Black Friday Hours for Town Center at Cobb

Town Center at Cobb has announced Black Friday hours just in time for you to map out your Black Friday shopping strategy.

Heads up, Black Friday shoppers. Kennesaw's Town Center Mall has announced its hours for the official start of the holiday shopping season. While the mall will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, it will open at midnight Friday, 8 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday. "The first 100 customers to register at Guest Services (Upper Level by Macy's Furniture) beginning at midnight will receive a complimentary “Black Friday Survival Kit" gift bag," said Jennifer Walker of Brave PR. "Enjoy complimentary Starbucks Biscotti at 8 a.m. and Chick-fil-A coupons at 4 p.m. at Guest Services (while supplies last)." The mall will remain open until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Sunday, the mall will close at 7 p.m. While you're checking off items from your holiday …

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Weekend Spotlight: Santa Arrives in Cobb

Get ready for Santa's first stop in Cobb County at Town Center Mall in Kennesaw.

This week's Cobb, Douglas and Paulding Weekend Spotlight features the arrival of Santa Claus at Town Center at Cobb. Santa Claus makes his first stop of the season Friday evening in Kennesaw. Festivities take place from 6-8 p.m. in Center Court and include entertainment by Radio Disney, face painting, holiday activities and more. St. Nick will be escorted to his holiday home with live reindeer at 7 p.m. outside the Food Court Main Entrance. Plus, the first 200 children visiting Santa that evening will receive a special gift (no purchase necessary), and all guests will receive festive giveaways (while supplies last) throughout the event. Got a great event coming up in your community? Upload it onto your Patch, then email Editor Angela Chao …

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When Do You Take Your Tree Down?

If you celebrate Christmas, when is the best time to take down a tree? Take our poll and share your thoughts in our comments section.

When is the right time to take down a Christmas tree? Or, is there a "right" time? Some believe take it down a few days after Christmas. Some believe it's bad luck to leave it up after New Year's Eve. Others count the 12 days of Christmas through Jan. 6, the Epiphany. What do you think and what do you do (the answers may be different).Take our poll and share your thoughts in our comments section.

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Julia Harris

9:12 am on Wednesday, December 28, 2011

My family kept the Christmas tree and decorations up until New Years Day, too. I've continued the tradition.   more ›

No Fuss, Prepared Holiday Meals

No time to cook? Here's a list of places near Northeast Cobb that will prepare your holiday meal for you.

Life gets busy, especially in December with holiday parties, travel, guests and shopping. If you don't have time to cook an elaborate holiday meal, you can have a meal delivered to your home. Choose from a variety of holiday selections for a delicious and easy gourmet meal that will leave your guests fighting over the leftovers. Buy pre-cooked meals that are seasoned to perfection or packaged ingredients that you assemble and cook. Most of the options below offer traditional sliced ham or turkey breast meal packages. Whole Foods Market can save you energy and time. You can order a variety of holiday dinner packages to heat and serve, such as holiday ham or turkey. There is a vegan holiday dinner option. Order your holiday meals, appetizers…

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Neighbors Ask. Neighbors Answer.

Wii: A Good Buy For Kids and Fitness?

A neighbor asks a question that you may be able to answer.

I am thinking of buying a Nintendo Wii for my children and also to use as a fitness motivator for our family. I visited Walmart yesterday. The $149 price seems a good deal, but it seems that many games require additional accesories that do not come with the system purchase. Our family wants games for the kids and family ("active" games like bowling and Zumba). If you have a Wii, would you recommend it? Do you have any advice for a first-time buyer? Thank you, and Merry Christmas! Sarah Hannigan

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Julia Harris

6:17 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011

Hi Sarah, I included the Wii review because it provides an overview and talks about the accessories you may have to purchase depending on what games you want for the system.   more ›

Share Your Holiday Recipes

What’s that one recipe you cannot live without at Christmastime? Share it with Marietta neighbors here.

The holidays are all about tradition, and the foods served at those special meals are a large part of the celebrations. What are the recipes that your family wants every holiday? Share them in comments and maybe a new tradition will be started for another family. The following recipe, from Brenda Marshall's The Charles Dickens Cookbook, is from a letter Dickens wrote in 1847 to a friend. It contains alcohol so is for adults only. Charles Dickens’ Very Own Christmas Punch Makes around 10–15 glasses-full. Recipe ingredients: Recipe method: Put the rum, mineral water and sugar into a large saucepan. Heat the mixture in the pan on a low temperature for 10 minutes. Do not allow the punch to boil, but stir continuously to dissolve the sugar. …

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Hanging Holiday Lights Outside

Watch this video to learn the best way to hang holiday lights from your house gutter.

Decorating the outside of your home for the holidays is a great way to celebrate the season. Hanging lights on your gutter is an easy way to make a big impact. Home Depot show you how in this quick video. You can find everything you need for this project at the Northeast Cobb Home Depot.

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