Williamstown Tree Lighting Ceremony

Williamstown Tree lighting ceremony
December 1st, 2011

The Williamstown High School choir and band will be performing at the event.
The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by cookies and hot chocolate.

LOWES Build and Grow Clinic

If you have ever considered the building clinics this is the week to do it!!! 

LOWES build and Grow Clinic this week (Saturday Dec. 3 at 10:00 AM) will be making this train car.  The first in series it sounds like so if you are just getting started this might be a great first time project. Go here to sign up for this free kids building clinic (but if you don't sign up you can still attend). What a fun project to get Christmas spirit running in your house.
Each child will receive all the items needed for their train as well as a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certificate when they complete their project. 

Project designed for children in grades 2-5. (my 4 year old has been several times and there were TONS of kids his age there too . . . I would say the age is a guideline and if you are willing to help the child 4 and up is probably fine)



Home Depot Kids Workshop

Home Depot Kids Workshop will be held this weekend (Saturday, Dec. 3) at all Home Depot stores from 9-noon. They will be making a snowman napkin holder this week. I LOVE this!!! Workships are designed for children ages 5-12. Go here for more details, but no sign up is necessary.  You can show up anytime between 9 and about 11:30 and still have time to finish your project.  It takes very little time and if your child is anything like mine he or she will be VERY proud of this project.  How about giving it away as a Christmas gift?

The workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, this fun time allows for quality one-on-one time between adults and children.

In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates' aprons, and an achievement pin

Breakfast with Santa Opportunities

Breakfast with Santa

Dec 3, 2011 7am - 9am
Saint Margaret Mary Parish Hall, 2500 Dudley Ave., Parkersburg

Free Breakfast with Santa. Information and staff will be available if you have questions or are intersted in becoming a foster home for the Children's Home Society of WV Parkersburg site
contact Greg Nicholson, 304-485-0650 with questions

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Breakfast with Santa Fundraiser
Dec 3, 2011 9am to 11am
Warren High School Cafeteria

A pancake breakfast with a visit from Santa and Elves
contact Suzan Edgell, 740.678.7330 with questions

Barlow, OH Christmas Events

Barlow, OH Christmas in the Village event (see website here for more info)

Saturday, December 3rd

9:00am-Christmas in the Village Progressive Shopping (map available here) with 24 stops and 75 vendors
5:00pm-Illuminated Christmas Parade
6:00pm-Barlow Fairgrounds Festival of Lights Drive-Thru

Sunday, December 4th

2:00-4:00--Tour of Historical Churches (tickets $5)

Christmas Events

Be sure and check out my new Christmas events tab above . . . when you click on it it will show you the most up to date info I can find on local parades, the best Christmas light displays in town, and anything else I can come up with!

Do you know a neighborhood that needs listed on the best light displays?  Message me or leave a comment and I'll add it to the list!

Christmas Parades in the Mid Ohio Valley

Christmas Parades in the Mid Ohio Valley

Marietta, OH-November 26th 1:00 PM (Ohio St, Second St., Greene St., Front St., Putnam St.,)

Belpre, OH-November 26th 6:00 PM (Washington Blvd.- beginning at the high school)(Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet children at the bandstand gazebo in Civitan Park following the parade)

Harrisville, WV-November 26th 6:00 PM (Main Street)(following the parade, Santa will be available for free photos and refreshments)

Beverly-Waterford, OH-November 27th 5:30 PM (Main St. in Waterford to Ohio 339 to Ohio 60 in Beverly and ending at Dodge Park-ending with free refreshments)

Barlow, OH-December 3, 5:00 PM (begins at the elementary school)

Vienna, WV-December 10, 11:00 AM (Grand Central Ave.)

Parkersburg, WV-December 10, 1:30 PM

Small Business Saturday in Marietta, OH

Small Business Saturday . . . the day after Black Friday when we all shop at small local businesses and they offer their deals for the season (who knew?) Evidently this is a national thing! :-) Front Street in Marietta is all excited about this event and will have many free things to check out.

UPDATE--While you are there checking it out be sure and see the parade on Front Street at 1:00. (thanks Kelly)

Teri Ann's- will be offering a free gift with purchase and free refreshments

BLACK FRIDAY in Parkersburg, WV

RESTAURANT DEALS

• McDonalds-FREE small premium roast coffee until 10:00AM (Central & Southern WV, Eastern OH, and Southeastern KY stores)
• Logans-If you are a member of the NUT-e-club at Logans be sure and print the coupon in your e-mail for $10 Logans bucks for every $25 in gift cards . . . this is a HUGE savings!!!

STORE MATCHUPS and OPENING TIMES (thanks to Hip2Save for many of the deals)

• This site has store opening times, price match policies, and some ad scans for JCPenney, Kohls, SEARS, Old Navy, Toys R Us, Walmart and many more.  If you prefer to see the actual ad but you don't get the paper try this site (which I find a tad confusing) but it has the color ad scans for many stores listed. 
• CVS-Open Thanksgiving Day-coupon matchups here (deals good through Saturday)
• Grand Central Mall- All stores open by 5:00 AM
• JCPenney-opens at 4:00AM deal matchups here
• RiteAid-openings vary (some Thanksgiving day) deal matchups here (deals good through Saturday)
• Toys-r-Us-deal matchups here
• Walmart-(coupon matchups here) is having a rolling opening this year.  Here are the specific list of items on sale and what time they will be available from their corporate office.
• Old Navy-Open Thursday 9AM and earlier for card holders -- see matchups here
• Radio Shack-Open 5:30AM Friday--see deals and coupon matchups here
• Lowes-Open 5AM Friday--see deals here
• Sears-Open 4AM Friday--see deals and coupon matchups here
• Kohls-Open 12AM Friday morning--see deals and coupon matchups here

Hallmark $5 off $10 coupon

Go here to Hallmark Facebook page here and like them get get a coupon for $5 off any purchase of $10 or more.  This is a GREAT coupon to use to buy your Christmas cards or gift items.  I used them last year for some adorable WVU necklaces for under $5 each after coupon.  Hurry though, coupons expire next week!

Don't forget, there is still a Hallmark in Marietta behind Applebee's

Holiday in the Park (City Park, Southwood Park)

The Christmas lights are on in City Park and Southwood Park in Parkersburg!  City park has added Tow Mater, Shrek, and Scooby Doo to their already large grouping of lights this year.  Also, see if your family can find all 12 of the days of Christmas throughout City Park.

Displays will be lit from 6:00-10:00pm nightly through Dec. 31 and on weekends (beginning Dec. 3) a horse drawn carriage ride will be available to take you through the displays

Also, letters to Santa can be dropped off at the City Park Pavilion drop box.  Each letter will be answered with a return letter so be sure and put the return address.

Curious George Movie to Air on PBS

If you have little ones in your house you might want to set your DVR to record the Curious George Movie Marathon set to air on PBS this Wednesday (November 23).  We own two of these movies and it's just good, funny, family entertainment for the toddler/preschool age child.  Pop some popcorn and make it a movie night together with your child.  See here for details and actual showtimes.  Sometimes it's hard to find full length movies appropriate for this age child so I want to point out quality ones when I know they are on!

Holiday Taste of Sam's Club

Holiday Taste of Sam's Club

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday November 18th-20th

Head here to see all the amazing things you will be able to sample this weekend during the weekend sampling event.  My family loves this event every year.  Great time to try new things that we wouldn't normally buy for FREE!!!  Somehow 4 year olds are much more likely to try things when they are in a little sample dish.  :-)  They will also have recipes and cooking specialists who will help you learn how to cook their products the best possible way. 

Winter Festival of Lights (Wheeling, WV)

Wheeling, WV is again hosting it's Winter Festival of Lights
November 11, 2011 - January 8, 2012
Sunday through Thursday until 10:00 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday until 11:00 p.m

for directions or more information go to their website here.  This light display has been recognized as one of the 10 best light displays in the US and it's less than 2 hours from us here in Parkersburg.  The light display is technically free but a donation is STRONGLY recommended (like, last year they had a person stop each car and ask for donations before you could pass them . . . probably should have $5 or so on hand)

There are WAY too many specific events going on at the park during the festival of lights besides just looking at the lights for me to mention all of them.  Go here for a complete listing.

Toys For Tots Event

Toys for Tots Event

Nov 19, 2011 10 am - 4 pm
South Parkersburg Baptist Church

Christmas Sampler benefiting Toys for Tots - Local vendors will set up their wares & demo products they have for sale. Admission is a new unwrapped toy. will have a photographer doing Christmas pictures, concessions, kids make & take craft projects and more.

Lowes Build and Grow Clinic

LOWES build and Grow Clinic this week (Saturday Nov. 19 at 10:00 AM) will be making this santa sleigh. Go here to sign up for this free kids building clinic. What a fun project to get Christmas spirit running in your house.

Each child will receive all the items needed for their sleigh as well as a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certificate when they complete their project.

Project designed for children in grades 2-5. (my 4 year old went once and there were TONS of kids his age there too . . . I would say the age is a guideline and if you are willing to help the child 4 and up is probably fine)

Money Saving Mom publishes books!!!

My very favorite blogger and the person that has taught me the most about couponing and saving money is Crystal at moneysavingmom.com  She has just recently written and published a book on her spending and budget tips and I'm sure if it's anything like her blog, it will be amazing.  Here is a link to where you can get a copy of her book on Amazon-I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

PLUS, if you have a facebook, blogger, pinterest, or twitter account you can post about her book (as I did above) and get a FREE copy of her e-book on freezer cooking (something I am just getting into) you can read about those details here I can't wait to read one or both of these books and see how much more I can learn from Crystal.

Stationery card

Holiday Letter Christmas Card

Create personalized Christmas photo cards at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

American Girl Holiday Tea

Betsy Mills Club, Marietta, OH

Join us on Saturday, November 19, 2011 from 2-4pm in the Betsey's Dining Room for the annual AMERICAN GIRL HOLIDAY TEA, featuring the doll 'Kanani'. Bring your dolls to this fun-filled afternoon tea featuring parlor games and food! This tea is intended for ladies 7-12 years old. Please call for reservations at (740) 373-4981.

Ruby Tuesdays So Connected Club

Do you like Ruby Tuesdays?  If so then you need to join their So Connected club here.  I am getting at least one coupon a month from them and it's usually Buy one Get one coupon or a 25% off your entire bill coupon (which is GREAT for large parties) Can't hurt to have these sitting in your e-mail inbox for those nights you don't want to cook! 

PLUS a free burger meal coupon in your birthday month.  (take that one take out for lunch one day!)

Lowes Build and Grow Clinic

LOWES build and Grow Clinic this week (Saturday Nov. 12 at 10:00 AM) will be making this science lab. Go here to sign up for this free kids building clinic. What a fun project for your curious child.

Each child will receive all the items needed for their lab as well as a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certificate when they complete their project.

Project designed for children in grades 2-5. (my 4 year old went once and there were TONS of kids his age there too . . . I would say the age is a guideline and if you are willing to help the child 4 and up is probably fine)

Do it HERSELF workshop at Home Depot FREE

Home Depot is offering a craft workshop just for women that is completely free this month. 
Thursday, November 10, 2011 --Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

You will learn new skills and make a sample project to take home.  This week is Martha Stewart Living: Holiday Crafts (here is what their website says)

• Get holiday ready with help from Martha Stewart Living
• Discover how to choose the correct paint, tools and accessories for your home craft projects
• Learn more about our selection of MSL project paints and stencils
• Decorate a tile coaster and frame using MSL project paints and stencils — FREE to take home!

no sign up is necessary but you can go here for more information.

Home Depot Kids Workshop

Home Depot Kids Workshop will be held this weekend (Saturday, Nov. 5)  at all Home Depot stores from 9-noon. They will be making a veterans day frame this week. I LOVE this!!!  Workships are designed for children ages 5-12. Go here for more details, but no sign up is necessary.

The workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, this fun time allows for quality one-on-one time between adults and children.

In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates' aprons, and an achievement pin.