Holidays.MyNC.com

This post was submitted by HB Fuller.

The Post Office says Monday will be the busiest mailing day of the year, when 839 million cards and letters will be processed.

That’s nearly double their usual volume.  The busiest delivery day will be Wednesday, Dec. 16.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Postal Service expects to deliver 16.6 billion letters, packages and cards.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Santa Claus is coming to town.

The Macy’s Santa Claus will stop in Raleigh Monday to visit Make-A-Wish children as part of a 25-city tour.

Santa Claus appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York before beginning the tour.

He will greet all the good little boys and girls at the Crabtree Valley Mall Macy’s starting at 5:30 p.m. near the “Believe” station on the first level.

Before his public visit, Santa will have a special get together with children from the local “Make-A-Wish” program.

As part of Macy’s “Believe” campaign, Macy’s is collecting letters to Santa Claus at each store. Macy’s will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for every letter received, up to $1 million.

In 1862 Macy’s introduced Santa Claus to his home-away-from-home at Macy’s on 14th Street.

As time passed Macy’s expanded, moving Santa to the store’s new location on 34th street in 1902. In 1924, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade stepped off for the first time to usher in the season and bring Santa to the store to unveil the store’s famous Christmas windows.

Many decades later, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has become the official start of the holiday season each year bringing the one-and-only Santa Claus to town. In 1947, Santa was immortalized in the classic film “Miracle on 34th Street,” and his home at Macy’s was proclaimed.

Visit http://www.macys.com/believe to track Santa on his tour across America.

By Media General News Service

Ah, the perfect Christmas gift – is there really such a thing?

I know in years past, I have exhausted myself trying the find just the right gift for my loved ones.

Of course, they loved it and appreciated it so much.

But what is so funny is that I looked at my husband, Mike, the other day and said “What did I get you for Christmas last year?”

He replied with “What did I get you last year?”

Well after some brain searching, we both remembered the gifts and said how much we loved them.

My point being why do we rack our brains and kill ourselves to make sure everybody has the perfect gift?

It is important to show the special people in our lives how much we love them, but perhaps there are some different, more meaningful ways to do just that. Read the rest of this entry »

This post was submitted by Erica Webb.

Downtown Holly Springs celebrates the season with Christmas carols, hayrides and other festivities culminating in a tree lighting at Holly Springs Cultural Center on Friday, Dec. 11 from 6-8 p.m.

Admission is free.

Santa Claus will visit with kids in the lobby of Town Hall while Mrs. Claus reads to kids at the cultural center.

This will be the third year for Main Street Christmas, which is held in and around Town Hall at 128 S. Main St. and at the cultural center, which is a block away at 300 W. Ballentine St. Holly Springs Parks and Recreation Department organizes the event.

The Happy Holly Days Christmas Parade is the following morning, Dec. 12, at 11 a.m.

All aboard! Come join the Crabtree Rotary and Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department as Pullen Park will be festively decorated with thousands of lights and transformed into a winter wonderland!

December 10 to 13
Pullen Park 520 Ashe Avenue Raleigh
4 to 9 p.m.

Due to Santa’s busy schedule, Santa will only be onsite until 9 p.m., but rides will continue through 9:30 p.m.

Children and adults alike will enjoy this holiday experience as they take the ride of a life time aboard the Santa Express Train! Experience an unforgettable adventure through acres of pure holiday magic where thousands of lights dazzle your senses and then stop off at Santa’s Village where you’ll meet Santa himself! The evening will also feature concessions, carousel rides, holiday entertainment and more!

By Bill Reh
NBC17 Meteorologist

Parkwood, in south Durham, held their annual Christmas parade on Sunday, Dec. 6. I got the honor of being Grand Marshall and got to ride with the Jordan Cheerleaders. Many floats, antique cars, and bands covered the 1.5-mile parade route.

Downtown Holly Springs celebrates the season with Christmas carols, hayrides and other festivities culminating in a tree lighting at Holly Springs Cultural Center on Friday, Dec. 11 from 6-8 p.m.

Admission is free. Everyone is welcome.

Santa Claus will visit with kids in the lobby of Town Hall while Mrs. Claus reads to kids at the cultural center.

This will be the third year for Main Street Christmas, which is held in and around Town Hall at 128 S. Main St. and at the cultural center, which is a block away at 300 W. Ballentine St. Holly Springs Parks and Recreation Department organizes the event.

The Happy Holly Days Christmas Parade is the following morning, Dec. 12, at 11 a.m.

For more information, contact Holly Springs Cultural Center at (919) 567-4000 (919) 567-4000.