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November 2009
Get a FREE phone call from Santa
Santa really does exist. Just ask Cincinnati Bell.
This year they are offering free phone calls from Santa for good little girls and boys in the 937, 513, 812 and 859 area codes. No calls for children on the naughty list though.
There are 4 different messages to choose from and Santa can make the phone calls between now and Dec. 24 (must be scheduled by Dec. 23). You can preview all 4 messages to pick the one that suits your child the best.
You can pick out the child’s name from a list and Santa will even say the child’s name when he calls. Personally I found the list to be lacking a few pretty common names (including my own), however there is an option if their name is not listed.
When Santa calls, if you have Caller ID, the number will be shown as either 513-565-5280 or CB - North Pole.
When you schedule your free call, you’ll get a confirmation e-mail from Santa’s Workshop (SantasWorkshop@zoomtown.com) letting you know when to expect the phone to ring.
You’ll need to visit www.cincinnatibell.com/santa to schedule your call(s).
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TweetHappy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to you all.
I hope your day is filled with your favorite foods, happy memories and your favorite people.
As usual on Thanksgiving, we stop to consider what we’re thankful for.
I am most thankful that in this economy I have a job and that I’m able to help out others because of that. And of course, I’m thankful for my family — especially my adorable nieces and nephew.
What are you thankful for?
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TweetBlack Friday Survival Guide
Black Friday is almost upon us. Just a little over 24 hours remain until the doors open and the madness begins. But before you head out, check out these survival tips and give our Deals blogger Jill Kelley’s tips and store hours list a gander.
Without further ado, I give you… Survival tips for brave Black Friday shoppers everywhere…
- Pay attention to the ads: No one likes to get to a store and realize that the sale on that DVD only applies to the full screen version and you want wide-screen (or whatever other nightmare realization you might have)
- Wear clothes appropriate to the weather (both in and out): If it’s cold out, have a coat/jacket/sweater handy for waiting in lines before stores open, but be prepared to tie it around your waist or put it in a cart, if you’re lucky enough to find one. The less you have on, the better. Stores get very warm with thousands of people running around for the best deals. »Check the forecast for Friday
- Make a list! I cannot emphasize this one enough. Without it, you’ll surely forget at least one item you came for. If you’re super-organized, it helps to put the item, the store where it’s on sale and how much it’s supposed to be on sale for. Also handy, carry a highlighter to mark things off as you get them. (Print a handy, pre-organized list here!)
- Clean out your trunk (or cargo area): Better to have PLENTY of room for unexpectedly large items, or all of your shopping bags. Plus, if it’s in the trunk, it’s out of sight and theives are less likely to break in to steal your holiday gifts.
- Bring a reusable shopping bag or two: When there are no carts or baskets available you’ll be glad you have a handy bag to tote stuff to the registers in. Staff photographer Teesha McClam uses one that zips up to be pretty small until she needs it.
- Bring your ads with you: If you’ve got it, the store can’t dispute the price and you can check again on things you saw through the turkey haze the night before.
- Keep drinks and snacks in your car: You may have to wait in yet another line to get a beverage or a bite to eat in the stores and this way you stay hydrated, fed and safe. So pack up a small cooler with some drinks and snacks (sandwich size bags of crackers, chips and other snacks work well as do the various 100-calorie items).
- Pack light: If you’re carrying a purse, clean it out the night before so you have only the essentials (checkbook, credit cards, ID, store savings/rewards cards, cell phone, gum and a hairband if needed). If you really want to be safe, make sure it’s a purse that’s easy to carry, preferably across your body. It’ll make it that much more difficult for someone to snatch it from you. If you’re only carrying a wallet, clean it out too. If it’s too thick, it’s hard on your back.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes: Tensions will be running high, everyone will be tired and the last thing you need is for your feet to be aching while you wait in line. Same goes for your clothes. If you aren’t comfortable, change! No one cares if you’re making a fashion statement or not. It’s Black Friday.
- Put gas in your car the night before: Time is of the essence here. You won’t have time to stop and fill up between getting to and from each store you need to hit. Although, if you aren’t out shopping, lines at the pump shouldn’t be too bad…
- Have fun and be kind to fellow shoppers! This one may just be the most important! If you aren’t having a good time, you’re only going to make others miserable too. If you’re nice to others, it will likely come back to you. If you’re not, chances are, that’ll come back too, only you probably won’t like it.
« Printable, pre-organized shopping list This ready-to-print list (example at left) will make your Black Friday easier in just 3 steps. It has a column for the store, item, price and details for each item on your Black Friday wish list. This will make sure you know where you’re going and what you’re after in each store.
»Step 1: Click here and print the list. Step 2: Fill it out. Step 3: Take it with you on Black Friday.Happy Black Friday shopping!
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Shopping & Gift Giving
TweetWhen do you put up your Christmas lights?
With the weather in Ohio being exceptionally nice for this time of year lately, I know of more than a few people who’ve already put up (but not turned on) their Christmas lights and outdoor decorations.
I often put mind up the weekend before Thanksgiving so I can turn them on Thanksgiving night after dinner. I like them to be on for the early morning Black Friday shoppers heading out. We’ll see if that happens this year or if I’ll be freezing my fingertips off in a few weeks trying to get them up before it’s too late to bother.
But when do you turn them on for the first time (other than to check)?
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Tweet99.9 Lite FM now playing all Christmas music all the time
As of noon today, 99.9 Lite FM switched over to Christmas music 24/7 through at least the end of the year.
In previous years the switch has happened the Friday before Thanksgiving, but this year it’s another day earlier (as much of the holiday trimming, shopping and spirit seems to be this year). You can listen live on their Web site if you aren’t in their listening area.
If you aren’t ready for Christmas music just yet, an e-mail from 99.9 invited members to listen to their sister station MIX 107.7.
Also today, woxy.com (formerly a station in Oxford, then Cincinnati and then finally online) announced that their Holiday Mixer is up and running until the new year if you’re looking for something a little different. According to their site, the Mixer features “hundreds of seasonal tunes and is filled with unique renditions of your holiday favorites by modern rockers from around the globe.” The woxy.com staff and offices recently moved to Texas but since they are online only, you can listen to them from anywhere and get your Christmas on. > Listen to it now.
If you’re feeling daring you can test your Christmas song lyric knowledge with our lyrics quiz here.
All this Christmas music talk leads to the inevitable question: What’s your favorite Christmas song? Note: This poll couldn’t possibly include everyone’s favorites, otherwise it would just be more of a list. So vote and/or comment with your favorites below.
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TweetIt’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Move over turkey.
If you’ve been inside a store lately, you know that around southwest Ohio (and one would assume, around the country) it’s beginning to look, and sound and yes, even feel, a lot like Christmas.
Stores seem to have skipped right on over Thanksgiving and all of it’s delicious food delight. The few Thanksgiving items stores did have available were sent away like the jack-o-lanterns rotting on the porch with the leftover Halloween goodies and are long-since gone.
But, this is good news if you’re already getting in the holiday spirit. Carols are playing on store radios, gift ideas, candy and decor are everywhere. Stores are already starting their big sales (and price wars).
It’s enough to make a person want to put up the tree and start wrapping gifts. I know a few people who’ve done just that.
So what do you think? Is it too early or just right for the holidays to be upon us? Vote and share your thoughts below.
Permalink | Comments (12) | Post your comment | Categories: Shopping & Gift Giving
TweetReady to mail holiday cards? ‘09 stamp designs can brighten up a white envelope
It may only be November but the United States Postal Service is at the ready with this year’s holiday stamp designs.
Featuring a reindeer, a snowman, a gingerbread man and a toy soldier (similar to the nutcrackers of last year), the stamps, which were designed by Joseph Cudd of Greensboro, NC, come in booklets of 20 stamps for $8.80 (or a 5 pack of booklets with 100 stamps for $44).
You can buy the stamps online or at your friendly neighborhood Post Office.
You can also check out the USPS Holiday site to find shipping deadlines, packages and info.
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