Shopping Survival Tips

 Here are some great shopping survival tips and tricks to help you get through the next month.  If you love Christmas, but hate the shopping this blog is for you. 

The leftover turkey is wrapped up and stowed in your refrigerator, the Thanksgiving pies have been devoured, and you’re ready for a long vacation. Unfortunately, the Christmas shopping season kicks off with a vengeance even before you’ve had time to make that cold turkey-stuffing-cranberry-sauce sandwich. Don’t stress out yet—we’ve shared some tips for saving money and staying sane while navigating holiday shopping madness. 

Make a List

Write down everyone you plan to buy a gift for, no matter how small the gift may be. Include ideas of what to give each person, along with the maximum amount you’re willing to spend. Don’t forget to list the people who will receive holiday tips, such as your doorman, babysitter, and mail carrier. This will help you manage your holiday budget. 

Start Early

Don’t wait until after Thanksgiving to start buying holiday gifts. Keep your eyes open all year round for items friends and family would like; it’s often when you’re not looking for something specific that you stumble across the perfect gift for Dad or your best friend Jenny. Once December hits, you’ll be glad that you already have some people crossed off your list. Just make sure to keep all your advance gifts in a designated (and hidden, if necessary) spot so that you don’t forget a purchase you made months in advance. 

Do Online Research

If you’re unsure of which specific item to buy (for example, you want to buy your husband a digital camera but don’t know what brand or model is best), search for reputable online reviews. You’ll have to pay a small subscription fee, but Consumerreports.org has hundreds of expert reviews on everything from laptops to baby strollers to breakfast cereals. Or check sites with user reviews and ratings, such as Amazon.com or Cnet.com, to find out which products have the most positive feedback. To find the best online price, use a comparison shopping site, such as Pricegrabber.com. 

Get No-Cost Holiday Shipping

Last-minute shoppers, here’s a gift for you. On December 17, 2012, more than 1,000 online merchants, like Best Buy and L.L.Bean, will offer free shipping with delivery by Christmas Eve. (Go to freeshippingday.com for details.) Prefer to get your Christmas shopping done early? Peruse this list of popular e-retailers that offer gratis shipping now through December 20.

Do It Yourself

There’s an abundance of homemade pickles, hand-knit hats, and handcrafted stationary these days, thanks to a growing obsession with all things crafty, artisanal, and homespun (just look at all the unique things for sale on Etsy.com). If you’re creatively inclined, avoid mall madness altogether and bake a batch of cookies, sew personalized tote bags, or make beautiful earrings for friends and family. If you need to learn a new skill, look into classes in your neighborhood or invest in a how-to book—there’s one for just about every craft out there. 

For more information see Real Simple.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! Spend some time with your friends and family and remember everything in life that you are thankful for.

Premium Outlet Sales and Specials

 Thanksgiving is a week away.  Do you know where you are black Friday shopping yet?  Here are some tips on Premium Outlets Sales and Specials over the next week.

After-Thanksgiving Weekend Sale
 

Midnight Madness Kick-Off*
 

Fri - Sun, Nov 23 - 25

Mark your calendar Don't miss the biggest sale event of the year. Enjoy exceptional holiday savings and extended shopping hours, plus, experience Midnight Madness as many stores open their doors at midnight right after Thanksgiving.* Some stores may open even earlier. A list of store sale information is posted on each center-specific Sales & Events page. Check center-specific websites for extended sale hours. Select a center from the drop-down menu above.

*Midnight opening after Thanksgiving at all Premium Outlet Centers® except Florida Keys Outlet Center; Factory Merchants Branson, MO & The Shoppes at Branson Meadows, MO; Factory Stores of America centers in: Boaz, AL; Graceville, FL; Story City, IA; Georgetown, KY; Lebanon, MO; Nebraska City, NE.

American Express® Cardmember Offer
 

Aug 1 - Dec 31

American Express is teaming up with Premium Outlets® to bring you this great offer. Securely sync your eligible American Express® Card with Facebook or Twitter to receive a one-time $10 statement credit when you buy $50 or more in Premium Outlets® | Simon® Gift Cards at a participating Premium Outlet Center®.* Visit sync.americanexpress.com to sync your Card.
*All Premium Outlet Centers will participate in this promotion with the exception of Florida Keys Outlet Center, Huntley Outlet Center, Liberty Village Premium Outlets, Outlet Marketplace and Puerto Rico Premium Outlets. Gift Cards must be purchased on-site at centers. Enrollment is limited. Offer valid from 08/01/2012 to 12/31/2012. Not valid for online sales. $2.95 card purchase fee applies. View Full Terms and Conditions.

Sandy Storm Relief: How You Can Help

In Sandy's wake, thousands of people have turned to the Red Cross for help. Every donation brings hope. Visit redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Message & Data Rates May Apply.

For more information see Premium Outlets.

Grants for Healthy Living

Congrats to these Dawson Area Schools that have won grants to fight childhood obesity.  This money includes improvements to fitness programs, healthy eating, and health education.  They are also going to use the excitement over the grant to encourage children to do their best with competitions and contests.

Georgia health officials have announced North Hall Middle School, Chestnut Mountain Creative School of Inquiry and Black's Mill Elementary School in Dawsonville are among 21 schools that have gotten state grants to help fight childhood obesity.

North Hall Middle Principal Brad Brown said his school also got another fitness-based award.

"We also won the NFL Play 60 award. A total of $10,800. The $800 came additionally for some other equipment," Brown said.

With the Georgia grants, these area schools got up to $5,000 to implement physical activity and nutrition plans. They come from the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Governor's SHAPE initiative.

Hall County school system spokesman Gordon Higgins said another Hall County school may be in line for the award.

"East Hall middle may also be getting a grant, so we keep getting good news about these initiatives we've got under way to have healthier lifestyles for the children here in Hall County."

Brown said they have a plan in place for the funds. He said one of the big items is activity bands. They cost about $150 a piece. They'll also buy an Ipad to track the data.

"The kids will actually sign these things out, and they'll set personal goals. We call them fuel goals," Brown said.

The devices keep track of the student's activity. When they turn them in, teachers can see if the student met their goals.

"We're going to have individual goals, class goals and competitions, just to try to get people involved," Brown said.

In addition to the grant money, Brown said his school has been busy with a variety of wellness activities. They revamped the school store and changed it to a fuel up station, with healthier snacks and portion sizes. They also do a morning announcement with healthy tips, as well as exercise flash mobs and family fitness nights.

Brown said they also do a morning mile, with students voluntarily coming in early to walk.

For more information see Access North Georgia.

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