BLACK FRIDAY. The dread of every good and decent human being.

Every year it strikes when we are at our most stuffed, hungover and vulnerable, assaulting our psyches with sad, sordid stories of pensioners getting curb-stomped for Blue Ray players, leaving us with a little bit less faith in our fellow man, woman and otherwise than we had the year before.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Instead of passively bearing witness to the horror that is Black Friday, actively participate in Plaid Friday—the national initiative to support local and independent businesses on November 25th.

DAVIS SQUARE

ARTIFAKTORI (A)  — From vintage pillboxes to pewter toys, Artifaktori’s got everything you need for that sexy time-traveler in your life. You know exactly who we’re talking about.
[22 College Ave., Somerville. 617.776.3708. @artifaktori_. artifaktori.com]

DIESEL — Nabbed what you needed for Nan by noon? Chillax with a pot of rooibos and shoot a couple rounds of pool. Man, you are owning this.
[257 Elm St., Somerville. 617.629.8717. @diesel_cafe. diesel-cafe.com]                                    .

BOSTON SHAKER — Boozing Accoutrements
[69 Holland St., Somerville. 617.623.3330. thebostonshaker.com]

MAGPIE — What do you get for the fella who has everything? A keybowl made out of a heat-warped LP of Blood on the Tracks. Weren’t expecting that, were ya, Mister Everything?
[416 Higland Ave., Somerville. 617.623.3330. magpie-store.com]

E. SCOTT ORIGINALS — Handcrafted Jewelry
[199 Highland Ave., Somerville. 617.776.2814. @escottoriginals. escottoriginals.com]

UNION SQUARE

SHERMAN MARKET — Sexy Cheese, Sexier Cheesemongers.
[22 Union Sq., Somerville. 617.666.0179. @shermanmarket. shermanmarket.blogspot.com]

HUB COMICS — Alright. You have a list. You have a list. You have … to wonder if the DC reboot Batman is any good—oh God how is it three already?
[19 Bow St., Somerville. 617.718.0987. @hubcomics. hubcomics.com]

GRAND — Cool Shit
[374 Somerville Ave., Somerville. 617.623.2429. @grandthestore. grandthestore.com]

POOR LITTLE RICH GIRL — 2011 Dig This Award Winner, Best Vintage.
[121 Hampshire St., Cambridge. 617.873.0809. @plrgvintage. shoppoorlittlerichgirl.com]

TAZA — Not playing favorites or anything, but Somerville’s totally got a chocolate factory. And they give tours. And samples. And it’s the best thing ever-ever.
[561 Windsor St., Somerville. 617.284.2232. @TazaChocolate. tazachocolate.com]

What’s That Little (A) Mean?

Shoppes that are marked with that little bracketed alpha are participating in the brand-spanking new Access program, brought to you by the fine folks behind Spreedia.com and New Brahmin.

As a way to encourage you to keep stickin’ it to the Big Box all year round, this little number will automatically knock 10 percent off of fully priced merch at these fine establishments, as well as getting your name on the list for special promos and events.

Not to mention all the good karma.

A 12-month membership can be yours for $40, and you can pick one up at spnbaccess.com.