What Are USPS Deadlines for Mailing Holiday Packages?

The U.S. Postal Service offers tips and suggestions so holiday packages arrive in time for the holidays.

Are you one of the many holiday revelers with families and friends spread all across the country and the world? If so, even before you dive into that gift list, it's important to know how early must you buy, wrap and post holiday gifts so they get to their destination in time for the holidays. Here are some suggestions and mailing deadline dates from the U.S. Postal Service to ensure your gifts are delivered on time and in one piece: Packing tips from the USPS: Calculated for December 25, 2012. Domestic Mail Class/Product Dates First-Class Mail® Service Dec. 20 Priority Mail® Service Dec. 21 Express Mail® Service Dec. 22 Destination Network Distribution Center (DNDC) Drop Ship Dec. 19 Destination Delivery Unit (DDU) Drop Ship Dec. 21 …

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Hallmark Health System Helping Families in Need This Holiday Season

Hallmark Health System is giving back to families in need this holiday season through its annual Toy Drive.

Moms Christmas Gathering in Melrose

The event is slated for 9:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 200 Franklin St.

Do You Plan to Spend More Money this Holiday Season?

How will your finances affect your holiday spending?

Two-thirds of respondents to a recent poll by the NPD Group said they “plan to spend about the same” as last year, while 10 percent planned to “spend more.” With the economy and job situation still in flux for many families, we want to know what families in Howard County plan to do for Christmas, Hanukah or Kwanzaa gifts in 2012. Will you be more creative with your gifting? Use sites like Groupon, Living Social, etc? Brave Black Friday sales? Cook or bake for familty and friends?

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The 2012 Holiday Book List

Books make great holiday gifts. Give your loved ones these books as stocking stuffers this holiday season.

When you give a child or a teen a book, you are creating a memory that will last a lifetime. What’s more, reading offers so many options. Are you trying to find a book for an early reader? Choose a picture book or a Great Beginner Read from the list below. Does your grandchild love nonfiction? Take a look at the Great Family Reads section. Has your niece read every book known to man? There are some brand new books on this list that she may not have seen yet. Do you struggle to find just the right book to entice your child to read? These selections are sure kid-pleasers that will meet any interest. The ReadKiddoRead holiday gift list has something for everyone: realistic fiction, science fiction, and nonfiction; animal stories, mythology …

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2012 MBTA Thanksgiving Schedule

Taking the T for the Thanksgiving holiday? Make sure you check the schedule below.

[Editor's note: Information provided by the MBTA. Check the MBTA website for details on different schedules and lines.] Wednesday, Nov. 21 Thanksgiving - Thursday, Nov. 22 Friday, Nov. 23 Wednesday, Nov. 21 Thanksgiving - Thursday, Nov. 22 Friday, Nov. 23 Wednesday, Nov. 21 Thanksgiving - Thursday, Nov. 22 Friday, Nov. 23 Wednesday, Nov. 21 Thanksgiving - Thursday, Nov. 22 Friday, Nov. 23 Wednesday, Nov. 21 Thanksgiving - Thursday, Nov. 22 Friday, Nov. 23  Check with each RIDE contractor for details on Thanksgiving service:

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Retailers Release Black Friday Ads

Start planning your Black Friday shopping now.

The Thanksgiving tradition of flipping through the Black Friday newspaper circulars won’t be quite the same this year as many national retailers have already released their Black Friday ads online. Here are just a handful of the circulars, previews and deals you can find online today: Walmart  Target Michaels AC Moore  Kohls Best Buy Toys R Us Sports Authority Modells  Dick’s Sporting Goods  Macys  This list is just a sampling of the many online circulars and specials. To search for more, check out these sites for Black Friday sales or check each individual business: The Black Friday  BF Ads

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TELL US: Should Mass. Blue Laws Be Eliminated?

Blue laws prohibit retailers from opening before midnight on Black Friday.

Black Friday is starting earlier than ever, as some national retailers have announced they will open the night of Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 22. However, here in Massachusetts, state blue laws prohibit stores from opening until midnight, according to a report by the Boston Globe.  Current blue laws prohibit retailers in the state from opening on Thanksgiving, thus preventing them from getting an early start on Black Friday sales, according to the Globe article. Some exceptions are restaurants, health care facilities and gas stations.  The laws, instituted in the 17th century, are intended to make sure holidays are properly observed, according to the Boston Globe.  Are Massachusetts' blue laws outdated? Should they be eliminated? Tell us …

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15 Shopping Deals And Bargains This Week

Craig Foster won a $25 gift certificate to Grumpy Doyle's in our shopping tip contest this week.

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Patch Picks

Thanksgiving in Melrose: The Best Restaurants and Prepared Foods

For this week's Patch Picks, we asked where you'd go outside of your own kitchen for a turkey fix.

Turkey Day is just around the corner, and sure, you could spend hours in the kitchen whipping up gravy, stuffing and yams. Or you could have someone else do the cooking for you. So for this week's Patch Picks, we asked: What are the best Melrose restaurants where you can celebrate Thanksgiving? (Nearby is OK, too.) Also, we asked best places to pick up prepared foods—cakes, chicken pies, etc.—for your Thanksgiving Day dinner. Here's what you told us:

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