This week you'll find lots of free family fun activities, some Christmas specials and more. Enjoy!
Family Fun
The cooler temperatures have definitely made it feel more like the holidays, and this Saturday, December 15th the Hill Country Galleria will provide the snow. It’s true, they are bringing in snow machines, so you and your kids can build snow men, make snow angels and just feel like you’ve escaped to a winter wonderland. The fun begins at noon and lasts until 4pm. Thanks Constance for the tip!
Pflugerville is hosting a fun free family event at Heritage Park this Friday, December 14th from 6 to 9pm. There will be hot chocolate and cookies, children's arts and crafts, a hay ride and free pictures with Santa plus several school choirs will perform. To see the full schedule go here or call 512-990-6355.
Four Seasons Gingerbread Village - Wednesday, November 21 through January 1, 2013. I just shot a story on this which will air Sunday night and it is incredible. The village, created by the Four Seasons pastry chefs. This year’s theme: "Eclectic Austin" landmarks. You’ll see everything from The Salt Lick to the Cathedral of Junk to Hey Cupcake. It’s FREE. The open houses are next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 to 6pm and you can enjoy free cookies and Santa will be there too. Four Seasons Austin, 98 San Jacinto Blvd.
Free fun in Austin.com has put together a terrific list of ways to save at Sea World San Antonio.
Freebies
Through Christmas Eve, Austin-area kids can receive a personalized phone call from Santa thanks to Austin-based start-up Audingo, creator of an innovative voice and video mobile messaging platform and Mix 94.7. Just text your child’s name to 512-MIX-0054, and Santa rings the phone number within 10 minutes, addressing the recipient by name with a special message. Here’s an example: http://audingo.me/VLwHla
Amazon.com has a great selection of Kindle freebies, but right now they have a free Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Amazon offers lots of free songs, including this free Christmas album.
And 12 free songs just for kids you can download free. Many of them are the classics you’ll remember from when you were a child.
People magazine is offering more free music downloads, this time they have seven Christmas songs from some of the hottest country musicians like Brad Paisley, Lady Antebellum and Sara Evans. These songs will be available through January 4th.
This is always a great idea. You can record a free bedtime book recording of some really fun titles.
This is one of my favorite Christmas freebies. Here’s a way for you to get Santa to send a personalized video message to your child. It’s really cool. You supply your child’s first name and the town and pictures of your child, even fun events and they do the rest. It’s amazing and so memorable.
Free Car Seat Safety Checks
Scott & White and Texans in Motion are once again offering several free car seat safety checks in January. You need to call ahead to make a reservation for most of them:
- 01/08/13 - Seton Medical Center Hays; 10am – 1pm; 6001 Kyle Parkway, Kyle – 78640; (512) 336-3423.
- 01/09/13 - Baby Earth; 10am – 1pm; 106 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Round Rock – 78664; (512) 600-7050
- 01/15/13 - Steiner Ranch Fire Station; 10am – 1pm; 3048 Steiner Ranch Blvd., Austin – 78726; 512-336-3423.
- 01/16/13 - Marble Falls EMS Station; 10am – 1pm; 609 Industrial Blvd., Marble Falls - 78654; (830) 693-7277.
- 01/17/13 - Lockhart EMS Station; 10am – 1pm; 1914 W. San Antonio St., Lockhart – 78644; (512) 336-3423.
- 01/12/13- Johnson City Check-up; 11am- 1pm; 105 No. LBJ Dr., Johnson City – 78636; (512) 336-3423; No Appointment Necessary.
- 01/24/13 - Leander Central Fire Station; 10am – 1pm; 201 Brushy St. No., Leander – 78641; (512) 259-9010
On line savings
Still need to do some shopping? You can enjoy free shipping at thousands of on line retailers Monday, December 17th. Just check out Free Shipping Day for all of the information. This site puts all the retailers in one place so all you have to do is shop.
Austin based Offers.com deal experts have compiled a list of some great site-wide coupons and product deals below to save money on gifts for everyone on your list. Thanks Shermayne for the tip!
Bath & Body Works Deal
Free product with $10 purchase
http://www.offers.com/bath-body-works/?offer_id=1044088
Kohls Deal
65% off Chenille Throw
http://www.offers.com/kohls/?offer_id=1072795
Was $49.99 - Now Only $16.99
Shoes.com Deal
20% off Sitewide
http://www.offers.com/shoes-com/?offer_id=1065374
Buy.com Deal
52% off Just Dance Game
http://www.offers.com/buy/?offer_id=1025236
Was $39.99 - Now Only $18.95
Ashford deal
52% off Women's Seiko Watch
http://www.offers.com/buy/?offer_id=1025236
Was $315 - Now Only $94
Free workshops
Apple offers all kinds of classes for people of all ages throughout the year to learn how to get full use from their Apple products. They usually pretty popular this time of year. To check out the full schedule go here.
Microsoft has a relatively new store at the Domain and they have all kinds of really cool classes for kids of all ages including toddlers all the way up to adults. You can check out the full calendar here.
