Mar-Lu-Ridge Conference and Educational Center in Jefferson, Maryland is hosting a Family Campfire on Sunday, December 13, 2009 beginning at 4 p.m. There is no charge to participate. All are invited to join at the large outdoor campfire circle located at the end of Mar-Lu-Ridge Road atop Catoctin Ridge near Jefferson. Celebrate the joys of Christmas with songs, stories, snacks, fellowship and a roaring fire – the perfect wholesome outdoor family activity in this busy season. Any questions can be answered by calling (800) 238-9974 or by e-mailing Sarah@Mar-Lu-Ridge.org. Mar-Lu-Ridge is located atop Catoctin Ridge off Mountville Road at 3200 Mar-Lu-Ridge Road, Jefferson, MD 21755. The camp’s web site is: www.Mar-Lu-Ridge.org.

Thanks, Beth!

Coinstar coin counting is free when you turn your coins into a gift card or eCert. Now through December 6th when you cash in $40 or more, Coinstar will send you a holiday bonus worth $10.

To take advantage of this offer, take $40 or more in coins to a Coinstar machine and choose a pre-paid gift card in lieu of cash. Afterwards, mail in the bottom portion of your receipt, and Coinstar will mail you a $10 gift card for the same brand you originally cashed in for. Offer ends 12/06/2009.

Gift cards include Amazon.com, Eddie Bauer, iTunes, Borders, JC Penney, CVS, Lowe’s, Regal Entertainment, and Starbucks.

If you swap your coins for cash, the fee is 8.9%, and you get no holiday bonus.

Coinstar locations here.

Rules here.

Every week through December 13, create, add to, or share an Amazon Wish List, and you’ll receive an email inviting you to enter Amazon’s Wish List 10th Anniversary Sweepstakes. You’ll have to enter anew each week the sweepstakes runs to be considered for that week’s prizes. Amazon Wish List

Starbucks will merge its two rewards programs, Starbucks Card Rewards and Starbucks Gold, into a single program, My Starbucks Rewards. The new program, which requires more interactions before the benefits kick in than the current programs, will debut 12/26.

My Starbucks Rewards cherry picks from both previous programs. All of the schemes are based off stored-value cards. Similar to the Starbucks Gold program, participants are given a free birthday beverage when the card is registered. And like the soon-to-be-phased-out Starbucks Card Rewards, My Starbucks Rewards will not have an annual fee.

Details here.

Free tours 2 nights only: October 30 & 31, 7-10pm

Tour the 100+ year old inn as the innkeeper tells you the story of HAUNTED BRADDOCK.

Free:
Cookies
Candy
Hot Cider
Juice & Punch
Haunted Tours
Costume Contest

Hosted by HOME at Braddock Inn, 4830 Schley Avenue, Braddock Heights. 301-371-0411.

Spirit Halloween (a Spencer Gifts subsidiary) is currently set up where Sunny’s Surplus used to be (1003 W Patrick St, Frederick).

They’ve got a decent selection of costumes and Halloween-themed accessories and decorations. They’re a bit pricey, so you’ll definitely want to take a coupon with you when you go.