Jul love it! American Swedish Institute is the place for affordable family fun with Handmade Holidays, decorated Mansion rooms and new Family Gallery. Don’t miss the monthly Kids and (new) Babies at the Castle gatherings. Join in a musical story during the Julglädje “Christmas Joy” shows November 24-25. ASI’s Making Traditions weekends offer hands-on activities, Find-the-Tomte games and performances, while FIKA Café serves up tyke-sized bites. For more details, click here, call (612) 871-4907, or visit 2600 Park Ave. Free parking!
Buy Nothing Day was created as a way to protest the consumerism of Black Friday. This movement has been joined by the #optoutside movement, which was created by REI, who chooses to close on Black Friday so its customers can go outside instead of shopping. Others have renamed the day Green Friday to encourage socially uplifting activities over consumerism.
As we promised in our Buy Nothing Day article, we also have some ideas for shopping local on Thanksgiving weekend buy embracing the “Plaid Friday” or “Small Business Saturday” movements. Saturday is also “Indies First Day” at local bookstores.
Local Shops and Authors make you feel good about Christmas Shopping.
Plaid Friday on Black Friday
Buy It Local Twin Citieshas embraced the Plaid Friday movement by providing a map of local stores that are open and offering special deals. Instead of paying big bucks at the big box stores, Buy It Local and the local retailers are encouraging shopping local on Plaid Friday, November 23, 2018. And seriously dress up in plaid. You will receive discounts for wearing plaid. (It seems perfect for a cold, Minnesota winter day to be wearing flannel. Now I just need to pull mine from high school out of the depths of the closet. There are so many great deals at so many of the different shops around town. Music, refreshments, and deals. You really can’t go wrong.
If you plan to shop the Grand Avenue shops in Saint Paul for Plaid Friday, don’t forget you can drop your kids off at the Red Balloon Bookshop for the Deck the Halls Holiday Workshop• Kids between the ages of 3 and 12 are invited to get holiday ready at this workshop. Parents can drop off kids from 2pm to 4pm while they enjoy Grand Avenue shopping. This program does require an RSVP.
Small Business Saturday / Indies First Day
Keep the local love going on Saturday, November 24, 2018, with these Small Business Saturday and Indies First Deals. Small Business Saturday, like Plaid Friday, is another chance to support small local businesses. Indies First is celebrated at local bookstores to bring together authors, readers, and publishers in support of independent bookstores.
Visiting the Minnesota Zoo is not cheap, especially if you have a large family. Currently tickets for children over 2 years old cost $12.00 and adults cost $18.00. Plus, you will need to add on $7.00 to park, unless you bus or are lucky enough to live close enough to walk. A family of four will spend $67.00 even if you pack a lunch and avoid the gift shop. How does a family find Minnesota Zoo Discounts?
Coupons for the Minnesota Zoo are rare, but there are ways to get discounts. These are the best evergreen offers we have found. If you know of any others, drop us a line, we’ll share your suggestions with the community.
Jul love it! American Swedish Institute is the place for affordable family fun with Handmade Holidays, decorated Mansion rooms and new Family Gallery. Don’t miss the monthly Kids and (new) Babies at the Castle gatherings. Join in a musical story during the Julglädje “Christmas Joy” shows November 24-25. ASI’s Making Traditions weekends offer hands-on activities, Find-the-Tomte games and performances, while FIKA Café serves up tyke-sized bites. For more details, click here, call (612) 871-4907, or visit 2600 Park Ave. Free parking!
November: Top 10 Family Picks
10 Free Things To Do in November
Twin Cities Early Holiday Events
Thanksgiving Break Ideas
