Every year, I make what I call my family yearbook for my kids. It is not really a Christmas present so much as a reminder of all the great things that we did the previous year. I have used several different services for these yearbooks (Collage.com; WalMart Photo, and Mixbook.com). As you look forward to what your plans are for next year – and setting any kind of New Year’s Resolutions, do you look back and see what great times the previous year held? Do you do anything with all those photos in your camera (or do you just post them on social media sites)?
Noon Years Eve. The Children’s Museum of Denver hosts their annual Noon Year’s Eve complete with ball drops every half hour. The event has proven so successful – they are hosting the event at the Butterfly Pavillion. Events are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information visit: http://www.mychildsmuseum.org/events/noon-years-eve.aspx
New Years Eve RTD is free. If you are planning to go downtown (or to other parts of town) to see fireworks or for a party. The Light Rail (http://www.rtd-denver.com/) service is free from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (not that I think you will be out with your kiddos at 6 a.m.) or you can call a cab and Sawaya Law Firm will reimburse the cost of the cab ride. (http://www.sawayalaw.com/Free-Holiday-Cab-Rides.shtml)
Redbox. Maybe you are staying in like my family is planning. We will get a few movies from Redbox and sit down with our popcorn. We learned that if you rent your movies from a Redbox at KingSoopers you can get one for free by using the promo code FAMILY. (We also hear HAPPYNEWYEAR works as well).
Denver Art Museum. The Denver Art Museum gives your little ones something to do this holiday break. They can participate in jewelry making and other family fun as their admission to the museum is FREE now through January 4, 2015.
Avalanche Family Pack. Family Night at the Colorado Avalanche means you can socre four tickets, four meals (chicken tenders, pizza, hot dog or nachos) and four Pepsi’s for just $119. The next one will be January 4, 2015. (Information can be found at http://avalanche.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=92101)
AMF Dollar Mania. At AMF Bowling lanes Mondays are only $1. Games are only $1 and shoe rental only $1 from 8 p.m. to close. My family has an AMF Bowling center near our house and the kids love it when I let them stay up late during school breaks (my daughter is a total night-owl).
Monogram/Name Necklace. I love those necklaces that have a name on them and when it comes to fine monogrammed and name jewelry, MonogramOnline.com is in the top of its class — from silver and gold necklaces shaped into first names to cufflinks etched with initials. But that’s not all the gift-focused website is about – its huge selection of monogram-ready wares include, but are not limited to, iPhone cases, kitchenware, to sporting goods. There is something for everyone! 45% off store wide – use code BLOG45
A 1st Choice Cleaning. A 1st Choice Cleaning llc would like to thank you all for such a good year and give you a cleaning free great start to next year at their lowest prices of the year. Get four hours of cleaning for just $65.00 per clean. Never expires, can purchase up to 3 cleans and two gifts (tell them that Gretchen referred you).
-Gretchen
Free days this week
Jan. 2: Four Mile Historic Park, noon-4 p.m., fourmilepark.org
Jan. 3: Denver Art Museum, denverartmuseum.org;
Jan. 5: Denver Museum of Nature & Science, dmns.org
Expand your family
There are just three days left for the Dumb Friends League’s “A Home for the Holidays” adoption special continuing through Dec. 31. All cats and dogs one year and older are $10 for cats and $50 off for dogs. Adoption fees for horses at the Dumb Friends League Harmony Equine Center are 50 percent off. Initial vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, a microchip and free visit to a participating veterinarian are included in the cost. Visit shelters at 2080 S. Quebec St. in Denver and 4556 Castleton Ct. in Castle Rock. The equine center is in Franktown at 5540 E. Highway 86. Select PetSmart and Petco locations also house available cats. Call or visit the website for more details. 303-751-5772, ddfl.org
Shop for next year
Any remaining holiday items are discounted 50 percent at the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art. Ornaments, wrapping paper and holiday cards are included. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. 1311 Pearl St., 303-832-8576, kirklandmuseum.org
Timber!
Though you may get a bit misty-eyed at the thought of taking down your Christmas tree, all live ones must eventually be tossed. The good news is most Colorado communities sponsor free or low-cost recycling programs that turn your timber into garden mulch. Some offer curb-side pick-up, while others designate a drop-off site. Before recycling, be sure to read your program’s rules for tree preparation. Remove ornaments, lights, tinsel, nails, wire, garlands and stands. And note, many recyclers can’t accept flocked trees. A good rule of thumb — leave your tree for recycling in the same condition as you would find it naturally in the forest. bit.ly/1gUU0CY
Fare Deal
If you ring in the New Year with a bit of bubbly, you should not get behind the wheel. Thanks to two community-wide options, getting home safely is easy and free. All RTD services (rtd-denver.com), including light rail, are free from 7 p.m. on Dec. 31 until 6 a.m. on Jan. 1. If public transportation doesn’t suit you, the Sawaya Law Firm offers a free cab ride through New Year’s Day. It’s simple, just take a cab ride home, pay and get a receipt. They’ll cover the cost up to $35. The deal is only valid for a one-way ride to your residence and the trip must be within the metro area. For reimbursement instructions, visit sawayalaw.com/Free-Holiday-Cab-Rides.shtml
Reel movies
True cinephiles can dig deep into the movie world for just $1 during the Tattered Cover Film Series. The first Sunday of every month film critic Howie Movshovitz hosts the screening and discussion of a silver-screen classic, culled from the world’s finest filmmakers. This month’s selection on Jan. 4 is John Houston’s “Wise Blood.” Screenings are in the Sie FilmCenter (2510 E. Colfax Ave., Denver) and start at 2 p.m. denverfilm.org
– Laura Daily and Bryan K. Chavez
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Kids Eat Free Mile High Mamas has rounded up a huge listing of local restaurants where kids eat free or for a discount with a paying adult.
Author: Gretchen
Gretchen loves to be outdoors! She is addicted to coupons and finding the best deals or entering sweepstakes (one day she will win something really great!)
