(Kent, WA)  --  Instead of Christmas shopping the day after Thanksgiving, customers are being urged to enjoy the great outdoors by sporting-goods retailer REI.  All of REI's more than 140 locations will be closed on the day after Thanksgiving, bucking a long-time trend by retailers of officially kicking off the Christmas shopping season on that day.  The company, based in Kent, Washington, says it will run no promotions or process any online orders until the Saturday following Thanksgiving.  Customers will be encouraged to forgo Black Friday shopping and spend their time outside instead.