Shop (and Eat!) 'til You Drop

Watching burly men throw around the ol' pigskin got you hungry? How about all those kitschy, glitter-filled floats from the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade? Instead of watching Thanksgiving Day football games or televised holiday events, head out into Harvard Square this Thursday if you're around campus during the break to see what local vendors are offering for the day.

Thanksgiving Day:

Though the Adams House Dining Hall will be open for Thanksgiving dinner, students remaining in Cambridge could skip the HUDS offerings and try some of the new seasonal dishes featured at local restaurants instead.

Ever craved Roasted Misty Knolls Farm Turkey? Pumpkin Pasta Pillows? Maybe some Apple Spice Layer Cake? These are only a few of the many dishes offered around Harvard Square on Thanksgiving Day. Check out The Russell House Tavern, Harvest, Grafton Street, or UpStairs on the Square, which even boasts its own Vegan Thanksgiving Feast.

As for dessert, if you still haven’t quite filled your food coma quota just yet, consider heading over to Sweet for a Maple Cranberry cupcake, or to Finale, for a slice of their popular Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie or Eggnog Cheesecake. Or, to add some more turkey feasting into your day, try JP Licks' Wild Turkey Bourbon ice cream. Lizzy's Homemade Ice Cream and Berryline have also rolled out some of their own Thanksgiving-inspired treats for the holiday.

Once you've stuffed yourself with enough cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes to expand your waistline, get ready to wake up early the next day for Harvard Square's Black Friday sales.

Black Friday:

Start your Black Friday off at Urban Outfitters, which will open its doors at 6 a.m. and offer 50 percent off all sale merchandise. Be careful not to get stomped on during by all the other eager shoppers, because this sale only lasts until 10 a.m.

Hidden Sweets will offer extended hours for Black Friday, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., as well as 20 percent off all "Life Is Good" brand apparel and gift merchandise for its first two opening hours. Students with an ID will receive 15 percent off their total purchase.

After some hectic morning shopping, head over to Zinneken's for a 20 percent discount off of your total purchase. Those who didn't get enough pumpkin pie on Turkey Day can try Zinneken's seasonal pumpkin spiced waffles or pumpkin spiced lattes.

Other local vendors around the Square with special Black Friday deals include: Berks Shoes, Carriage House Salon/Spa, Follow the Honey, and the Boston Bead Company.

For more information on special offers, visit the Harvard Square Business Association website.