MoneySmart

The folks at PortableNorthPole.tv have perfected the art of PNP communication, allowing Santa Claus to send personalized messages to your girls and boys directly from the North Pole.

After filling out some brief forms (and even uploading a picture if you'd like), Santa will address your child by name and make it clear that he's been keeping an eye on him or her by sharing personalized information that only Santa would know.

It will give the kids a pre-Christmas thrill and best of all, it's free! You can even make messages for adults and teens who have been naughty or nice.

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann

I consider it sad news any time a bookstore closes. But at least we as consumers can seek some kind of solace in their going-out-of-business sales, right?

My personal favorite book store, the Book Outlet, is closing four of its locations. Thankfully, the main location on Niagara Falls Boulevard in North Tonawanda inside the majestic Wurlitzer building will remain open. But four others will be gone by January, maybe even the end of this month. Until then, they're selling their entire inventory at 80 percent off or more.

Stores are located in the Tops Plaza on Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo, the Northtown Plaza on Sheridan Drive in Amherst, the Southgate Plaza on Union Road & Seneca Street in West Seneca and at 2429 Military Road in Niagara Falls. Another location, on Maple Road in Williamsville, moved to Transit Road before closing this summer.

Two local Borders Express stores are closing as well. Stores at Boulevard Mall in Amherst and Eastern Hills Mall in Clarence will shutter by January. Those stores are currently trimming prices by up to 30 percent.

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann

Megabus.com, a low-cost, city-to-city express bus service, has announced it will give away 100,000 free seats to stimulate travel this winter.

Of the seats available, 40,000 are earmarked for travel to New York City. The rest will be split among Megabus' other routes in the Northeast and Midwest. Megabus routes from Buffalo travel to New York, Syracuse, Toronto and Rochester.

The free seats will be available for travel from Jan. 6 to March 20. You can book now using the promotional code GETAWAY. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and while supplies last. There is a 50-cent booking fee.

Megabus.com offers free Wi-Fi, reclining seats and power outlets.

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann

Chipotle Mexican Grill is opening its first Western New York restaurant in Boulevard Consumer Square this week. To celebrate, the Mexican-style fast-food chain is giving residents a sneak preview of its fare.

Thursday Dec. 10, the day before the store's grand opening, Chipotle will give out one free burrito and one free soft drink to every visitor from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1643 Niagara Falls Boulevard in Amherst.

The store will then open for regular business Friday, Dec. 11.

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann

OMG! Who knew Santa was a text messager?

AT&T customers who text the word "SANTA" to 1224 from now until Christmas Eve will receive free messages from Santa Claus and the ability to text him their Christmas wish lists.

If you prefer to send Santa a letter the old fashioned way, here is a list of addresses from the U.S. Postal Service's Operation Santa. 

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann