Thursday, December 20, 2012
Survey by Georgia Credit Union Affiliates shows most Georgians plan to spend about the same or less on Christmas gifts.
- BUSINESS
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Thursday, December 20, 2012
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.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
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.
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!
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
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Tuesday, December 18, 2012
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
Have fun with the kids and make your home more festive with this holiday craft.
- ARTS
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Sunday, December 16, 2012
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Smyrna children can meet Santa every weekend in December before Christmas at Aunt Fanny's Cabin.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
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Tuesday, December 11, 2012
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:
Saturday, December 8, 2012
The USPS offers tips and suggestions so holiday packages arrive in time for the holidays.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
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Saturday, December 8, 2012
Are you one of the many holiday revelers with families and friends spread all over the country and the world? If so, even before you dive into that gift list, it's important to know how early must you buy, wrap and post holiday gifts so they get to their destination in time for the holidays. “The holiday season is the busiest time of year for the Postal Service but we are prepared to deliver,” Atlanta District Manager Salvatore Vacca said in a press release. During this holiday season, Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve, the Postal Service also expects: Here are some suggestions and mailing deadline dates from the USPS to ensure your gifts are delivered on time and in one piece: The Postal Service recommends the following mail-by dates to …
Friday, December 7, 2012
Head to the North Cobb area Friday, Dec. 7 for Santa's Arrival, and get an opportunity to write letters to service members overseas.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Angela Chao
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Friday, December 7, 2012
This week's Cobb, Douglas and Paulding Weekend & Community Spotlight features Santa's Arrival in Acworth. The streets of Historic Downtown Acworth are expected to be filled with thousands of people Friday night for Santa's Arrival, a tradition in the community for more than 10 years. Santa will arrive in a military vehicle this year, giving the children an opportunity to write letters to soldiers serving our country overseas. Bring the whole family to kick off the holiday season, and enjoy an evening of music and entertainment with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Have a great event coming up in your community? Upload it onto your Patch, then email Editor Angela Chao at angela.chao@patch.com, and your event could be featured in the next Weekend …
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Steps you can take to decrease your chances of being a victim.
While you're away at the malls doing some window shopping for the holidays, bear in mind that thieves are, too. Drive around Smyrna-Vinings and South Cobb neighborhoods and you'll see amazing displays of holiday decorations. But having those Christmas trees and scores of gifts tucked underneath in full public view 24-7 is not a good idea. "If I can see it, so can the criminals," said Atlanta Police Department Lt. Marshall Roberson. "You've got to think about this stuff. Use a little common sense; don't have everything visible to the street from your window." He said that with the holiday season now here, folks will be receiving lots of packages. Those are tempting to thieves too and recipients should take extra steps to ensure secure …
Thanks to a very special U.S. Postal Service program, "Santa" will reply to children who mail him their Christmas wish lists this holiday season.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
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Thursday, December 6, 2012
Every year, millions of children sit down to make a wish list for Santa, hoping he will make all of their Christmas dreams come true. But what if Santa actually wrote back? The United States Postal Service is now accepting "Letters From Santa," a program that allows any person to play Santa by sending a letter signed by Saint Nick to any child. According to a postal service news release, "The 'Letters From Santa' program helps parents fulfill the dreams of their own children." Instructions to send a letter from Santa: Letters to Santa can be dropped off at any post office location as well as the Santa mailboxes. TELL US: Do your children or children in your family plan on writing a letter to Santa this year?
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
This will be the 12th year for Smyrna Shop with A Hero, where local police officers, firefighters and military personnel take needy children Christmas shopping.
- LOCAL CONNECTIONS
- Angela Chao
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Wednesday, December 5, 2012
The Smyrna Public Safety Foundation (SPSF) is gearing up for this year's Smyrna Shop With A Hero, an annual holiday event where local police officers, firefighters and military personnel from Dobbins Air Reserve Base take under priviledged children Christmas shopping. This will be the the 12th year for Smyrna Shop With A Hero, and the SPSF is inviting residents to participate by making tax deductible donations. You can donate online at http://smyrnapsf.org/, drop off your donations at any Smyrna firestation, or mail them in to the address below: Smyrna Public Safety Foundation P.O. Box 2216 Smyrna, Georgia 30080 Checks should be made payable to Smyrna Public Safety Foundation, with a memo suggesting that it is for Shop With A Hero. All …
