopping rush.

Here's how you can avoid shopping on Black Friday:

1. You probably stuffed yourself on Thanksgiving. Tie on some running (or at least walking) shoes and hit one of the trails in the Somerset County Park system. Or, grab your bike and head somewhere locally, or just enjoy the fresh air before it gets too cold. Don't forget a helmet though.

2. Go through your house for any of the .

3. If you're visiting — or being visited by — relatives, take some time to share stories about your family's history while you still can.

4. Shop locally, shop at small businesses, or shop for a cause.

For example, St. Ann School, on Second Avenue in Raritan, is hosting a sports card and collectibles show Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Admission to the show is $1, and 50 dealers will present their wares. Proceeds will go directly to the school. For more information, call the school at 908-725-7787.

Or wait until the following Friday, Dec. 2, and buy some of your gifts at the Hope Austism Foundation's Holiday House Tour and Boutique. Tour four Basking Ridge homes while you do your shopping, and contribute toward the foundation. For tickets and information, go online.

5. If you absolutely must shop, go to the stores late at night. Black Friday lasts till the stroke of midnight! And many of the bargains continue after the Big Day, anyway.

Audrey Levine and Linda Sadlouskos contributed to this story