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Christmas 2012

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Christmas Fun Facts and Trivia

How much will we spend this year? And what's the best-selling Christmas song of all time? Find the answers below.

We know that there were three Wise Men, 12 days of Christmas and that Santa delivers all his presents around the world in one night. But did you know... $23,439.38  How much it would cost to buy your "true love" the gifts in the 12 Day of Christmas . 12.9 billion hours, $447 billion How many hours Americans were expected to spend shopping, wrapping and returning gifts last year. That was about 42 hours and $688.87 per person.  Get your postman/postwoman a gift According to Hallmark, Christmas is the largest card-sending occasion . Nearly 1.5 billion cards are sent to friends and family every Christmas Season. (That's actually down 400 million cards since 2004.) $983 million The value of U.S. imports of Christmas tree ornaments from China…

Patty Rech

7:24 am on Wednesday, December 26, 2012

These were fun, thanks, SCPatch!   more ›

Sunday, December 23, 2012

GDOT Keeping Holiday Travel Merry

Because Christmas Day falls on a Tuesday, GDOT is anticipating more travelers on Georgia's highways during the holiday period.

The Georgia Department of Transportation will suspend construction-related lane closures on all interstates and major state routes through midnight Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, for holiday travelers. The exception will be incident management or emergency maintenance-related lane closures that could become necessary, according to a press release issued by GDOT. Also, crews may still be working, and heavy equipment may remain staged in close proximity to highways. Safety concerns may require some long-term lane closures remain in place.  GDOT anticipates more travelers than usual during the holiday period with Christmas Day falling on a Tuesday. The department reminds travelers to exercise caution due to the heavy holiday traffic. Also, motorists …

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Last Chance: Smyrna Santa House

Smyrna children can meet Santa one last time before Christmas at Aunt Fanny's Cabin.

Don't miss the last weekend to hand deliver Christmas wish lists and have a private conversation with the jolly old elf himself. Santa will be available from 6-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Aunt Fanny's Cabin, located on Atlanta Road across the street from the Market Village in Smyrna. This event is co-sponsored by the Smyrna Optimist Club and the City of Smyrna.

Friday, December 21, 2012

The Weekender: Santa's Workshop, Hot Chocolate and Candy Canes

It's the last weekend to tell Santa what you want for Christmas.

Live Nativity When: 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday Where: Saint Teresa's Episcopal Church, 5725 Fords Rd. NW, Acworth | Get directions Why Go: People who have attended in previous years have experienced “many really powerful ... moments,” according to organizer Paula Flippin. Price: Free Kennesaw State University Women's Basketball vs. Georgia Southern When: 7 p.m. Friday Where: KSU Convocation Center, 1000 Chastain Rd. NW, Kennesaw | Get directions   Why Go: The home team needs your support. Price: $6 | Buy tickets Santa's Workshop When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday Where: Marietta Square, 50 North Park Square NE, Marietta | Get directions Why Go: This is your last weekend to tell Santa what you want for Christmas. …

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Holiday Shoppers Rein in Spending

Survey by Georgia Credit Union Affiliates shows most Georgians plan to spend about the same or less on Christmas gifts.

Only 3.3 percent of Georgians are planning to spend more on gifts this holiday season, according to the latest poll from Duluth-based Georgia Credit Union Affiliates (GCUA). That means 96.7 percent of shoppers are spending the same or less as in 2011. The survey also revealed: GCUA reported that retail sales for the holiday season are expected to grow 4.1 percent, less than the 5.6 percent increase experienced in 2011. Also, a survey conducted by American Express and the Harrison Group found that while the top 10 percent of the population will spend nearly 22 percent more on gifts than they did last year, overall gift giving is expected be down.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Hand-Made Wrapping Paper Ideas

What kind of wrapping paper do you use? Do you make your own?

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Top 10 Holiday Gifts for $15 or Under

Need a gift for a teacher or gift exchange at work? Perfect inexpensive gifts abound! Check out our list of ideas and let us know if you have one to add!

Do you need a nice, inexpensive gift for someone on your list this year? Check out these suggestions for gifts $15 and under. Also keep in mind that gift cards, which allow you to set your own amount are always the right size.

Share Your 'Elf on the Shelf' Hiding Spots

Our Patch Elf on the Shelf has gotten ahold of our computer and now wants to know what his buddy elves are up to. Share your photos here!

Hi friends! I'm the Patch Elf on the Shelf. Call me Patchy. I've heard about more of my friends hanging around the area lately, and I wondered what they were up to. Could their families post pictures here on Smyrna-Vinings Patch to show me? I'd love to catch up with them. We all go back to Santa on Christmas Eve, but in the meantime, we'll be watching you! Cheers, Patchy the Elf Add photos of your Elf by clicking on the green "Upload Photos and Videos" icon or use the camera icons in our Android or iPhone apps.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

How to Make Christmas Candy Wreaths [VIDEO]

Have fun with the kids and make your home more festive with this holiday craft.

 

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Holiday Fun at Smyrna Santa House

Smyrna children can meet Santa every weekend in December before Christmas at Aunt Fanny's Cabin.

This holiday season, young children and the young at heart may hand deliver Christmas wish lists and have a private conversation with the jolly old elf himself at Aunt Fanny's Cabin, located on Atlanta Road across the street from the Market Village in Smyrna. This event is co-sponsored by the Smyrna Optimist Club and the City of Smyrna. Santa is available each weekend in December before Christmas. Below are the time and dates for upcoming Santa Houses:

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