Chances are, if you’re in Annapolis MD this weekend you’re going to fall into one of two camps – those who are shopping and those who are bunkered in and not leaving for anything or anyone. We’re going to try to peel a few of you off from either group as sort of a compromise measure.

Sure, if you’re out shopping in downtown Annapolis, or out on Main Street or West Street or even State Circle you’ve already got your plans in place and itinerary pretty much set. If you’re bunkered in feasting on leftovers we know you’re better left alone. However, if you’re not playing Skyrim (because we know exactly how hard it can be to yank yourself out of Skyrim) it might do both yourself and your circulatory system some good to walk around a bit.

The Winterthur Museum and Country Estate has a couple of good opportunities for aimless ambling and some minor shopping this weekend. The Yuletide tour is open – free this year for members and included in general admission for nonmembers – and features sort of a timeline of Christmases past. Traditions going back hundreds or years are displayed, examined and offered for inspection. The genesis of Christmas trees, du Pont family celebrations are all on display. While there, also take a look at one of Winterthur’s often-neglected collections called “Made for Trade.” This examination of Native American artifacts from Winterthur’s collection – admittedly small but well put together – shows the evolution of these objects from functional to tourist souvenir to part of an artistic collection. As there is already a built-in nostalgia factor for how many modern objects change over time (think of the Coca-Cola ads from the 1950s or so) seeing the same types of changes in less modern objects can be equally rewarding.

We’re suckers for the whimsy of this one, so we can’t resist. The SPCA of Anne Arundel County is having its own Black Friday sale, as in all black or slightly black animals will be half off on November 25. If you’re intent on browsing while considering adding a new friend into your life, know that they also offer a number of supplies and other necessary pet gear. We like the turnabout of the phrasing on this one, but we can’t say we endorse adopting animals without careful consideration and a sense of responsibility for the task you’re considering undertaking. Just because it’s a good deal doesn’t make it a good idea.

If you’ve got your Annapolis plans this weekend – that’s great. They probably involve bunkering in or venturing out and not much in-between. But perhaps this guide gives you an idea or two about how to distance yourself from either of those two poles. There are interesting things afoot rather than merely shopping or just sitting home at home raiding the fridge. Either is fine, but meeting somewhere in the middle is often better.

NEXT WEEK: A bridal and wine show, plus a little something for those taking the SATs and maybe a little train show