Want to Track Santa? There's an App for That

The North American Aerospace Defense Command has a website that now offers a mobile app to track the jolly man's magical flight, plus games and activities, in addition to its Santa tracker.

Some people on Mercer Island simply can't wait 'til Christmas morning to find out if Santa Claus gave them a visit. For those who are impatient, don't worry. You can keep tabs on the big guy by following the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, website dedicated to Claus' coordinates. (Click here to visit the NORAD Tracks Santa website) But the site is more than an enhanced GPS. It also contains a "Kids Countdown Village," which offers games, activities and other features for young ones who eager for Santa, and a mobile app for Windows 8, Windows Phone, Android, or iPhone. On the twitterverse, you can follow Norad at @NoradSanta, or follow Norad's Santa Central on Facebook for instant updates. The reason NORAD tracks Santa, …

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Holiday Recipe: Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies

A cookie that tastes just like a candy cane hot chocolate.

I love candy cane hot chocolates. And Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses are delicious, and only available this time of year. So, what perfect way to honor the delicious holiday treat than with their very own cookie? Be sure to refrigerate the dough so you can work with it. I found it easiest to make the cookies even by using a cookie scoop and then rolling the dough with my hands. Enjoy these warm as you pull them out of the oven (the Kisses will be melty from the warm cookie) or with milk as a special treat. These are perfect cookies for holiday guests or for a cookie exchange. Ingredients Directions Don’t miss any Cumming news. Subscribe to Cumming Patch’s free newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Holiday Guide: Your One Stop Shop

Visit our "Holiday Guide" on Cumming Patch - it's your one stop shop for just about everything Christmas.

Question of the Week: Will You Use Snail Mail For Your Shipping Needs During The Holidays?

The United States Postal Service is expecting record use of its services.

According to a press release, the United States Postal Service is projecting it will ship about 365 million packages this holiday season. USPS made the announcement earlier this month on their predictions, which is a 20 percent increase from how much business it did during the 2011 holiday season.  The agency believes the increase is due to customers embracing online shopping. USPS also projects about 18 billion cards, letters and packages will be delivered through New Year's Eve. How much will you use USPS for your shipping needs this holiday season? 

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When Do Holiday Shopping Hours Begin?

Wondering when the holiday shopping hours begin at local stores? We've got some answers for you below.

With Halloween behind us, retailers and shoppers are now staring down some of the biggest shopping days of the year - both in stores and online. The National Retail Federation expects sales during November and December to rise 4.1 percent this year, according to a USA Today report. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, has become the accepted if unofficial start time of the Christmas rush. It's a huge day for retailers but only the first of a roughly month-long extravaganza. And thanks to Abe Lincoln, who decreed Thanksgiving a national holiday, Franklin D. Roosevelt, who signed into law that it should fall on the fourth Thursday in November, and Pope Gregory XIII, who blessed the calendar we use by papal bull, 2012 has the longest …

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