Your children, toddler or friends can receive a special customized video e-mail from Santa using The Portable North Pole! We sent one last year to our sons and they were delighted.
The messages can be customized for toddlers 0-3 years of age, children over 3, or adults. You put in their age, name, gender, eye color, hair color, your relationship. You can add a photo, special efforts he/she was asked to do favorite foods, best friend, pet, favorite color, what gift he/she expects this year, where he lives and even photos of events.
The Potable North Pole will compile a video specially made just for that special someone!
Amazon has cyber deals running all day long. New deals are posted every hour. I have personally used this feature for some of our holiday shopping. The lightning deals go quick so be on the lookout!
Living Social has a deal for Cyber Monday where you buy $60 worth of credit to www.wine.com for only $30. If you are one of the first 5,000 to purchase, you receive $5 off their next purchase. This is a great way to save 50% off a gift for a wine lover!
Purchase $99 or more and receive a gorgeous ring for FREE! There are six styles to choose from retailing up to $44. My personal favorite is the black and silver bloom flower ring. In addition when you shop at www.stelladot.com/jennieh I refund up to $5.95 in shipping costs for orders $50 or more (excluding tax and shipping).
Get an extra 25% off of one item with the code B4D7h9A (expires midnight 11/29/2010). In addition, Barnes & Noble has some incredible on-line discounts including 40% off children’s picture books $5 off toys & game purchases of $10 or more, buy one get one 50% off best sellers and more. Check it out on-line.
If you need a little assistance cooking that turkey dinner or just want to skip the kitchen and eat out, here is a list of a few place that can help.
Fresh Market Latham, NY – 664 New Loudon Road. Fresh Market in Latham is closed on Thursday but they have quite a few sides cooking as well as full-meals and a-la-carte items. Items on their catering include: smoked salmon, standing rib roast, holiday pies, cheesecakes, eggnog and more.
Coccadotts Cupcake Shop located at 1179 Central Avenue Albany, NY 12205 has an assortment of pies and delightful Thanksgiving themed cakes and cupcakes. Order ahead!
Cracker Barrel – has a Thanksgiving to Go menu and is open on Thanksgiving day from 11 am to close. Their catering to-go meal starts at $49.99 for a family of 6 and must be ordered in advance. Local Cracker Barrels are located in Clifton Park at 4 Tower Way and in East Greenbush at 122 Troy Road.
Twin Bridges Rotary hosts its annual Spirit of Thanksgiving at the new Salty’s Pub and Bistro. This is designed for friends and family members who need an extra boost during Thanksgiving who may otherwise spend the holiday alone. Contact to make reservations.
Glen Sander’s Mansion has a catering option this year for parties of 10 -18. The package includes the turkey, starches, vegetables and options for dessert. Delivery is also available.
Anthony’s Chocolates in Newton Plaza in Latham has 50 pieces of chocolate dipped fruit for $50. To place an order go to the order page under Chocolate Dipped Fruit and pick DF3.
Stuffing Recipes – If you are looking for a fun twist on the ordinary stuffing recipe. Click the link to see a list of creative ideas.
Thanksgiving is fast approaching and with that comes tree lighting ceremonies. Here is a list of tree lighting in the Capital Region (and a few beyond ) Look for the blue hearts for my personal favorite.
November 26, 2010
Holiday Lights in Washington Park, Albany NY – Runs from November 26, 2010 to January 2, 2011. I highly recommend this event. Drive through Washington park in the warmth of your own car. At the end you can stop to see Santa, sample fare and ride a few carnival rides. The price is $15 per car (additional fees apply for larger vehicles such as limos and buses.)
The Schenectady County Historical Society (SCHS) the YWCA NorthEastern NY (NENY) and Umbrella of the Capital District are pleased to host the 4th annual Festival of Trees. Community groups and businesses are invited to dress trees and have them on display!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Greater Loundonville Association will have its annual tree lighting at Loudon Green at 4pm. This is a relatively small tree lighting.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Rockefeller Center will have their annual tree lighting ceremony from 7:00 – 9:00 pm in Rockefeller Center, between West 48th & West 51st Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues, Manhattan.
The Schenectady Gazette Holiday Parade for 2010 steps off at 5pm at Schenectady Junior College. This is a wonderful area parade with over 100 floats. This year’s theme is Disney. It is one of the largest nighttime parades in the Northeast. We attended last year and it is one not to miss!
State Street traffic will close at 4pm so arrive early. The parade will run until about 7pm.
School is out during Thanksgiving and Christmas but work still goes on. If you are looking for a fun camp for the kids this holiday season, check out a few of these camps around the area.
Thanksgiving Holiday Camps: Wednesday, November 24, 2010
The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology offers a Sense-able Science camp for children aged 5-10 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology is located at 50 Jordan Road (in Rensselaer Technology Park) Troy, New York 12180
Thanksgiving Holiday Camps: Friday, November 26, 2010
The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology offers a Water Wonders Below the Surface camp for children aged 5-10 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology is located at 50 Jordan Road (in Rensselaer Technology Park) Troy, New York 12180
Christmas Holiday Camps December 27-31
The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology offers a week long Robotics camp for children aged 8-11 and individual theme camps for children age 5-11 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology is located at 50 Jordan Road (in Rensselaer Technology Park) Troy, New York 12180.
Afrim’s Sports in Loudonville offers a week long New Year’s Action Camp for children age 3-11. There are 3,4 and 5 full and half day options available. Camp runs from 9am-4pm. Afrim’s is located at 636 Albany Shaker Rd. Albany, NY 12211
Are you looking for ways to stay fit and trim while you are enjoying those holiday meals? The Capital Region of NY has tons of fun ways to stay active! Check back for more!
Troy Turkey Trot 2010- Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2010. Get the family together and head on over to the Troy Turkey Trot. There is something for everyone. With four race day events including a 5k, 10k, walk and kids run, the entire family can have fitness fun. You do not have to be an avid runner to enjoy this event. The 5k is filled with fun loving participants, looking to put in their once yearly run and then head off to more festivities.
Our Towne Bethlehem Turkey Trot - Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2010. Bethlehem Town Hall 445 Delaware Avenue, Delmar. Bethlehem hosts its first 5k. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Bethlehem Food Pantry.
Afrim’s Sports - Latham, NY. You do not need to be a member of a gym to get in a workout. Afrim’s has daily rate fees of $5. If you typically work out outside but bad weather has you scrambling, head over to Afrim’s for only $5 you can workout in the comfort of the indoors. No membership fees. Discounts for month, 6 month and 1 year pre-payments. You can also sign up your soccer team for the Turkey Shootout for tournament play over Thanksgiving weekend.
The Albany Adventure Bootcamp for Women – Has a pre-turkey bootcamp blast that runs from November 14- November 19 from 5:30 am – 6:30 am at Afrim’s sports in Latham, NY. You can choose to attend 4 or 5 days. She also has a 3 week camp that runs from November 29 – December 17. I have personally taken these camps and love them! Girls only!
Ciccotti Center Members – Friday, November 26, 2010 ; 9am-10am- Can participate in a Post-Thanksgiving Bootcamp.They also have several other special classes going on that day. Check on-site or on-line for more. The Ciccotti Center is located at 30 Aviation Road / Albany, NY 12205.
The holiday shopping sales have begun! Bookmark this list and check back often on updates.
Toy Story 3 for $3.99!
When you purchase $25 or more of select P&G brands at CVS, Toy Story 3 is only $3.99! I stocked up on our necessary Charmin and Bounty. Other items include Crest, Dawn and batteries. You must have an ExtraCare card to take advantage of this savings. It is free to sign up and you can sign up here on-line. Offer ends November 6, 2010.
TIP! Check the Times Union Sunday paper coupons for the P&G brandSAVER for additional savings on P&G items.
Toys R Us Circular The Great Big Christmas Book
Toys R Us distributed their first holiday circular over Halloween weekend in the mail and the Sunday newspaper. Look in there for the following savings:
FREE $10 gift card with a qualifying purchase of $75 or more. (expires 11/24/2010)
Bonus savings card of 20% off any one item (valid 10/31/2010 – 12/24/2010)
10% back on holiday purchases with the Toys R Us Reward Card. It is free to enroll and you can sign up here.
Kmart Toys Circular
The Kmart toys circular from the Times Union Sunday October 31, 2010 paper has $150 in coupons inside (between pages 24-25)
Target
Wii – Buy any 2 games and get 1 FREE on PS3, XBOX 360 or Wii brand games ($14.99-$59.99)
The Family Fall Fest is today October 24 from 2pm -4pm. Pony rides, pumpkin decorating, wagon rides and face painting. This is tons of fun for the family. Presented by the Greater Loudonville Association. The Pruyn House is located:
) Look for the blue hearts for my personal favorite.
