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
The wind is whistling, the temperature has dropped and we're all looking forward to our favorite fall comfort foods. Wegmans kept that in mind with its Come Home to Dinner Fall Meal Ideas, picking a perfect focus for the season--the slow cooker.
Its always helpful Web site offers all kinds of great tips on how to make inexpensive, delicious meals in the energy-sipping, lifesaving, cheapskate's-best-friend appliance, which take just a little bit of prep time and cook beautifully while you're at work.
Each menu selection (which includes such greats as Slow-Cooked Italian Sausage Agrodolce for under $2 per serving) even comes with a wine pairing!
---Samantha Maziarz Christmann
Want a home makeover, but don't have the cash?
Who needs new furniture when you can artfully rearrange the stuff you've got? Moving things around makes a room feel fresh and can give your spirits a lift. The best part is that it doesn't cost a dime.
Among several interior design software tools available on the Better Homes and Gardens Web site is Arrange-A-Room, an awesome, free program that helps you try out room configurations without having to lug heavy furniture around the room.
All you do is pick your room shape and size, add furniture and colors and voila! You've got a pretty good idea of what you're dealing with. The site also have lots of great tools to help you try out paint colors, new kitchen cabinetry and other improvements before making a purchase.
---Samantha Maziarz Christmann
In the upcoming weeks, Borders will make free WiFi service available at "virtually all" of its stores throughout the country. It signed a deal with Verizon Communications earlier this week to provide the service, which is expected to be available by mid-October.
Click here to find your closest Borders.
---Samantha Maziarz Christmann
Ever been disappointed with a hotel room that didn't measure up with its photo and description online?
In this economy, when every penny has its place and precious luxuries like vacation travel are enjoyed only rarely, that sort of thing can become more than a mere annoyance. When you finally get a chance to kick back and relax, you want everything to be just right.
As a response, a new Web site is offering travelers a more thorough look at potential lodgings with video tours of hotels in major cities around the world. TVtrip.com bundles the tours of rooms, lobbies and other accommodations with user reviews, maps and photos while allowing users to check room availability and pricing.
It's a great resource to add to your consumer toolbox when making out-of-town plans. Checking out lavish international hotels from your computer also makes for a nice, virtual mini-escape on a dreary Monday afternoon.
---Samantha Maziarz Christmann
